Fidel Castro died and I saw this picture on National Geographic’s Instagram link here https://instagram.com/p/BNRuQD3jSjI/ I was disgusted and angry.  I didn’t know much about his dictatorship until now and I guess people didn’t prefer his leadership either.  Probably the reason why Americans weren’t allowed to travel to Cuba.  Only recently was the first commercial flight in years.

Though in the picture I see two little girls probably barely able to read, learning to shoot guns, UGH! Then my mind changed perception and thought those girls are going Lorena Bobbitt on his self, yeah for them.  A second later I thought oh no,  just what the NRA needs, they would love to capitalize on that picture for their campaign.  Then reason and disgust with anger deepened and I saw another picture of those two same young friends coming to me with bowls on their heads,  cookie sheets attached to their chests and backs along with guns they pulled from their parents closets saying “Were ready for war.” and their moms reply back once her adrenaline laced mommy bear instinct kicked in pulling the guns away from them ” No child of mine is going to war, you’ll have to wait till your 18.”  She almost breaks down in tears as she hides the guns in a place where they don’t know and will never find out. 

Picture your Kindergarteners going off to war, fighting with real guns and bullets. It is a disgusting crime against humanity. It wasn’t just Cuba where this has happened, here is a link to an article put out by the United Nations https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/effects-of-conflict/six-grave-violations/child-soldiers/ . When did protecting children from the dangers of the world stop? I then remind myself of the movie Life is Beautiful where most of the time a father tries to keep his child from not knowing he is going through the tortures of death camp. Watch here https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WqPV-nuDulw . I know we want to teach children to see all sides but sometimes distraction is good but not in this scenario where we are required to protect our children and ourselves, be open minded see, read, hear everything.        You have to see all the stories, dissect them because I know you as someone who may have your own young children, you don’t want to see your own child hurt or dead.  See all the possible imagery even if it requires you to respond in two different ways.  If you do see different stories question why?  Know there is conflict out there http://cnn.it/2fFwYa3 in more than one country.

Which leads me to mention part of the reason your person didn’t win or won was because you may have not known all the stories.  Take on this responsibility as an individual, a person, a human being or just someone who knows young children shouldn’t be holding guns.  See everything and react appropriately to all scenarios but above all save your children, yourself our country from danger.

– Jennie Nawrocki 

I don’t have a formula that will create all families to stop arguing, countries to stop conquering, and political parties to achieve the more than the simple majority.  Though I know to be on a workable relationship you need the large majority.  People are different in so many ways and have motivations that aren’t always clear.  Though you know if they truly are your friend, trust comes natural.  That friendly bond allows you to be more willing to talk about issues even bring up those tough conversations, maybe even consider their radical ideas.  You are able to because you know you can trust them because you trust their motives.  Motives for learning, motives for living, and especially their motives for being your friend.  Find someone, make them your friend for the simple reason of wanting more friends.

-Jennie Nawrocki 

The last presidential election I was very vague about who I wanted to be president because I believe in people making informed choices for who they wanted in office based upon their own moral and ethical values.  I still believe that and because regardless of what is occurring in my life, it is important to rehmember to stick with the idea: be kind, honest, generous and always treat others with respect.  It is no surprise I have been going through a rough patch trying to maintain a smile despite the events around me.  Last week was the first time in a long time a person came up to me, asked me a question and I didn’t think they had an another motive.  Stay positive without expecting anything has been my go to thought. This is the result when time after time it feels I make a plan, make a goal only to see them tore down due to external circumstances.  So again, I find myself making it through a maze of walls. So when I vote for a leader, I vote for one that has gone through the struggle of everyday life and still succeeds.  One who will keep the USA out of conflict, out of debt, out of sickness, and out of hungar.  I choose to remain confident that one day this country will see its troubles disappear by being a model of respect and honesty for the country it governs.  I want that so our country can maintain its status as the leader, trend setter and model for all other nations in the world, regardless of any challenge our country faces now.

George Washington was voted for because he brought our countries freedom, Lincoln was voted for because he believed in the abolitionist movement, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was voted for because he would bring social security and jobs to those deep in the Great Depression.  In these times when people weren’t doing well they voted for the person that would bring them out of their troubles.  So whether you feel we are doing not so well or well, regardless of your chosen party VOTE for the one who you know is going to bring you out of the troubles you have been facing.  VOTE for your and our countries future.

-Jennie Nawrocki