I have just placed my novel, Soldier Of The Cross, on Kindle, and it’s now an e-book.
My Novel, “Soldier Of The Cross.”
Hemperiffic LLC
hemperifficllc.com
Soldier Of The Cross Is On Kindle
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Monthly Archives: September 2022
The Mason Missile, September 29, 2022
Greetings, Americans!
The New Year 5783is upon us, and we celebrated Rosh Ha-Shona, the New Year, on September 25-27, and the Day of Atonement Yom Kippur October 4-5. I wish everyone all the best this new year.
The idea of the New Year is that you’re no longer bound by your past; you can learn from it, so you can plan better for the future, but you can’t continue to dwell there. That would require new ways of thinking, to challenge ideas in the air that would keep you helpless and powerless. Yes, reality can be pretty bad—I’ve had my share of bad news—and it HAS to be confronted, but by the very fact that you ARE confronting the bad news therefore changes the situation to your favor.
I proudly joined other Philadelphia area trade unionists for the Tri-State Labor Day Parade on September 5, which started with a rally at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall, 1301 South Columbus Boulevard; down Columbus Boulevard; and into Penn’s Landing for the Celebration. Our movement is something to celebrate, with its worthy goals and achievements (in spite of all opposition, and with its recent campaigns—the organizing drives for employees at Amazon and Starbucks, the organizing work of employees at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-museum-of-art-strike-union-contract-20220916.html), and the tentative contract for railway workers, averting a strike (https://www.npr.org/2022/09/15/1123289508/a-look-at-the-tentative-deal-between-freight-railroads-and-rail-workers-unions) . but more work remains to be done, since we’re up against powerful corporate interests who would take back everything we’ve campaigned for over the decades.
From Reagan (curse his name!) to this day, the economic orthodoxy has been a warmed-over attempt to re-impose the classic liberal model of “free trade” and deregulation of industry practices (no matter how shady and dangerous to the public) with some corporate welfare, fully confident that prosperity would flow. but the prosperity flowed all the way to the top, economically depressing the working class and narrowing the middle class (do these categories mean anything now?), so that we are, with all the “democratic” trappings, a fall-blown oligarchy. We don’t have to accept this as the only way for the nation to do; all of the Labor organizing activity shows that the system is under scrutiny, and under challenge.
Donald whatshisface went on Hugh Hewett’s program to complain about (what else?) the investigations he’s under, like for the documents he stole and stashed at Mar-A-Lago, and his role in the January 6 coup attempt. Believing he’s above the law (which he thinks is just another commodity), t—p bragged, “I think you’d have problems in this country the likes of which perhaps you’ve never seen before. I don’t think the people of the United States would stand for it.” He also said, “I think they’d have problems. Big problems. I just don’t think they’d stand for it. They will not.” (https://www.alternet.org/2022/09/donald-trump-warns-big-problems/)
This statement has been interpreted as a call to t—p’s followers to get violent in case he’s formally tried and convicted. Would that happen? Lately, there has been talk about another Civil war in this country, bandied about by the loonier elements of the right. You remember what t—p’s followers did on January 6, stampeding through the capitol, ready to kill members of congress, shouting “Hang Mike Pence!” and erecting a gallows to put him on.
This November 8, we have an opportunity to deal a blow to this rise of fascism in America, that has Donald t—p as their avatar. We CAN and MUST vote for pro-worker, pro-woman, pro-people of color, pro-education, pro-LGBTQ+ candidates—and vote out the republican Party, root and branch, as it is now. It is no longer the party of Lincoln, or TR, or Eisenhower, or event Nixon; it’s the roost of white nationalists, Christian chauvinists, conspiracy worshipers, willful ignoramuses who want everyone else to be unlearned, gun bullies, and plutocrats who want working and low-income people out of decision-making in society. The stakes are high, Americans, let’s get serious about this—as serious as the danger.
Stay safe, stay strong, and stay together! Slava Ukraini! America WILL be free! Bye!
