Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Issue #14 March-April 2017

An Independent Free Speech Newspaper for Socially Conscious Citizens Everywhere A Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library Online Publication

Opinion America

Trump Freak Show is No Laughing Matter

Oh well, here’s another email I just HAD to send. Surprise, we got the reality show we wanted but it’s definitely not TV ready. Even before Donald Trump started his pretend role as President, that dumb piece of poop started whining about crowds that showed up to watch him fuck up his moronic speech that we know he didn’t write and probably didn’t bother to read or even glance at before he read it for the smallest crowd

ever at a swearing-in of a President. From there it only

got worse as he spent more time crying his eyes out Staff & Contact Info—Page 2 that the media wasn’t being fair. Then things got even Our World—Page 3 worse when that dumbass sent one of his lapdogs, otherwise known as Sean Spicer—who proceeded to Social Issues—Pages 4-5 try and create a completely fictionalized version of Life & Times—Pages 6-7 reality, thinking no one would dare strike back. Well, of Series USA—Pages 8-9 course everyone did, and just when you think Trump Crime & Punishment—Pages 10-11 would lick his wounds and slink back under the rock he lives under, he ordered another one of his lapdogs, a A Year in Photographs—Pages 12-13 human scarecrow (and I do mean SCARE) named Book Excerpts—Pages 14-15 Kellyanne Conway to try and pass off another big Reprints—Pages 16-19 whopper that she stated was “alternative facts.” As Interactive Sites—Pages 20-25 this dumb Trump whore proceeded to lie on air to NBC the heat only intensified. Of course, as you can guess, Corner Cafe—Page 26 Saturday Night Live couldn’t wait to parody this fiasco

as only they could, and yes, THEY did. Melissa McCarthy played Spicer to the hilt that same week and it became the talk of the next week. She did such a good job that she instantly rivaled Alec Baldwin as Trump. Expect Emmy nods come later this year. And hey, if you think things couldn’t get any more like a bad soap opera, well, think again. Less than two weeks later Trump pissed off Mexico and Australia and kissed ass even further in favor of Russia all the while spilling one lie after another, then creating totally insane made up events, including having a ridiculous claim of a fake massacre play out like it really happened, only to be publicly debunked by the media for outright lying. And yes, even in the face of more scandal, Trump and his sad team of idiots orchestrated

a ban of Muslims only to be struck down hard by the legal system. Could a cable series be far behind?

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Opinion America

Staff

: Gary Brin : Patrick Izoli, James Ryerson, Jeremiah Platt, David Santiago, Manuel Saqueno, Casey Manning & Kate Blackwell : Brad Sawyer, Jarod Bradford, Miles Harper, Jeremy Washington & Todd Washington : Gary Brin : Courtesy of www.wikipedia.org & www.uaf.edu : Honolulu, Hawaii & Fairbanks, Alaska : Carlton Young

Opinion America is an online free publication of the Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library but operates separately. Views expressed in Opinion America are those of their contributors only and are published under existing free speech policies of the United States of America.

Email Contact Info

Email: [email protected]

Online Distribution by

Opinion America www.opinionamericanews.com

Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library www.nhlpl.com or www.nancyhankslincolnpubliclibrary.com

Beginning on page 20 is a special interactive section made available to all PDF editions of Opinion America. All organizations and news outlets listed are equipped with clickable site links that can be accessed directly from online e-book PDF editions at the provided links above or from saved desktop or external drive copies.

Articles featured in Opinion America are written by individuals who emailed us their opinions and experiences from across the United States. Material submitted is checked for accuracy to the best of our abilities in order to better inform our readers with the information provided. Unnecessary explicit sexual material, gossip, racist dialogue or unfocused ramblings will not be published. All material can be submitted anonymously for publication but must be emailed directly to [email protected] for consideration. Stories are reviewed in a first come, first serve basis for inclusion in upcoming issues based on social relevance of material emailed. Multiple stories and opinions from one writer are acceptable as well per each issue. Stories featured in Opinion America are from the point of view of each individual writer, and, or the subjects interviewed for a particular story, and may or may not reflect the views of Opinion America, and, or of companies associated. Opinion America credits itself on being a public freedom of free speech newspaper and therefore except for adjustments made to correct minor errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation—no censoring is done to material featured. All material submitted to Opinion America will be edited, corrected and reformatted to fit into available space whenever necessary before publication. Revisions of specific emailed material are sometimes made with the inclusion of the writer(s) if direct contact info is provided beforehand. Please note: No payment(s) of any kind is made for material(s) emailed to Opinion America. All submissions are made on a volunteer basis only. No exceptions.

© 2017 All Rights Reserved. Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Page 2

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Our World

Some Quotes for a Better Society “You can always hear a lie but you can never see it.” Anonymous “A liar’s punishment is, not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else.” “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” George Bernard Shaw “No one has ever become poor by giving.” “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to “Parents can only give good advice or put believe what is true.” [their children] on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” Soren Kierkegaard “In spite of everything, I still “Five percent of the people think; ten percent believe that people are really good at heart.” of the people think they think; and the other eighty-five percent would rather die than think.” Anne Frank

Thomas A. Edison “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

“We are all born ignorant, but one must work Eleanor Roosevelt hard to remain stupid.” “People are stupid. “Being ignorant is not so much a shame, They will believe a lie because they want to believe it’s true, as being unwilling to learn.” or because they are afraid it might be true.” Benjamin Franklin Terry Goodkind

“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser “Be who you are and say what you feel, today than he was yesterday.” because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and Bernard Baruch all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” “Two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, Abraham Lincoln and I’m not sure about the universe.” Albert Einstein “Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul. “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” I know, because I turned down the first offer often enough and held out for the fifty cents.” Mahatma Gandhi

Marilyn Monroe “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” J. K. Rowling Oscar Wilde “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.” Dr. Seuss George Washington “Good sex is like good bridge. If you don’t have a good “When people show you who they are, believe them.” partner, you’d better have a good hand.” Maya Angelou Mae West Page 3

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Cable News in the Republicans vs. the USA “ ” US is a Disgrace Trump Hires the Most In the last year or so I’ve watched as cable news has gone from being lackluster to totally being ineffective Incompetent Radical Morons in how they report news. They seem to treat everything as if they’re grading on a curve. They’re not for his Cabinet and aggressive about the stories they cover and whine endlessly when they are criticized or made fun of. It should be so easy to look at and see what they’re Complains at Being Called doing wrong but yet they still can’t see mistakes being made on a daily basis. Some of them try but most just Racist and Putin’s Puppet throw up their hands and act like it’s hopeless so why Can You Say Loser? bother trying to dig deeper than they have to. CNN has a major problem with kissing-up to those they #putinspuppet interview, to the point it seems like you’re watching The circus has come to town, oops, I mean to the Entertainment Tonight or Access Hollywood rather than office of President. It’s been a rollercoaster of terrible a news program. But MSNBC really goes down the mistakes and bungling so huge that even the worse ladder of drippy behavior with their constant whining mistakes made previously by others in political about how unfair situations are. Get real and realize scandals pale by comparison to this sad train wreck that whining isn’t helpful when someone is watching called the Trump Presidency. It’s not even the amount you, expecting 100% professional behavior, but seeing of bungling that is laughable but just the sheer crybabies boohooing endlessly, in fact it’s downright stupidity that seems to be afoot each and every day. A annoying to have to sit through something like this perfect example is the obvious carelessness of not knowing these people are getting paid to inform you vetting potential nominees for cabinet positions to see and all they do is cry about the fact the world isn’t a if there’s anything that could be a scandal waiting to trip to Disneyland. Cry me a river already OK, but happen, and yet time and time again it’s happened one bring more realism to reporting instead of junk. after another. Disgraced racist radical freak show Of course FOX News is the real blame for all of what clown Michael Flynn was the first to be forced from his the other cable news shows deal with. On FOX it’s position after his connection to Russian spies was nothing but nonstop complaining from the Far Right revealed. Like who didn’t see this coming? His radicals pitching their insane conspiracy theories, or connection to Russia was well-noted previous and still crying about this not being the 1950s anymore as they dumbass Donald Trump refused to drop Flynn until he spout racist diatribes each and every day about was forced to after public pressure. And then word whatever non-white group runs afoul of one of the leaked out that “toad prince” Reince Priebus was not human scum that populate FOX on a twenty-four hour up to the job as chief of staff—and this was from his cycle which for some reason no one wants to label as friend Christopher Ruddy who runs a fake news site hate speech, preferring to “wish upon a star” that this called Newsmax Media. No better clarity needed when type of disgusting behavior will simply just go away at one of your closest friends think you’re better off some point and everyone will get along. Yeah right. mopping floors than trying to handle a job that CBSN an online version of CBS News touts they are on requires a brain. As expected Priebus is a sad lackey twenty-four hours a day, uh-huh, if you consider they for Trump and made the openly stupid move of trying loop the broadcasts after two hours and cycle it to get the FBI to quell the Russian-Trump connection throughout. Yeah, that’s not twenty-four hour news. story that has been gaining steam as late after Trump That’s two hours worth of news run all day. And yep, ordered him to do it. Like did that pinhead think this they also whine endlessly about not being respected. I story wouldn’t break? Of course when it broke, Trump guess someone forgot to tell them that respecting and his team of morons were more upset at the leaks others doesn’t mean it’ll be reciprocated, especially if AND not that they attempted to broke the law. But this they’re dealing with human slugs. The bottom line is if fiasco of a lame administration couldn’t be complete the media—cable news in particular—wants to be without some comic relief in the form of a newspaper respected for their efforts—maybe they should actually mistaking Alec Baldwin’s photo playing Trump for start doing their jobs, asking the tough questions, not Trump himself and printing it. Well, Baldwin is superb trying to be anyone’s friend or being respectable. in his portrayal of Trump so might as well use his Page 4

