Conspiracy?

During the time that Bill Clinton was campaigning for President, my wife worked for a company that was under contract with the Department of Energy. In her position with this company, she had to maintain a high security clearance. Her position allowed her to occasionally come in contact with FBI and Secret Service agents who were at her location conducting investigations. Conversations about the presidential race, Congress and such were often discussed on a casual basis with the agents.

During the course of one of these conversations an agent confirmed the fact that there ordered not to conduct an official background investigation on Bill Clinton. The agent commented that this was highly unusual and the first time in history, to his knowledge, that such an investigation was not conducted. For the agent, his agency and others aware of this fact, the order was somewhat unsettling. Who would have given such an order? A Republican was in the White House at the time. Was he aware of this, or was the Democrats or unforeseen others trying to cloud issues of importance? Possibly the answer will never be known.

Recently Donald Trump appeared on The View, where he brought up the issue of Obama’s refusal to have his birth certificate made public. Mr. Trump received his share of verbal abuse from his liberal leaning hosts who admonished him for making such statements. Yet, the question remains unresolved for many in this country. Was Mr. Obama born in Hawaii or some other place?

If Government today does not see fit to run background checks on potential Government candidates at the highest level, then why run a check on anybody for any job at any location. Are not the President, members of Congress or the Supreme Court in fact in tune or aware of this Nations most highly classified Government secrets?

Knowing the laxity of such background investigations, what would prevent a subversive movement from quietly and secretively fronting a candidate for high office? Such organizations with intent to harm or overthrow our Government would be patient, yet steadfast in their aim and intent. Begin him slowly at one level, and then move him to the next, then the next. How else might a community organizer with no real experience move quickly up a ladder and become the President?

Once their man has achieved his anointed position, the powers behind him, simply pull his strings. Be it for the personal gains of some, like giving billions to a Brazilian company for oil exploration while alternatively prohibiting new domestic drilling at home. What might be the ultimate goals behind such moves? Only those whose power one might only imagine, really knows. What we do know is that today, money can buy anything, possibly including, but not limited to the ultimate goal of world domination.

The Game of Life

Now that I have reached the “Golden Years” of my life I find myself looking back across the years, reflecting upon my accomplishments, my mistakes and the many what-ifs that I’ve encountered. Sure we would all like to relive certain elements over, knowing what we know now, gaining from the misfortunes, and building on the achievements.

It occurred to me some time ago that our lives are much like a football game, where each quarter provides new and different problems or goals that have to be overcome to win the game. Consider for a moment that we divide our lives into four quarters, with each quarter representing around 20 years of your life.

The first quarter of most football games is a sparring match of sorts. Both teams are trying to feel out their opponent, look for weaknesses on their defense, through a variety of plays. Short runs up the middle, short passes to the flanks. Test, push and shove. In turn the defense is eyeing the quarterback, the runners and blockers. Putting into practice what they had learned and worked on during the preceding week. Simply put, the first quarter is a learning experience.

In life, we go through a similar pattern. In the first 20 or so years of our life we’re schooled. We’re taught how to play the game of life, how to prosper and meet our goals. We’re given the knowledge we need to win the game of life.

By the second quarter of the football game, a team’s game plan comes into play. What we’ve learned about our opponent in the first quarter is put to use in the second. The game opens up and becomes exciting.

In the second quarter of our life, let’s say between the years of 21 to 40 or 45, we’re striving toward the peak of our careers, our game. We’re energetic, excited and we’re opportunistic. We have a family. We learn responsibility. We climb the ladder of success through hard work. We take pride in our achievements.

Half time arrives and is a time for reflection. Has our game gone according to plan? Why are we losing? What are we doing wrong? What can we do better? The coach gives the team another pep talk, reassuring the players that they can and will achieve their goal. Victory is at hand if we work hard, do our job and maintain a positive attitude.

In life, the mid 40’s is also a time of reflection. Where am I? Am I where I want to be? Will I or can I reach my goals? What’s realistically in store for me in the years ahead? Hopefully we use this time productively to prepare ourselves for the second half of the game.

In the third quarter of the football game, the teams emerge from the tunnel with renewed spirit and fight. Confident in the fact that they can beat their opponent they reenter the game with added zeal. Quite often the game becomes a fierce battle at this point. Superiority must be achieved. The opponent must be neutralized, beaten and demoralized.

In the game of life the third quarter is one of reality. Between the years of 40 and 65 the game must be played at all cost. Goals must be met before the fourth quarter begins. You’re at the peak of your career, and things should be going your way. Retirement looms ahead, will you be ready for it?

In the third quarter the reality of life begins to set in. You realize you’re no longer indestructible. The youthfulness you once cherished is gone forever. The thought of preparing for retirement sets in. Time is running short. Decisions about money, your family and your health become more important. With renewed strength you push toward your final goal.

In many a football game the fourth quarter is questionable. As a team you’ve peaked, and now you’re tired. But the game is not over. Victory is not yours until the final horn signals the game’s end. Your goal obviously has been to beat your opponent solidly before it became too late, hopefully letting your quarterback simply take a few knees, until the clock runs out.

In the fourth quarter of life, retirement should be the ultimate goal. Like the football player or team, you’ve peaked and now you’re tired. Yet for many of us, reaching 65 is not a celebration of victory. Reality tells you that you cannot sustain yourself on Social Security payments and possibly a small monthly pension. Life continues into an often unsustainable overtime period. Certainly an event that was not in the game plan you predicted.

But like the game of football, the final gun eventually ends the game. Are you prepared for it?