My Novel, “Soldier Of The Cross.”
Hemperiffic LLC
hemperifficllc.com
thegtsf.org
The John Mason Talk-Walk, September 23, 2022
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1937652/11373545
I speak about Doug Mastriano, running for Governor of Pennsylvania; the legal troubles of trump; and the need to pull together, organize, and vote.
My Novel, “Soldier Of The Cross.”
Hemperiffic LLC
hemperifficllc.com
Resolutions for Rosh Ha-Shona 5783
Rosh Ha-Shona, the Jewish New Year, is coming up. It’s the time of reflection over how you were in the past year, leaning from what you did right or wrong, and being conscious about how you live your life in the upcoming year.
With that in mind, following my custom, here are my resolutions for the Jewish Year 5783:
I will conduct myself with self-love, self-esteem, and self-respect, learning and practicing good social skills, avoiding negative thinking, having faith in my own mind and judgement, politely drawing healthy boundaries, challenging fears of unfamiliar territories.
I will remain faithful to Jewish religion, history, culture, etc.
I will continue to be faithful to my various social and political causes.
I will continue with my writing art and business.
I will continue to practice YouTube broadcasting, podcasting, and acting.
My Novel, “Soldier Of The Cross.”
Hemperiffic LLC
hemperifficllc.com
thegtsf.org
The Mason Moment, September 20, 2022
What Was He Thinking?
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina (why?) introduced yet again a bill, modestly called the “Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act,” which would outlaw abortions, at the FEDERAL level, after the 15th week. (Earlier versions of Graham’s bill had it at 20 weeks.) (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/abortion-ban-republicans_n_63208382e4b027aa405fa35c) Forever, republicans have called for abortion laws to be left to state governments, which was their excuse for opposing Roe v. Wade. But as with the Civil rights laws, “states’ rights” is nothing more than a propaganda slogan with no ideology or belief system behind it. Any means to limit access to abortion, to appease the religious Right base, will work for them.
Graham actually believes his abortion bill would be popular with Americans (https://crooksandliars.com/2022/09/lindsey-graham-threatens-revolt-defend-his); but polls have shown that Americans support abortion rights (https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/06/13/about-six-in-ten-americans-say-abortion-should-be-legal-in-all-or-most-cases-2/).
This is a willful act of political ignorance. the Republicans know that abortion is a losing thing to campaign on, but graham puts it on the table anyway. It’s as if the anti-abortion voters are the only ones, and no others exist. Let’s show him how SUPER wrong he is!
My Novel, “Soldier Of The Cross.”
Hemperiffic LLC
hemperifficllc.com
The John Mason Talk-Walk, September 15, 2022
I speak about the rally for Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner, and of the Republican efforts to restrict peoples’ liberties.
My Novel, “Soldier Of The Cross.”
Hemperiffic LLC
hemperifficllc.com
thegtsf.org
The Mason Moment, September 13, 2022
My Novel, “Soldier Of The Cross.”
Hemperiffic LLC
hemperifficllc.com
thegtsf.org
Philly For Change is BACK!
Philly For Change is once more having a meeting, tonight, at 7:00 PM, at Tattooed Mom, 530 South Street. (https://www.tattooedmomphilly.com/)
Guest speakers will include Maria Quinones-Sanchez, who recently resigned from City Council to run for Mayor next year; Lisa Borowski, running for the Pennsylvania State House District 168; Lisa Deeley, Chair of City Commissioners. There’s great food and drink, and great conversation. Come on down!
My Novel, “Soldier Of The Cross.”
Hemperiffic LLC
hemperifficllc.com
The John Mason Talk-Walk, September 4, 2022
I speak about Biden’s address in Philadelphia, and of Trumpist hysteria over being challenged and stood up to.
https://thejohnmasontalkwalk.buzzsprout.com/1937652/11258599
My Novel, “Soldier Of The Cross.”
Hemperiffic LLC
hemperifficllc.com