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

photo—and let’s face it here and now, Baldwin is a far To add a (?) to the endless fiction that Trump inspires better looking Putin’s Puppet than the real thing. daily, a “blind” GOP stooge said Kellyanne Conway was But the clown show of cartoonish freaks still had more pretty. Pretty? Look—here’s the unvarnished truth gameplay before the month was out and they played folks—she’s a scarecrow with lipstick. And I shouldn’t their hand—wanting to add their two cents of idiotic be insulting scarecrows because at least they have a commentary to the mix. Everyone’s favorite ignoramus real job. Her job is to make stuff up every chance she troll Mike Huckabee had the audacity to comment on gets when she’s not kneeling between Trump’s legs. the Oscars, saying that people attending were spewing In other news throughout the month the media ignorant venom. Really, maybe Huckabee should look wondered aloud how unorganized Trump was at being in the mirror since he does nothing but spew ignorant President. Gee, you’d think by now they would have venom. I swear if there is ever a law to put people like guessed that his six bankruptcies was indication him to death for being too stupid to live, I say let’s get enough that it’s not that he’s disorganized, because he the injections ready, because he most certainly should is, but his failure to lead is because he’s LAZY. Plain be put out of his misery. Then racist KKK Crown and simple, he’s bad at everything he does, including Dragon Jeff Sessions decided to do one better and nonstop lying because he’s too lazy to fact check again stated a comment he’d made previous about something before he blabs it. How sad for him that he “good people don’t smoke weed” but of course this can’t see his shortcomings but always seem to point jackass should look at himself before commenting on out other people’s faults. Of course this falls under his anyone’s behavior since “good people aren’t racists” lack of character, blaming others for mistakes he which he is and a proud one too, truth must be told. made. Time and time again he has blamed others for Still other idiotic fools out there had to play their own his mistakes and for some reason those blamed always game too and this time it was Mike Pence who gets the accept blame and never speaks up for themselves proud title of hypocrite after it was revealed his emails despite the fact they know it wasn’t them that screwed while he was governor of Indiana were hacked. This up. I know most of his “yes” men are total boobs in worthless excuse for a human being spent endless their own right when it comes to doing anything right, amounts of energy trashing Hillary Clinton for her but seriously, how pathetic are you to let someone else email debacle, and when confronted he tried to place their blame on you when you know in that downplay it like his email fiasco was no big deal. Is specific instance you didn’t screw up uber royally? that so? Clinton’s emails were never hacked as far as Trump recently made a huge faux pas when he stated anyone knows, but his was, according to reports. This how much he loved the First Amendment right after he tool of the devil sure has most people fooled with his pretty much tried to ban the media from covering his pretend religious morality. Yeah, like whatever, he’s misdeeds. I guess he thinks free speech only applies to nothing more than a so-called Christian who uses God him and everyone else has no rights whatsoever. as a prop and in reality isn’t any better than those who To finish off his endless array of crazy talk, this turd of don’t believe there is a god. In fact, I’m sure they’re a human being stated with a straight “orange” face better people. More importantly for someone who after more leaks came about his ties to Russia that claims to be all about God, maybe he should brush up sources need to be named and went further saying the on the commandments. Like the ones that states “thou leakers should say these things to his face. Oops, I shalt not lie” and “thou shalt not bear false witness guess someone should tell him when he states crazy against thy neighbor.” Of course I’m sure he thinks crap he should name his sources as well. Oh that’s those rules apply to everyone else and not him. Bet right, he thinks this whacked way of thinking only you anything on judgment day he’ll be wishing he had applies to others and not him when he makes up all been a better person because God will certainly not be sorts of conspiracy theories stating he was “told” in a forgiving mood and certainly will be tempted to something or “someone” told him. Oh, how about he toss Pence into the fiery pits of hell where he belongs lets us know the name of his sources in the “birther” after how hateful a person he’s been forevermore. story he started then tried to hide from? More Throughout the month of February there has been a importantly if someone were to come forward and tell wellspring of bad news. The latest to realize Trump him to his face what they think of him, trust me, that couldn’t care less about them is farmers in California. crazy pansy wouldn’t be able to handle harsh truth. Some of them had the nerve to admit they voted for And since we’re talking naming sources, maybe Putin’s him and now are shocked because of Trump’s hateful Puppet should name his sources from his latest racism toward migrant workers these farmers might ludicrous statement that President Obama tapped his lose their farms. Oh I need a handkerchief. I think they (Trump) phone, without one shred of proof. In reality should be forced out of business instead of anyone this is just another Trump smokescreen to get the trying to help them. These ungrateful cretins should media away from the story that his guy Sessions lied learn how it is to be destitute and homeless in the age about being in cahoots with the Russians trying to fix of Trump. Nothing would be sweeter than to find out in the 2016 election in his favor. Let’s talk about the a few months time they all lost their farms and were Sessions story and of the “sources” he claims told him forced into shelters. Wonder if they’ll still think Putin’s about the wiretapping. Oh wait, he got the info from Puppet has their backs as they’re begging for scraps at fake news kings FOX News & Breitbart News. No some desolate stretch of highway in California? wonder he can’t ever tell the truth—he believes lies.

Page 5

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Life & Times

September 11—I’ve been working so hard lately to try and make deals with several local printing Honolulu Diary companies to republish public domain books that Part 4 could make money but no one wants to really help and it’s so frustrating with every attempt. © 2013 Street Beat News

Note: This is a real-life diary. For the record, the events mentioned September 14—A lot more time spent helping out in this diary occurred several years ago in 2008 and 2009. Remaining at Ala Moana Park on Saturday afternoon with a parts will be serialized in future issues of Opinion America. religious group I’ve been talking to, but other August 26—A lot more things to deal with every than that not much good people out there to day being homeless and the depression seems to make an effort and get to know or like. be getting the best of me—how can people be happy if they’re homeless? How? Tell me? September 15—I’ve been noticing a lot more people at Kapiolani and Ala Moana Parks August 29—I’m still making trips to the Main pretending to be mentally ill in order to gain Library downtown, trying to spend my time people’s trust and sympathy, but the minute wisely. Buying certain foods to eat rather than those who truly want to help leave, they burst going to feedings since many of them are filthy out laughing, making fun of how they are using and run by people who have no idea they’re these idiots and think it’s cool to be deceitful. making people sick or seem to care if they do. September 19—I spent some time lately hanging September 3—I’ve been hanging out with a out with the young guy who now stays at church group lately at Ala Moana Park on Diamond Head. Sometimes he comes with me to Saturdays. They seem like nice people for a the feeding on Saturdays at Ala Moana Park and change and that’s saying a lot believe me. afterwards we walk all the way back to Waikiki and then to Diamond Head. We have long talks September 4—A lot of drama from what I hear and though his outlook on everything is negative, going on at Kapiolani Park. Bob Erb and his I think I’ve been influencing him to be a better creepy minions are really working people to feel person. At least I think so from his behavior. like zeros. Not that that’s hard to do. September 20—A lot more criminal behavior September 6—Oh well, some weird guy the other going on at Kapiolani Park thanks to the rotten day was bragging to me that he has AIDS and is apples that seem to think taking other people’s going to spread it to as many women as he can belongings is OK. I was talking to the young guy before he croaks. Told me he’s already banged at a recent feeding and while he was getting his some whore in a bathroom at Waikiki Beach. I food he told me someone jacked his watch which gather she must be a dog herself as he’s not he foolishly left on a mat. I was standing nearby, much to look at in the first place. Said he was waiting for him, but whoever took it, did it so fast from Oregon and came here initially to be I didn’t see anything. But of course he should’ve homeless. I guess that’s a career move for some known better as no one who hangs at the park people. Serves him right though that he got AIDS should be trusted since they’re a bunch of career from screwing some hooker he didn’t even know homeless drug addicts who’ll do anything for who probably gave other guys like him the same money and not think twice about it no matter nasty surprise without telling them either. what they say otherwise to anyone if asked. These are the same types that raid other September 7—I’ve been staying away from homeless people’s camps up on Diamond Head feedings in general but the feedback I get from during the day. That’s why I can’t leave anything people is that those religious crazies are making behind worth stealing or it’ll be gone when I sure everyone in the parks are so confused they come back. Yep, these types are a bunch of real have no idea whom to turn to for help. Of course winners all right. No doubt about it for sure. a lot of them don’t care either way, anyway.

