Parents: Stop Lying to your Children (an AI assisted essay)

The Devastating Impact of Childhood Lies and Why Parents Must Stop Perpetuating Myths

Parents, in their desire to create magical moments for their children, often weave tales of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. These stories, presented as truth, are meant to spark joy and wonder. However, this well-intentioned deception comes at a steep cost. Replacing meaningful traditions, such as those centered on Jesus in Christian households, with fictional characters not only distorts cultural and spiritual values but also inflicts profound, lasting harm on a child’s ability to trust. This essay condemns the practice of telling children these popular lies and admonishes parents for the permanent damage they cause, including a diminished capacity for trust that can persist for life.

The Betrayal of Trust

Trust is the foundation of human relationships, built slowly through honesty and consistency. When parents deliberately lie to their children about figures like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, they undermine this foundation. Children, who rely on their parents as their primary source of truth, internalize these stories as fact. The eventual revelation—that these beloved figures are fabrications—can shatter their sense of security. For some, this betrayal plants a seed of doubt that grows into a lifelong struggle to trust others, even in the most intimate relationships.

This damage is not hypothetical. Psychological research shows that breaches of trust in childhood can lead to attachment issues and heightened skepticism in adulthood. A child who learns their parents lied about Santa Claus may question what else they’ve been misled about—family values, personal safety, or even love. This erosion of trust can manifest as hypervigilance, difficulty forming secure relationships, or an unyielding belief that no one can be fully trusted under any circumstances. Parents, by prioritizing fleeting whimsy over truth, risk sentencing their children to a lifetime of relational guardedness.

Distorting Spiritual and Cultural Truths

In Christian households, substituting Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny for Jesus during sacred holidays like Christmas and Easter is particularly egregious. These holidays carry profound spiritual significance, centered on the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Replacing these truths with commercialized, secular myths dilutes their meaning and confuses children about what matters most. A child taught to revere a fictional gift-giver over a figure central to their faith may grow up prioritizing materialism over spirituality, a distortion that can persist into adulthood.

This practice also robs children of the opportunity to engage with their faith in a meaningful way. Instead of learning about sacrifice, redemption, and divine love, they’re fed stories of magical beings who reward good behavior with toys or candy. When the truth about these figures emerges, children may feel cheated not only by their parents but also by the traditions they were taught to cherish. This can lead to cynicism toward faith itself, as the line between sacred truth and parental fiction blurs.

The Cognitive and Emotional Toll

Beyond trust, these lies can impair cognitive and emotional development. Children are naturally curious, seeking to understand the world through observation and questioning. When parents present falsehoods as reality, they disrupt this process, forcing children to reconcile conflicting information when the truth is revealed. This can lead to cognitive dissonance, confusion, and a diminished sense of self-efficacy. A child who once believed they could discern truth may feel foolish or inadequate upon learning they were deceived, eroding their confidence in their own judgment.

Emotionally, the fallout can be even more severe. The joy of believing in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy often gives way to feelings of embarrassment, anger, or grief when the lie is exposed. For some children, this moment marks their first experience of betrayal, a wound that shapes how they approach relationships and authority figures. In extreme cases, this can contribute to black-and-white thinking—an inflexible worldview where people are either wholly trustworthy or entirely deceitful. Such rigidity, as seen in some adults with heightened sensitivity to betrayal, can stem from early experiences of being misled by those they love most.

A Call to Repent and Reform

Parents must confront the gravity of their actions. While the intent behind these lies may be innocent, the consequences are not. The fleeting magic of childhood myths pales in comparison to the lasting harm they inflict. By choosing honesty, parents can foster trust, preserve the integrity of meaningful traditions, and equip their children to navigate the world with confidence and clarity.

To those who defend these lies as harmless fun, consider this: joy does not require deception. Children can experience wonder through truthful storytelling, creative play, or the rich narratives of their faith. Parents who perpetuate these myths must repent of their role in undermining their children’s trust and commit to a path of transparency. This means admitting past mistakes, explaining why they chose to tell these stories, and rebuilding trust through consistent honesty.