Page 6

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

September 21—I so agree—oh yeah I do—being It’s so easy for these people to blame the cops homeless is really fun every day and every night for harassing them when in actuality they’re on Oahu. So many wonderful things to see and creating the problems by hanging out at the do—no worries about employment, about rules, parks or malls at night when they know they’re responsibilities, or morals—I recommend it to not welcomed. Maybe they should stop complaining anyone looking for the real version of carelessly and blaming everyone else for their lot in life and living the high life on other people’s money. Not see that they’re their own worst enemy. sure why others aren’t embracing the idea and trying it. Come on, you’ll love what it has to September 30—I guess there is a God after all. offer. Only winners need apply for this job. Yesterday afternoon while I was hanging out with the young guy for a feeding at Kapiolani Park September 22—I’m feeling way depressed today. there was a stabbing across the way on the other I just can’t shake how this life is zapping any side of the park near the bandstand area—and hope I have left. I carefully spend what little aid I the recipient of this attack was none other than have on food that isn’t bad for my health. Forcing Jason East. Oh, man, God has a wry sense of yourself to live on only ten dollars a day isn’t humor, as nobody deserved that more than this easy—but it beats going to feedings and getting pervert. Not long ago I was told he had a long rap sick from people who don’t know how to prepare sheet for child molesting—big surprise there—I food correctly. But for the masses they have no always felt like he was a creep from the first day choice since they’ve blown their food stamps on I met him and, well, this is the results of creating expensive food or traded it in for drug money. I misery for others—and enjoying it. just can’t believe people play this game for To make this story better I was told one of his decades until they finally kick it in some lonely victim’s relatives confronted him at River of Life ditch by the side of some road somewhere on Mission in Chinatown and threatened him. Usually Oahu where no one will ever remember you ever I’d frown on this sort of behavior but he deserves lived. It is so sad to see a life end this way. what he got, though it would’ve been so much better if he’d been killed by his attacker. But the September 26—I try, and try to remain positive miserable creep survived after being brutally every day that goes by. So much bad stuff stabbed in the neck, I assume by the relative of happening around me on any given day—I try to one of his victim’s. The cops either pretended to ignore it as much as possible by keeping to not know this was the real cause of the attack or myself all the time, even on weekends. Most tried to act the part, nevertheless they said later people aren’t worth getting to know anyway, so I it was a homeless man who attacked Jason. But have to accept that being away from people is let him go soon after. What does that say? better as no one can mess with you if you don’t As the attack was happening the young guy and I show weaknesses to potential predators—and I commented on the commotion but didn’t know don’t mean the sexual kind either. Predators until a little later what had happened. The among the homeless exist as petty thieves, liars, feeding went on as usual and later most people opportunists waiting for the right moment to zap were joking about it, seemingly upset that Jason you, and bullies. But if you avoid people like this hadn’t been killed. No one at the feeding seemed and focus on a goal, any goal, then you’ll be fine to be upset and who can blame them? He’s a until you can figure out what to do so you can pervert who has been masquerading as a born escape from the hellish nightmare called being again Christian for way too long and finally he homeless. Seems impossible but it’s not if you was given just punishment by a higher source. think about solutions to work through. But no wonder—these born again Christian cults are so crippled for new members—look what they September 27—I make the same trip every day have to work with when it comes to so-called from Diamond Head to downtown Honolulu and members—perverts, bullies, schemers, and liars. then hang at the Main Library adding to my list of Honestly, I know it sounds mean but I can’t reading material. I see people there every day pretend. I’m not sorry one bit what happened to sleeping—what a waste—by the end of the day him and think that he got what he deserved. they’ve achieved nothing and of course at night A lesson should be learned from what happened they get into mischief with nothing to do—but yesterday at Kapiolani Park—behave this way and then again that’s not their fault either—is it? this sort of thing can happen to you also.

Page 7

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Series USA Nashville

© 2014 Street Beat News

Making it in Music Town Not that there haven’t been a lot of people who’ve become successful after they turned the big 30—it’s Summer 2014 just harder to impress when everyone starts thinking you’re washed up and old. I got a lot of songs in me Being a Singer from Nowhere is Quite Hard but really want to do good by who knows me and see

I’m not into the fast times but into the real deal of I made the move last week to music city and here I’m being in the business—and that’s because I have good willing to work hard to be a country singer in a city stories to tell through songs. It’s usually the same tale known for having thousands of hopefuls. But I just everyone has but mine will be about never letting have to try it now rather than later. I’ve just come people ruin your dreams because they’re selfish and through a bad relationship—with nothing else going for only want to focus on what will make them rich. me except my voice—maybe this is my chance to break away finally from the restraints of a small town upbringing. So many people as I entered Bicentennial Funny Guy on the Street Mall today after coming from a Farmer’s Market nearby. The mall was OK—sort of quaint but decent by After having a quick bite to eat I saw this guy trying standards—though I’m accustomed to grander settings out his comedic routine on tourists who found his coming from Houston where everything is huge. timing cute. His impersonations were OK—but making fun of people who’ve died isn’t exactly nice when you Homeless Selling Papers on Broadway think of how he was portraying them. But it was still funny if you knew who he was pretending to be with a dead-on copy of their most famous type of Today was my first real facing the city and walking mannerisms. He had Buddy Holly, Marty Robbins, down Broadway the usual scene greeted me like it George Jones, Jerry Reed, and Jim Reeves down usually did in Houston. Homeless people hanging on perfectly. But his Johnny Cash was a bit shaky. I think the street giving it sort of a seamy look as they this guy should move to Hollywood and try his stuff seemed unwilling to move from the corner they were there since they would have an understanding of what hanging out at—while a few blocks down I saw other he seemed to want to accomplish for his audience. homeless people selling some sort of paper to anyone who wanted one. I guess this sort of thing is better to keep someone without a job (and the good sense to Crazy Crime Caper Caught on Tape use the chance to improve their minds by using their time for something constructive) occupied. The people While watching the impersonations I caught a crime in looked OK—but hopefully they are not using the extra progress as some dude tried to jack a liquor store money made to buy drugs or alcohol since that’s the nearby. Would’ve gotten away with his stash too if he usual results for people in situations like this. hadn’t tripped on a baby stroller a few feet away. I watched them a while—just trying to get a feel of Needless to say the mother freaked and her boyfriend their method and how they were going about doing (or husband) tackled the would-be crook and called the what they were doing. Many had tags attached by a cops. Two guys were taping everything on their cell cord around their necks indicating who they were or phone and had the idea that this was too funny not to something—so maybe in that way the newspaper keep their cameras running as it unfolded. Apparently publisher keeps tabs on the homeless people who sell this guy wasn’t too bright and seemed to think this their issues on the streets in order to keep them would be easy—now of course he’s in jail and wishing honest and not let them resort to pocketing any extras he’d made better plans instead of being so stupid. to buy drugs or alcohol after the fact. Music is the Story of My Life Bar Scene Everywhere I just want to prove to my parents that this wasn’t a Oh—I didn’t expect to see so many bars in this city. waste of my time coming out here to Nashville from Seems there’s almost one on every street and Houston. I got the usual endless “it’s better to stay sometimes three or four in a small area. Guess there’s near home” deals from them. But let’s face it—Houston a lot of hard drinkers all over the city that tried but isn’t where people go to break into the music industry. failed to get a singing career and just ended up being So I have to come here and try my luck—I just don’t drunks instead? Got to keep my head above water on want to turn thirty and have the “what ifs” to think this issue—can’t deal with the problems that come with about for the rest of my life—so many people have this type of career. The endless stress and the panic at regrets long after the fact—but I think it’s better to try failing to make a splash before you hit thirty-five. and fail—than never try at all and be unhappy. Page 8

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Series USA Los Angeles

© 2014 Street Beat News

A Slice of Life in Hollywood Severe Drought Hits Los Angeles

Summer 2014 Man, this summer is hot—and not in a good way

Unnecessary Drama in the City either. There seems to be no relief from the heat each and every day that goes by. Grass is dried brown in

most lawns and it seems the only creatures that are Stupid landlady is causing trouble again for everyone enjoying this heat are the flies. They seem to hover in the building. Like you’d think she had enough to around everywhere—probably waiting for someone to deal with over the repairs she’s supposed to do but drop dead—I’m not sure but it’s really creepy as they hasn’t bothered. Today I got word from one of my follow you throughout the parking lot. Unless maybe neighbors upstairs that the “goddamned sneaky bitch” there’s stuff dead nearby and I don’t know. (his words not mine) went into his apartment without The heat is seriously sweltering—especially in Burbank giving him notice. He told me she lifted his CD player and Glendale. Makes going there for auditions really and when he questioned her later she denied taking it. hard most days—but there’s no getting around it. He mentioned he grabbed her and threatened to “rough her up” but she told him she’d call the cops. He Yesterday I saw some guy trying to coax his yappy dog wanted to know what he should do—I told him to call out of his house in North Hollywood. But that dog just the cops anyway and explain what she did—if she had wasn’t playing that game—he kept his body jammed the CD player in her apartment they could bust her against the front door as if to say—“screw that I’m not right then and there for theft. He told me he’d think going anywhere in this heat”—the man finally gave up about it. I let him know that if he waited too long it after a few seconds as I watched while I waited for would be long gone when he did bring the cops to traffic to change on Victory Boulevard. Bet you check her place out. He seemed to think maybe they’d anything—later he probably whipped that dog—he turn on him instead—and then mentioned he had a rap seemed the type to be cruel to animals by the way he sheet for street fighting a while back. Well, that’s a was yelling at the dog as if it was some sort of guaranteed way to get in more trouble than it was “machine” and had no feelings or emotions. worth. He said he’s going to get even with her—he didn’t say what he would do and I didn’t ask. Knowing An Audition for “Grimm” him it probably will be something really nasty. He has a rep around the building of being someone you don’t Today was interesting—at least for a while anyway want to piss off. My landlady is about to find out what when I got a call for Grimm. Paid several dudes at NBC happens when you mess with the wrong person. a return visit and they seemed interested in how I was reading the pages they gave me—but you never know Sick Freak at a Casting Office when you get a call how it’ll turn out since there’s so many people around looking to nail the same job And people in Hollywood wonder why the reputation you’re trying to convince people you can do the industry has is what it is—today I got wind of a effortlessly—which usually leads to some nervous story from a buddy of mine that some sick bastard of a moments while you’re waiting for your turn to deliver casting director made a move on a friend of his and the goods. Maybe I did OK—I’m not sure—won’t know tried to slip him something to knock him out. But for probably another week or so—but if I don’t get it luckily the guy seemed to pick up on the mood in the then whatever—can’t worry about so many things at office, especially when the sicko asked him if he’d ever once especially with all my problems of late. been drunk before. The friend of my buddy bolted from the office—as the stunned and disappointed casting More Auditions director seemed shocked this was actually happening after all the hard work he put into seducing this Yep, more auditions this week—knocked out four specific guy with promises of a role in an upcoming earlier in the week for commercials and two today for Jennifer Aniston movie. Yeah, I bet he was really possible roles in two pilots—one for CBS and the other upset—upset that he wasn’t going to fuck yet another for NBC. I think I did OK but the casting director—a young dude—like he’s probably done with so many woman who seemed “uber creepy” didn’t appear to be unsuspecting innocent newcomers over the years. into me much. Other than that I know I tried my best This industry is so messed up with perverted creeps and just have to keep trudging along until something everywhere trying to latch on to young men and clicks for me—like a role in a series or a movie. Either women who come to Los Angeles to try their hand at way I’ll be happy if I hit just one before the month is acting only to find people like this out and about trying out so I can have money in the bank which will keep a to lure them into their bedrooms (or hotel rooms). roof over my head—for a month or so anyway. Page 9

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Crime & Punishment

Case #12 Obviously Levy was too slick to be directly involved but given his rep it seems plausible he was behind the killing and subsequent cover up with the help of the Who Killed Bobby Fuller LAPD. Let’s face it, all he had to do was offer hush money and endless police officers would come running For more info on this case click Murder of Bobby Fuller. for a piece of the pie, especially from those at the very top of the department. Respectable reputations among Like William Desmond Taylor, Thelma Todd, Elizabeth the top brass of the LAPD have been a joke among the Short, George Reeves, Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood citizens of Los Angeles for many years where it was and Robert Kennedy among many other Los Angeles commonly known back in the day that police and mob deaths, the still-unsolved 1966 death of Bobby Fuller organizations were quite tight. Now, does that mean proved that not only can someone get away with someone else or maybe a few others didn’t have murder, if it happened in Los Angeles during the era motive and opportunity? Sure. There were stories tying spanning 1920-1990 anything was certainly possible his manager Bob Keane to his death and a lowlife when it came to how the LAPD handled their cases. As nightclub owner named Eddie Nash who certainly was with the others before and after him, money talked capable of murder given his mob ties. But evidence and paying off police officers to keep quiet or throw leads away from them when it comes to a motive. evidence out certainly happened over and over again. While there are no clear ways to decipher this case And of course LAPD (then and now) have denied such unless Fuller or those who beat him up and killed him behavior existed among their ranks but unfortunately tell us what happened, from what is known can lead looking to the police in general when it comes to many to think a murder occurred by the way the case honesty is like asking a fox if he ate one of the hens in unraveled back in July 1966. This case should have the henhouse after the fact. Time and time again been easy enough to solve—seeing that there was evidence has come forward that implicates the LAPD in something oddly amiss from the start—but as stated several corruption cases that not only spawned endless before, the LAPD was in on the deal from the getgo media coverage but resulted in the end of many with their actions of discarding evidence before doing careers. In the Fuller case the evidence is fairly easy to an investigation—stating outright it was a suicide. look at without getting confused. In the half century since there seems to be no doubt that he was murdered mostly likely by mob affiliated henchmen on the orders of Morris Levy who was the owner of a small record label called Roulette Records. The evidence in this case is clear because of motive. Levy may not have originally planned to kill Fuller that day in July 1966 but it was definitely in the plans to rough him up in order to send a message to Fuller that he was not to back out of a possible recording deal with Levy.

Levy had a smarmy reputation with the music business and it was widely known that has associated with some of the top crime families in the United States. Not Bobby Fuller exactly a badge of honor. He also had a reputation for October 22 1942—July 18 1966 making threats against musicians and also of carrying out threats of bodily injury when he wanted to make a Like Marilyn Monroe before him, Fuller’s case was point. Fuller was not the type to submit to being suspicious from the beginning, but the LAPD, as with bullied and probably told Levy where to shove it. the Monroe case swept everything under the rug to Levy, by all assumptions decided to teach Fuller a curry favor with those involved. And like Monroe lesson by beating him up, except his goons went too before him, who was not suicidal, unless you believe far and killed Fuller. All evidence in exactly what tabloid reporting, Fuller was making plans for the happened has disappeared thanks to careless handling future and had no reason to want to take his own life. by the LAPD. But witnesses to the events spoke out at But even if someone wants to assume he had reason, the time and in the decades afterwards stating with a the end results doesn’t add up to it being possible clear vision what took place leading up to and after the given how his body was found in front of his apartment murder took place. And while conspiracy nuts like to building at 1776 North Sycamore Avenue in Hollywood “go all out with crazy plots” there is much here from after being reported missing for almost a full day. By this case that can lead anyone looking at it with a all accounts Fuller was excitedly planning to interview smidge of intelligence to see there was a cover up. new musicians and attend a meeting with Keane.