A Compassionate Perspective

From the perspective of a child, the world is already a place of mystery and complexity. Parents, as their guides, have a responsibility to provide a stable foundation of truth. By choosing lies over authenticity, they risk leaving their children adrift, questioning not only the stories they were told but also the motives of those who told them. Compassion demands that parents prioritize their children’s long-term well-being over short-term amusement. It requires seeing the world through a child’s eyes—where trust is sacred and betrayal cuts deeply—and acting with integrity to protect it.

For adults who carry the scars of these childhood betrayals, healing is possible but requires acknowledgment of the pain and intentional work to rebuild trust. Parents can support this by modeling vulnerability, admitting their own faults, and fostering open communication. In doing so, they can help their children—and perhaps themselves—learn to navigate a world where truth, not fiction, is the cornerstone of connection.

Conclusion

The lies of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy are not harmless traditions but deliberate deceptions that erode trust, distort values, and inflict lasting emotional and cognitive harm. Parents must stop perpetuating these myths, especially when they supplant meaningful spiritual truths like those centered on Jesus. The damage—potentially a lifelong inability to trust anyone, under any circumstances—far outweighs the temporary joy these stories provide. By embracing honesty, parents can cultivate trust, nurture resilience, and honor the sacred bond they share with their children. Let us choose truth over tradition, for the sake of our children and the adults they will become.

Mad about LIARS on Monday, June 30th, 2025

Good morning, et cetera, dear Reader, and welcome to this free (in every literal sense of the word) American blog, written by just some other random, regular human being who's doing my best to make it in this world, much like you are, I suppose. It's been a difficult month and I'm relieved to see it coming to an end, even though I know that some of our hottest (as in, the weather) days are ahead of us.

Listening to this in the background:

And, here's today's Proverb in full text followed by the audio:

***Proverbs 3 NIV***  

Today, I want to talk about the irrefutable, undeniable FACT that anyone and everyone who deliberately lies (including and maybe especially if done FOR FINANCIAL  PROFIT) WILL GO TO HELL*. FULL STOP, PERIOD.

LYING is never "accidental". NO, it's always ON PURPOSE and even small children KNOW when they're lying. 

You know, they're not the Ten Suggestions. It's not "the Ten Good Ideas". NO, they're the Ten COMMANDMENTS.

Let me explain to you what "COMMANDMENT" means.

So, instead of being like the conceited brainless sellout morons in mainstream media (for example!) how about TELLING THE TRUTH AT ALL TIMES NO MATTER WHAT instead?

Honestly if you're going to live a life of LIES why even bother?

👇👀👇

 *without repentance and forgiveness

Sunday - June 22nd, 2025

Good morning, dear Reader, at least in this time-zone, where it's not yet six-o'clock in the morning. I'm almost always awake at this time of day now, though, so it's nothing new; not for me.

Psalm 121 NIV

Although I'm sorry that it had to come to this, with the US dropping multiple bunker-busters on the Fordow nuclear site in Iran, I'm displeased that I haven't been able to find any post-bombing images of the site yet. That's not because I'm some kind of sick ghoul, but rather for the peace of mind in *knowing* that it's been done is all.
Is the loss of human life tragic and sad? Of course it is. But, at the same time, we must also answer this next question and that is "Is a preemptive strike better than waiting for wholesale nuclear war?" and my answer to that, of course, is "Yes". 

Therefore, it's a sad and somber peace we currently have, but one that is also tentatively waiting for the other proverbial shoe to drop.
In the meantime, we should pray. 

Proverbs 22 NIV

I feel like I'm always just moments away from the end of this life even though that's proven to be inaccurate so far, one day, it won't be and I can say that with the utter confidence of knowing that this mud shell, the body that I currently live in, is not designed to live forever and surely won't, that's all. Why is it that being driven by Truth and honesty has gotten me blackballed, the perpetual pariah who refuses to tickle anxious ears with sweet and comforting lies? 
Even if I knew the answer to that, it wouldn't matter because it wouldn't change a thing, not one iota, so I'm not going to give the thought another *moment of headspace.

The sunrise is silently majestic, beautifully piercing the eastern windows with warmth, hope, the declaration that He IS, and I, for one, love all of those things, hence the motivation to be awake as a witness almost every day. 