Page 10

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Statements vary on who found Fuller’s body inside his The minute the first officer on the scene threw away car outside his apartment building, but what was clear the gas can, the fix was in. It was also noted at the from witnesses was that the corpse seemed to be time that he was wearing plain clothes. Can we even badly beaten with one of the fingers broken. Now, if assume he was a real cop, and not one of Levy’s naysayers want to explain away other aspects of the henchmen making sure the end scene was perfect? case, let them, but only after they can explain how you Stranger things have happened so this idea certainly can beat yourself up, pour gasoline all over your body, could be plausible. But regardless, having the and then still manage to arrange your death to make it supposed cop throw out the evidence without dusting look like suicide after the fact, then explain away. The for fingerprints as witnessed by Keane certainly looks report stated that Fuller was found lying face down in suspicious. Keane apparently objected to the lack of the front seat of the car, with a gas can one third full, effort from the cop but was ignored. Keane’s noticing with the cover open, the car windows rolled up and the of the fact that Fuller’s body was in full rigor mortis doors closed. There were also comments about where suggested that he had been dead for hours and not the keys were that was never fully explained. And if minutes as stated by the police, but that information that wasn’t enough to lead anyone to question a was also ignored. The fact that his car was nowhere to suicide story, apparently his clothes were also soaked I be seen for most of the day and then suddenly shows gasoline, though they couldn’t explain how that up in front of his apartment building makes one think would’ve happened from supposed gasoline vapors twice about the conclusion by police—and then their being inhaled. Of course the bruises on the body and own suspicious behavior later when Fuller’s uncle broken finger should have been a dead giveaway that demanded an investigation and was told to leave it something other than suicide was the cause. A few alone if he wanted to remain in good health leads months later a change was made to Fuller’s death anyone to think that they were involved. Added to the certificate stating the death was “accidental.” Yeah OK already curious situation was the “could be possible” if you want to assume something so lame as to say he theory from present-day investigators who suggested drowned himself in gasoline. Of course the biggest part that maybe Fuller’s killers had planned to torch the car of the case was ignored and not noted—and that was with his body inside when they were interrupted by the destruction of evidence by the first police officer on someone and fled the scene. That would certainly the scene. He apparently threw away the gas can and explain the issue of the corpse being drenched in stated to shocked witnesses that there was nothing to gasoline. On that theory alone it raises questions. investigate as this was suicide, plain and simple. It can be assumed that this cop was probably on the mob payroll and did what he was expected to do whenever there was a possible case that involved the mob. Of course as with any suspicious death involving a celebrity there are the usual scenarios that play out. One theory had Keane orchestrating Fuller’s death to get insurance money on Fuller, but realistically would anyone be that dumb as to risk going to jail for a paltry amount from an insurance claim? It doesn’t make sense given the fact Keane didn’t need money as he had many other musicians working his recording label Del-FI Records and was quite successful. As for the story that Fuller was on an LSD trip after a wild party, this rumor has no standing as it happened previous and he was seen alive afterwards. Rumors also circulated that Charles Manson was involved but no evidence of that has ever been proven simply because there was no direct connection from Manson to Fuller that is credible. The only part of the story that seems to connect each and every time is that Fuller’s death was what it looked like—a case of murder that Bobby Fuller Four the LAPD covered up on the orders of the mob. And to add to that story, four days after Fuller was Cases that reek of suspicious behavior always remain found dead, one of his band members had an on people’s minds. That’s why no one has forgotten encounter with mob types, prompting him to flee Los the 1922 & 1935 murders of William Desmond Taylor Angeles. If all these things can be called coincidence and Thelma Todd. And the tragic 1962 & 1981 deaths then I have a bridge to sell you. Realistically there a of Marilyn Monroe and Natalie Wood remain in the lot of questions that will remain unanswered—and public’s eye for a reason. Fuller’s death is one of those others that will never be able to be explained, but unforgettable cases too. Interest will always linger. sometimes when something looks obvious, it’s because Photographs of Bobby Fuller and the Bobby Fuller Four it is. This is one of those cases. No doubt about it. are courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Page 11

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

2016 A Year in Photographs

All photographs used are from Wikimedia Commons. commons.wikimedia.org

Standing Rock

Michelle Obama

Robert Griffin

Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Page 12

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Harmony of the Seas

Elizabeth Warren

Joe Biden, Merrick Garland & Barack Obama Pajtim Kasami

Team Austria & Turkey

Chicago Cubs Celebrate 2016 World Series

Page 13

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

The excerpt below is taken from the 1897 biography of the Pilgrims titled On Plymouth Rock by Samuel Adams Drake. This book is available online at the Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library. To obtain a free electronic copy of this book please visit www.nancyhankslincolnpubliclibrary.com and download.

In a certain barren corner of New England, on a bleak November day of the year 1620, a little weather-beaten ship gently rose and fell on the long ground swell that swept on past her to the shores beyond. Her rusty anchor was down, her stiffening sails furled. Like some solitary sea bird, blown to a strange coast, she, too, had silently folded her weary wings, and gladly settled down upon the quiet waters of a thrice-welcome haven of rest. But why has the strange ship battled with storm and tempest to reach this distant coast? What seeks she in this lonely spot? Why comes she here? On board this ship were a hundred and two men, women, and children, who, with one heart and mind, now knelt down, and gave heartfelt thanks to God, for having brought them safely over the wide and stormy ocean at last. And now they eagerly look about them, to see what manner of land this is before them. What could they see but a lonely wilderness of drifted sand hills, streaked with fresh-fallen snow, and half hid beneath a shaggy coat of bare woods and thickets, which their fears peopled with wild beasts or savage men? Truly, it was enough to send a shiver through the stoutest frame. Here were no friends to welcome them, no inns to refresh them, no towns or houses in which to find shelter. Except the gulls screaming above their heads, not a living creature was in sight. Yet here they meant to make their home, God willing; and their full hearts could go up in praise to Him, at the sight even of this desolate spot. It was the good ship Mayflower two months out of England, with people from Holland and England come to begin a colony by themselves and for themselves, where man’s cruelty and oppression could not reach them. They were exiles from home & country. Not without many tears had they parted from dear friends and kindred, but one and all believed that God himself was leading them on, and their simple faith was stronger than all the world besides. Yet all was not as it should be with them. The ship had been hired to take them to a place much farther south, of which they had heard good report, but after a vain attempt to double the cape before them, the captain had put back here, declaring that

Page 14

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

he would go no farther. This land, stretching far and away around them under the chill November sky, was Cape Cod—a desert place, beaten upon by the winds and waves. But as the captain would no more budge an inch than his anchor, the poor colonists had to make the best of a bad bargain. Besides playing them such a scurvy trick, the master, a rude, blunt sailor, made no secret of his wish to be rid of them; for the voyage had been long, the season was getting stormy, and with so many mouths to feed, he was afraid, or pretended to be, that the ship would run short of victuals for the voyage home. There was no time to lose, for even should the hard-hearted captain relent, frost and snow could not be put off by prayers or entreaties. Therefore, the need to be up and doing was most urgent, as all could see for themselves. Yet there were worse things in the way than rough weather, or a captain who treated them as if they were only so much freight, to be tumbled on shore as soon as possible. By landing them here he would leave them in a sad predicament, because they knew that they could have no right to a foot of ground, except in the place for which they had a writing, or patent, from England. It was really too bad that after so much time and money spent in getting it, their patent should be only so much waste paper. Yet so it was. It was bad again, because, under it, John Carver already had been chosen governor; so that whenever the colonists should step on shore, their civil government would be instantly in force. But now one man was just as good as another; and certain unruly ones among them had not hesitated to say so. This was anarchy. This being so, the wise ones said they would not set foot on shore until some new plan of government was agreed upon, to take the place of the old, as now they had none at all; and that would never do. So, writings were drawn up in the cabin, binding all to obey such laws as they themselves should make in future. Then, on this very eleventh day of November, all the male colonists were called upon to sign it. As John Carver’s name heads the list, we may suppose the pen was first handed him, as the one most looked up to among them. How can we help respecting men who showed such respect for the law? True, at this time they did not make any laws that we know of; but power had been given to make them as they should be needed, and a curb put upon those who had fancied that they were to be their own masters. John Carver was again chosen as governor, and things being now once more in the right road the work before them was quickly taken in hand.

Page 15

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Best of Reprints

© 2012 Street Beat News

The editorials below and in the following page are reprinted the season. Nevertheless despite the despicable from three 2012 editions of Street Beat News—which was a behavior before in the past by ruthless players such as popular Honolulu social issues print and online newspaper Alison Irwin, Mike Malin, and Dick & Daniele Donato of which Opinion America was inspired by—and of which who lowered the bar as low as it could be lowered, this officially folded production in late 2015. All material is season their behavior was topped by Dan Gheesling, a reprinted with minor corrections to the original copies. previous player who had appeared in Season 10. Slight reformatting of the originals was done as well when necessary in order for the reprinted material to fit into the present space provided below as well as the next page.

Reality Television is Real Life

Note: Below is a psychological study was written in 2012 reflecting Season 14 of the popular reality game show Big Brother from CBS. Though this is a filmed series with scripted sections (diary room confessions) scenes of interactions between various cast members are real. Repeats of all Big Brother seasons (including Season 14) can be seen via CBS All Access.

I emailed this story because I think the idea behind it is at least going to put ideas into people’s heads if it wasn’t there already but should have been about how we treat each other on any given day. Over this past summer CBS aired their popular reality show Big Select Season 14 Cast Members Brother, now in its 14th season. While previous seasons have showed the worst of human nature in The scenario for this season was simple enough to terms of how people treat each other just to get their grasp: have four players from past seasons coach the hands on the grand prize of $500,000 offered by the new players throughout the season and if a specific show’s production company and CBS, this season went player makes it to the end, both coach and player is to new lows when dealing with despicable behavior. rewarded with cash prizes. However early into the Whether you watch the show or not—here’s the season, the gameplay was switched and the coaches premise (for those who don’t) of this long-running were put back into the game as players, competing for series which began in 2000 following in the footsteps the grand prize of 500,000. Mike Malin returned as a of Survivor, another popular reality show on CBS. coach as well as fan favorite player Janelle Pierzina. About 12 to 14 people are sequestered for Early on it was clear Malin hadn’t changed as he was approximately three months inside a large house built still a jerk. Janelle has matured and seemed to have inside television soundstages located in Studio City, learned how to play the game better by taking the high California. (For those who don’t know, Studio City is a road instead of degrading herself to win at any cost. suburb of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley area Why was former player Britney Haynes ever chosen as of the city.) The game is simple. Each week a head of a coach is still not clear as she clearly had no business household is picked to govern the house and make coaching anyone since she herself needs coaching as decisions by placing 2 people for eviction (one of which she played a terrible game in Season 12. Nevertheless will be evicted) which is then voted upon by the other it was coach Gheesling who really did a complete houseguests. Throughout the week various situations turnaround and because of his “alley cat” tactics occur that work in favor of the two nominees either became someone many fans openly hated as staying in the house or being evicted by their fellow publicized by endless comments sent to the main houseguests. While in the past it was clearly stated offices of CBS in Los Angeles. With that in mind, there were no rules to the game with the sole Gheesling helped Malin stab Pierzina in the back, by exception of physically attacking someone; (yep, even “backdooring” at the last minute unfairly removing her having sexual encounters is OK) there was always a from the game, and then immediately used one of limit of which wasn’t crossed or attempted to be Malin’s own coaching students to get him removed crossed by the players despite stooping to the absolute from the game as well. Not that Malin didn’t have it lowest tricks used in real life such as backstabbing, coming or deserved it, he did, but this seemed to be conniving, playing on people’s emotions, or using the turning point for Gheesling’s repeatedly applied pathetic behavior in order to win at any costs, and and used two-faced blindsides throughout the rest of never thinking (or caring) of how their actions are the season. His rivalry with houseguest (and Malin’s viewed by the American public when the episodes air former coaching student) Frank Eudy, who though and how this affects their life after the show wraps for tried to portray himself as trustworthy and someone Page 16

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

with integrity & honor—the truth is unfortunately far clearly obvious she wasn’t very tolerant of people who different. Eudy seemed to believe that lying, may have views vastly different from hers, or anyone backstabbing, and bullying other houseguests was OK else who looked different from what she would as long as he did it, but when others applied the same consider “normal” which pretty much made it obvious tactics to him, he was appalled at their behavior. right away she was the typical redneck Republican. If I mean, seriously, his arrogance was so over the top that wasn’t bad enough a character flaw, she seemed that he even told off other houseguests (when Malin to be threatened by women prettier than herself. It got booted) that they didn’t deserve to be in the house doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that her over some of the other houseguests (like Malin) that low self-esteem made her who she had become as an had been previously evicted. Like he was God or adult, which certainly made sense when it came to something? He actually seemed to believe only he figuring out how she could let herself be duped so deserved to win the 500,000 and that everyone else in many times by Gheesling. So, in the end not only did the game should step aside and be in awe of his her fellow houseguests see through her two-faced greatness. Yeah, right buddy, you keep thinking that exterior once her narrow-minded views showed your life is simply a fairy tale with a happily ever-after through and pretty much turned their backs on her; ending. One particular week, Gheesling made some apparently viewers did also. Finally she was sent errors in his gameplay and Eudy (as head of packing by Gheesling after she outlived her usefulness household) finally (though it seemed) was going to get to him, yet he was still unable to get rid of Terry, even rid of Gheesling after the two of them had tried to get to the point of trying to trick him to throw the rid of each other multiple times before. But Gheesling competition in order for he, Gheesling to win. pulled off a miracle and convinced Eudy not to remove him from the house in return for ratting out his alliance members to Eudy. It worked, and Haynes was expelled from the house that week, but Eudy in his greed to end up the winner did not see that Gheesling was not to be trusted and immediately upon fellow houseguest (and a super fan of Big Brother) Ian Terry winning the head of household position the next week, Gheesling switched sides again and teamed up with his former alliance members who he had previously ratted out and used them to blindside Eudy out of the house for good. As with Malin, Eudy got what he deserved Ian Terry & Ashley Iocco because he had done so many underhanded things But Terry’s wasn’t stupid like Eudy, Meaney, or himself that his removal was justified despite how it Murphree and bested Gheesling at his own game, went down. Of course he didn’t think so and weeks making it to the final two of which he knew his chances later when interviewed he apparently still harbored of winning against Gheesling was pretty much resentment about what happened, even trashing Terry guaranteed since hardly anyone liked Gheesling at this saying he didn’t respect him as a player. Eudy point after how he’s played the game with zero honor obviously thinks he was wronged, when it fact he and absolutely no integrity. That said, it was hard to should have considered the others he wronged feel sorry for Murphree either (despite being made to beforehand of which landed him in the position he look like a fool multiple times) after how she’d treated ended up being in halfway through the game. Once everyone else previously who she helped evict from Gheesling ousted Eudy, he then set his sights on Terry, the house by doing Gheesling’s dirty work with little but was outplayed each time by Terry’s clever moves. regard about how people would view her once the Not being able to remove Terry, Gheesling blindsided game was over at the end of summer. Then again, in another houseguest named Shane Meaney, who was her quest to win 500,000 at any costs, she probably also one of his alliance members by lying to and then didn’t care too much about what others thought about tricking his only remaining coaching student Danielle her. Too bad she didn’t figure out from before that she Murphree who had the “hots” for Meaney (who didn’t had no chance of winning since she floated her way return her feelings) about his motives to get Meaney through the entire game, doing Gheesling’s bidding, removed from the game. Murphree is, and probably never trying to be her own person, and made everyone always will be the dumbest player in the show’s not like her because of her soulless behavior. history, (and that’s saying a lot) due to her not seeing In that regard, she is completely forgettable as a the truth for what it was, even when it was staring her human being and the best thing that can be said of right in the face. I mean, how many times does her, is well, thank God that she doesn’t have a double. someone have to lie to you in order for you to learn As for Gheesling, after everything he did to win, he still from your stupidity? But then again, being from the ended up empty-handed at the end when the former South, patterning herself a southern belle, being racist, houseguests he blindsided voted against him. Ian (yeah, she admitted in multiple episodes her true Terry, whom he thought could easily beat, ended up colors by making disparaging comments about one of with a landslide victory. Gheesling later tried to play her former fellow houseguests), as well as making it down his ruthless behavior during the game as well as Page 17

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

his loss but no one was buying his act. From what has Today people seem to think the world revolves around been reported once Terry found out what Gheesling did them only, like they actually think if they kicked it to undermine his game, as well as his betrayal of his tomorrow the world would stop, or even care that they other alliance members, he was visibly upset when were gone? There’s no need to display such behavior interviewed later. Murphree reportedly isn’t speaking because the end results don’t justify the means. Just to Gheesling—Meaney and Eudy also aren’t in the look at the Kennedys. They’ve done horrible things to forgiving mood presently either. Does Gheesling care? people and look where it got them: scandalous Probably not—at least not until he realizes the damage divorces, drug busts, suicides, rape charges, child he caused won’t be something he can just wipe away rape, murders, etc. Every year more and more of their as if it never happened at all—harsh, but true. dirty laundry comes out and they lose even more Now, if anyone is wondering what this story was all respect with their once-adoring public. Was what they about, well, simply put, what you do to others comes did to get where they are worth it? If you think it was, back to you sooner or later. In life there is no amount then stop reading because you’ve obviously missed the of money, fame, sex, etc. that is worth betraying mark somewhere. People need to start getting along someone over no matter what excuses you come up and stop being so cold toward one another. Decades with. Gheesling didn’t have to play the game the way ago the American dream was possible based on hard he did, but he chose to do it anyway, so the fallout he work. Not anymore. No matter how hard you work faced afterwards is most deserving. And yeah, maybe today if there is someone who has the mentality that backstabbing, lying, cheating, stealing, conniving, “it’s all about them” then you can kiss your chances to gossiping, bullying, etc. have been around since time succeed goodbye no matter where you work. Back in began. But recently it seems this has become the way the day you would be employed at one job your entire to go. If you can’t get something through hard work, life. You were given promotions based on your ability, and perseverance, then whatever you have to performance, and rose upwards in the company do to get what you want is OK? Wrong. At the moment through dedication to your work. Today, the only way society is caught in a downward spiral where people that’s going to happen would be if somehow a miracle seem to think screwing someone to get ahead is occurred. Because today how people get ahead is perfectly OK as long as you don’t get caught later. And morally, ethically, and spiritually wrong. Here are a if you do get caught, simply lie and keep lying—acting few real-life examples of unethical employment like your accuser is the bad guy and not you. decisions made every day: you are a manager of a store and instead of hiring the best qualified person for the job, you hire a relative, a former or current lover, or a friend. Is that right? No. Does it happen often? You bet. What could go wrong? Well, the person you hired isn’t qualified for the job to start. How long do you think it’ll be before someone notices? What if they start slacking more than usual? Do you think your job will be safe if that continues? Nope. What about the fact they might start making demands or they won’t come to work? Could and does happen. What if the relationship between you and them goes sour? Again, could and does happen. What if they’re family? Can you say awkward? There’s so much more issues

concerning the above stated situations but I think

Season 14 Jury Members those are enough to get the idea. Years ago companies also were loyal to their employees and vice versa. I mean how many times have someone been caught Companies used to have secure retirement plans for cheating on their boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife employees that stayed with the company for decades. and then acted like it was no big deal, saying they Today, they’ve fixed it so that right before you’re were sorry, even repeating over and over how much suppose to retire, they come up with some minor they love the person dearly that they cheated on? But excuse to fire you, so they won’t have to keep their are they truly sorry? No. They are only sorry they got promise. Think that’s just hearsay? Check it out caught. That’s a fact. If they were truly sorry, they yourself. Trust me it doesn’t make for pleasant reading wouldn’t have done it in the first place and I guarantee when you realize how many people this has happened if they had never been caught, they wouldn’t have too over the years which have resulted in many people changed anything they did, and probably would have (who worked hard all their lives) having to spend their continued cheating with absolutely no remorse retirement years living on borrowed funds because the continuously. But what if they were the person being money they thought they would be getting for their cheated on and not the ones doing the cheating? Do decades of loyal service never happened due to you think they would be so forgiving if the shoe were corporate greed. Even some big companies use (and on the other foot? Not a chance. Trust me, television have used) this tactic when hiring people for key doesn’t need to make this stuff up, it happens. positions. Company founders groom their unresponsive

Page 18

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

children (heirs) to run their companies only to see but the world, it seems that in this country it has decades of hard work go down the drain instantly become more prevalent. People no longer look out for because these so-called heirs had no clue what they their fellow human beings the way they once did. It were doing and ended the company’s successful run seems that most people consider each other within a few years. It’s no wonder that huge competition and therefore appear willing to do companies such as Disney, Warner Brothers, and Levi’s whatever they have to do to best someone else. have steered completely clear of this sort of foolish thinking. Realistically it would have made sense from the beginning to let someone who knew what they were doing run the company once the founder retired. Yet even supposedly wise business types have made blunders when it came making simple and obvious decisions such as these. America is a far different place today than it was in the “innocent” era of the bygone 1950s when the dreams of having everything was still attainable. Back then everyone could afford to buy a house, two cars, and take yearly vacations with their family—but not anymore. Most people today will never be able to afford to buy a house, much less own two cars, and certainly taking a vacation with the family Ian Terry & Dan Gheesling once a year to a tropical location is, well, not going to happen based on how the work structure is set up in How sad has the world gotten when more and more 2012. Yet people continue to pretend they can achieve people seem willing to willfully ruin the lives of this unattainable goal when no matter how much they strangers and friends alike just so they can be happy? try, it isn’t possible. Why? Because of two factors—that Why can’t people see how wrong this is before they do unfortunately have been working in tandem with each it? Or maybe they do see it, but don’t care anyway? It other. What are these factors you wonder? The first is should be noted that if this sort of thing continues big companies using dedicated employees like tissue happening, pretty soon there’ll be no rules of which to paper, never appreciating their hard work, and hold standards up to. From what I’ve learned by seeing discarding them later when they no longer have any how people interact with each other and others in use for them or when they’ve become too costly to foreign countries such as Australia, New Zealand, continue keeping around. The second is those who use England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, France, Spain, situations like these to their likings. These types Italy, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, & backstab, bully, connive, steal, gossip, cheat, and lie Switzerland just to name a few, this sort of behavior is to others to get ahead. It doesn’t matter what these not widespread. People in those countries genuinely types have to do, they’ll do it. Then they’ll act like it appear to care about their own countryman. Maybe we was no big deal afterwards when their true character is can learn a lesson from them; that money isn’t exposed. What’s worse is that it seems to be accepted everything and resorting to the lowest form of human by most people. Seriously, there’s something really nature to acquire it might not be worth it especially wrong with anyone who thinks this type of behavior is when the outcome is a permanently soiled reputation justified. Case in point: there were actually some that no amount of apologies will mend as well as the viewers who thought Dan Gheesling was robbed of many lives that may be damaged because of such winning the 14th season of Big Brother because his unnecessary behavior toward one another. former houseguests were pissed at him for how he Does character not count for anything anymore? treated them despite his supposedly brilliant Recently after saying he never doped, Lance gameplay. First of all, he wasn’t robbed. He didn’t play Armstrong admitted to doping. Is that much of a the best game for the season because of how many surprise to anyone? It should have been obvious years times he manipulated situations to work in his favor ago with his refusal to take a lie detector test when while using everyone around him by playing people asked. He knew he couldn’t pass and that was the and making it look like someone else was pulling the point of him refusing. So, yeah, he has a lot of money, strings. That’s not what the game is about. but no amount of money will ever remove the nasty It is about strategy, relationships with your fellow blemish his name will forever be associated with. houseguests, and character. He missed two out of Will anyone learn from his mistakes? three. Ian Terry won because he was a better player Nevertheless maybe it’s not too late to get America simply for having utilized all three of the needed back on track by focusing on a dedicated cause; components. For those who thought Gheesling was believing that hard work is the key to success and not cheated out of the prize, well, it’s obvious this is the screwing someone over to get ahead. Is there still time kind of thing they’ve done, or would do to others if change what we’ve become? The answer is yes—but it they had the chance. Now, seriously what does that comes down to one question—whether or not we want say about their character? While I’m sure this sort of to admit there’s a problem in the first place. behavior is widespread not just in the United States All photos used are courtesy of CBS. Page 19

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Interactive Sites Select news sites listed below can be accessed directly with Internet availability. Left click on the link(s) and the site will open on your computer. Humanitarian (non-news) sites are in red.

ABC News Australian www.abcnews.com www.theaustralian.com.au

Access AZ Central Aircraft Casualty Emotional Support Services www.azcentral.com www.accesshelp.org Baltimore City Paper www.citypaper.com Advertiser/Adelaide Now www.adelaidenow.com.au Baltimore Sun www.baltimoresun.com Al Jazeera America (English Version) america.aljazeera.com Bangor Daily News www.bangordailynews.com Alabama Real Time News BBC News www.al.com www.bbc.com

Alaska Dispatch News Beverly Hills Courier www.adn.com www.bhcourier.com

All Hawaii News Beverly Hills Weekly www.allhawaiinews.com www.bhweekly.com

American Civil Liberties Union Big Issue www.aclu.org www.bigissue.com

American Red Cross Bing News www.redcross.org www.bing.com

Animal Defenders Boothbay Register www.ad-international.org www.boothbayregister.com

AOL News Boston Globe www.aol.com www.bostonglobe.com

Argonaut Boston Herald www.argonautnews.com www.bostonherald.com

Argus Streaming News Boston.com www.argusnewsnow.com www.boston.com

Arizona Daily Star (Tucson) Boston Magazine www.tucson.com www.bostonmagazine.com

ASPCA Brisbane Times www.aspca.org www.brisbanetimes.com.au

Associated Press British Virgin Islands News www.ap.org www.bvinews.com

Brussels Times (English Version) Atlanta Journal Constitution www.thebrusselstimes.com www.ajc.com

Buenos Aires Herald (English Version) Atlanta Leader www.buenosairesherald.com www.atlantaleader.com

Page 20

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Burbank Leader www.burbankleader.com Detroit News www.detroitnews.com Caribbean News Now www.caribbeannewsnow.com Detroit Free Press www.freep.com CBS News www.cbsnews.com Duxbury Clipper www.duxburyclipper.com Change.org (Main Site) www.change.org Eagle www.theeagleonline.com Chicago Sun-Times www.suntimes.com Entertainment Weekly www.ew.com Chicago Tribune www.chicagotribune.com euronews www.euronews.com CNN www.cnn.com Evening Times www.eveningtimes.co.uk Clutch Magazine www.clutchmagonline.com Exeter Daily UK

www.theexeterdaily.co.uk Colorado Springs Gazette www.gazette.com Express UK Columbus Dispatch www.express.co.uk www.dispatch.com Fabius Maximus Community Connection (Los Angeles) www.fabiusmaximus.com www.cangress.org Fairbanks Daily News Miner Cop Watch www.newsminer.com www.copwatch.org Feeding America Crooks and Liars www.feedingamerica.org www.crooksandliars.com Financial Times Daily Beast www.ft.com www.thedailybeast.com France 24 News (English Version) Daily Mail Online www.france24.com www.dailymail.co.uk Free Speech TV Daily Record and Sunday Mail www.freespeech.org www.dailyrecord.co.uk Free Thought Project Daily Star UK www.thefreethoughtproject.com www.dailystar.co.uk Glendale News-Press Daily Telegraph www.glendalenewspress.com www.dailytelegraph.com.au Globe and Mail Dallas Morning News www.theglobeandmail.com www.dallasnews.com Google News Dead State www.news.google.com www.deadstate.org Great Falls Tribune Democracy Now www.greatfallstribune.com www.democracynow.org Guardian Denver Post www.theguardian.com www.denverpost.com Page 21

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Gulf News LA Weekly www.gulfnews.com www.laweekly.com

Hartford Currant Las Vegas Sun www.courant.com www.lasvegassun.com

Hawaii Reporter Las Vegas Tribune www.hawaiireporter.com www.lasvegastribune.net

Hawaii Tribune-Herald Los Angeles Daily News www.hawaiitribune-herald.com www.dailynews.com

Herald Scotland Los Angeles Times www.heraldscotland.com www.latimes.com

Herald Sun Louisville Courier-Journal www.heraldsun.com.au www.courier-journal.com

Heart for Animals Mail Online www.heartsforanimals.org www.dailymail.co.uk

Hindu Mail.com www.thehindu.com www.mail.com

Hollywood Reporter Malibu Times www.hollywoodreporter.com www.malibutimes.com

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Media Matters for America www.staradvertiser.com www.mediamatters.org

Houston Chronicle Memphis Daily News www.chron.com www.memphisdailynews.com

Huffington Post Miami Herald www.huffingtonpost.com www.miamiherald.com

Independent Mirror www.independent.co.uk www.mirror.co.uk

Indianapolis Star Monaco Life (English Version) www.indystar.com www.monacolife.net

Inquisitr News Mother Jones www.inquisitr.com www.motherjones.com

Intercept MSN News www.theintercept.com www.msn.com

Irish Independent Molokai Dispatch www.independent.ie www.themolokaidispatch.com

Irish News Nation www.irishexaminer.com www.thenation.com

Islam Times (English Version) National Post www.islamtimes.org/en www.nationalpost.com

Island Sun British Virgin Islands NBC News www.islandsun.com www.nbcnews.com

Japan Times (English Version) New Civil Rights Movement News www.japantimes.co.jp www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com

Kuwait Times (English Version) New Republic news.kuwaittimes.net www.newrepublic.com Page 22

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

New York Daily News Patriot Ledger www.nydailynews.com www.patriotledger.com

New York Magazine People www.nymag.com www.people.com

New York Post Perth Now www.perthnow.com.au www.nypost.com

PETA New York Times www.peta.org www.nytimes.com

New Yorker Philadelphia Daily News www.newyorker.com www.phillydailynews.com

Newsday Philadelphia Inquirer www.newsday.com www.philly.com

News Times Philadelphia Tribune www.newstimes.com www.phillytrib.com

Newsweek Philadelphia Weekly www.newsweek.com www.philadelphiaweekly.com

News.com.au Phoenix New Times www.news.com.au www.phoenixnewtimes.com

New Zealand Herald Pittsburgh City Paper www.nzherald.co.nz www.pghcitypaper.com

NPR Pittsburgh Post-Gazette www.npr.org www.post-gazette.com

Olive Press Spain (English Version) Pittsburgh Tribune Live www.theolivepress.es www.triblive.com

Onion Politico www.theonion.com www.politico.com

Politicus USA Opinuns Entertainment News www.politicususa.com www.opinuns.com Portland Press Herald Opposing Views www.pressherald.com www.opposingviews.com Portland Tribune Orphans of the Storm www.portlandtribune.com www.orphansofthestorm.org ProPublica Pacific Standard News www.propublica.org www.psmag.com Pueblo Chieftain Parade www.chieftain.com www.parade.com Raw Story Pasadena Now www.rawstory.com www.pasadenanow.com Real Change News (Seattle) Pasadena Star-News www.realchangenews.org www.pasadenastarnews.com

Page 23

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Register www.theregister.co.uk Slate www.slate.com Reuters www.reuters.com Snopes www.snopes.com Richmond Times-Dispatch www.timesdispatch.com Space Change News (Boston) www.sparechangenews.net Right Wing Watch News www.rightwingwatch.org St. Croix Source www.stcroixsource.com Ripoff Report www.ripoffreport.com St. John Source www.stjohnsource.com Roll Call www.rollcall.com St. John Tradewinds www.tradewinds.vi Salon www.salon.com St. Louis American www.stlamerican.com Salt Lake Tribune www.sltrib.com St. Louis Post-Dispatch www.stltoday.com San Diego Reader www.sandiegoreader.com St. Thomas Source

www.stthomassource.com San Diego Union-Tribune www.sandiegouniontribune.com Star Tribune San Francisco Chronicle www.startribune.com www.sfchronicle.com Straits Times San Francisco Examiner www.straitstimes.com www.sfexaminer.com Street Roots (Portland, Oregon) San Francisco Gate www.streetroots.org www.sfgate.com

Street Sense (Washington, DC) San Francisco Globe www.streetsense.org www.sfglobe.com

Street Spirit (San Francisco) San Jose Mercury News www.thestreetspirit.org www.mercurynews.com

Street Vibes (Cincinnati) San Juan Star (English Version) www.streetvibes.wordpress.com www.sanjuanweeklypr.com

Street Wise (Chicago) San Marino Tribune www.streetwise.org www.sanmarinotribune.com

Sun Santa Monica Daily Press www.thesun.co.uk www.smdp.com

Sun Chronicle Scotsman www.thesunchronicle.com www.scotsman.com

Sydney Morning Herald Seattle Times www.smh.com.au www.seattletimes.com

Tampa Bay Times Sherman Oaks Studio City Encino News www.tampabay.com www.shermanoaksstudiocitynews.com

Page 24

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Taos News www.taosnews.com Verge www.theverge.com Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk Vice

www.vice.com Tennessean www.tennessean.com Vice News

news.vice.com Think Progress www.thinkprogress.org Vineyard Gazette

www.vineyardgazette.com Time www.time.com Virgin Islands Consortium

www.viconsortium.com Times UK www.thetimes.co.uk Virgin Islands Daily News

www.virginislandsdailynews.com Times of India (English Version) www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com Voice of America

Toronto Star www.voanews.com www.thestar.com Volunteers of America Toronto Sun www.voa.org www.torontosun.com Vox News Toshiba News www.vox.com start.toshiba.com Wall Street Journal Tulsa World www.wsj.com www.tulsaworld.com Washington City Paper United Press International www.washingtoncitypaper.com www.upi.com Washington Examiner US Hunger Relief (Feeding America) www.washingtonexaminer.com www.feedingamerica.org Washington Post US News & World Report www.washingtonpost.com www.usnews.com Washington Times US Uncut www.washingtontimes.com www.usuncut.com Watching America US Weekly www.watchingamerica.com www.usmagazine.com Wichita Eagle USA Today www.kansas.com www.usatoday.com Wrap Vancouver Sun www.thewrap.com www.vancouversun.com Yahoo News Variety www.yahoo.com www.variety.com Yucatan Times (English Version) Ventura County Star www.theyucatantimes.com www.vcstar.com

Page 25

Property of Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library

Corner Cafe

Most Dangerous Game Excerpt Two

Below is an excerpt from the serialized novel Most Dangerous Game. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Most Dangerous Game is a serialized novel written in episodic format. Sections serialized by Opinion America were not reprinted in exact order of existing storylines from the novel. Opinion America accepts fictional and nonfictional material by email only for publication of various subject matters. However all works must be legally copyrighted by rightful owner(s) of whom must provide proof of ownership to Opinion America before material is accepted for publication. Opinion America will not publish works plagiarized from other sources. No exceptions.

Tristan looks at the map and then turns to look at his assistant Cooper Johnson curiously. “So according to this map there’s supposed to be an island out there—uncharted and uninhabited?” Cooper nods. “Uh-huh—from what I heard.” Tristan sighs. “I know these waters like the back of my hand—and I’ve never seen an island this far out from the Virgin Islands.” Cooper points to the map. “There should be an island out there.” They look at each other. “You’re not making any sense.” Cooper sighs. “According to the stories I’ve heard from a few of my friends on St. Thomas—there is an island southeast of the Virgin Islands but all records of its existence have been mysteriously erased from modern maps—even from Google Earth from what I heard—no trace whatsoever—none.” Tristan shrugs and looks at the map again. “How can you erase an island from Google Earth?” Cooper runs his fingers through his hair. “They didn’t say.” Tristan looks at his watch. “I’ve heard enough of this drivel.” Tristan pushes Cooper. “I was just telling you what I heard?” They look at each other. “An island can’t just disappear from a map—especially from Google Earth—and most certainly not from those maps National Geographic puts out every couple of years. Got it?” Cooper shrugs and nervously turns to leave.

EXCERPT 3 WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE MAY-JUNE 2017 EDITION OF OPINION AMERICA.