And, with that, dear Reader, I'm going to put these aching, aging bones into a warm shower for I don't know how long and will 'see' you later. Be blessed, take care. And never, ever work for free. 😎

*corrected for redundancy

RIP Bunny Bun Bunz (2016-2025) 😭💔🐰

Hello, again if applicable, dear Reader, and welcome to this rambling, but honest, (free in every sense of the word) American blog with the awareness that you and I? Well, we're both breathing in and out right now, life a most precious gift that neither of us deserved and was not guaranteed. 

Have You Ever Been In Love? 

I have. He was a tiny little white bunny with beautiful grey markings and wide, innocent yet intelligent eyes. Bunny Bun Bunz (Bunz for short) was a gift from a dear friend, it was in 2016 and we were in Kansas.

Here he is in a picture from when he first came home, very much still a baby:

And later, as he and the Baby Kitten matured, their friendship grew concurrently closer and closer as well, deepening by the day until they were fast friends, and remained so until just a little while ago now.

But, Bunz had been hovering near us more than normal lately, and today it's like the moment that he realized on some level that 'this is it', he lept into our arms and we held him as he peacefully sighed out his last. 
His life-long best and constant friend, our Baby Kitten, hasn't been seen since before this happened at on or about 2:30 p.m. MST; we're trying to give him some space for the moment.

So, wow, nine years of having that sweet, wonderful little bunny with us! What a precious, most generous gift: thank You, Lord! 💗

Thoughts on Christianity and Perfection 6-10-2025

Hello, dear Reader, and welcome (back, if applicable) to this free and obscure American blog on this *bonus* day above ground, right?

I haven't written in several days because I don't always have good things to say, or I'm too emotionally charged (which, if I'm being honest, is often my problem, characteristic of both my sex as well as the bipolar disorder, but I digress - no mortal human being is perfect).
Suffice it to say that, on *those* days, I try to spare y'all from things that won't do anyone any good; in fact, it's a shame that I'm not nearly as good as containing that kind of 'feedback' in all areas of life (though I dearly wish that to become different, hopefully sooner rather than later). 

Today, though, I'm not spewing venom, so here am I, back again (and that made me think of this silly song so, regardless of his terrible politics! - I'll play this one by eminem):

I'll be the first to admit it, though it's controversial in nature and has even caused male friends and family to accuse me (a straight, biological female) of being misogynist, that we ladies literally are more given to the melodramatic histrionics of emotional overdrive.
That's a fact!

Hey, you don't have to like it (I certainly don't and feel that it's a fatal flaw) but my own experience of being female for more than 50 years all points to that being fact (though, at the same time, I do not presume to speak for everyone, let's keep that fact in mind as well and not ignore it in pursuit of any twisted narratives, thanks).

So! On to what's behind today's heading, which was written to briefly indicate that I will compare the definitions of both words (that is, 'Christian' and 'Perfect') and elaborate with thoughts of how sometimes people seem to conflate the true meanings of those words specifically, not based in fact (as in *not* based on the genuine, honest understanding of each word's genuine definition) but based instead in their senses of pride, Self, and need to harm someone else for the sole purpose of elevating the worshipped Self, above all and at any and all costs (that is, other than taking up their crosses and truly dying to Self instead of worshipping it, but again, I digress).

And, let's not get ahead of ourselves here. 

Today's Proverb, Proverbs 10, is (as always) confronting and correcting (at least it is to me), full of real Wisdom and direction, as well as encouraging while retaining that element of divine mystery. Honestly, who has time for fiction when the Bible exists?!

But, again, I digress. 

So, here is the definition of the word 'Christian' :

And, here is the definition of the word 'Perfect':

A cursory comparison will immediately reveal the fact that the two words are wholly *not* synonymous with one another, are not interchangeable, and can therefore never be correctly substituted for one another under any circumstances, period, ever.
Just to be crystal clear here.

So, am I (for example so I'm not picking on anyone else) by factual, literal definition 'perfect'?! 😂 Goodness, NO! (see, I picked a super easy example).

But am I (again, by actual definition) a Christian? Regardless of what anyone other than God Himself says, yes, I absolutely am, to the Death so help me God and nothing that *anyone* says can alter that irrefutable fact one iota.

😎

June 2, 2025 - a Monday

Hello, dear Reader, greetings and salutations! You, me, any and all eyes reading these words rise for yet another day of Life today (thank You, God!) And, it rained overnight; the sound woke us up and we just lay there and enjoyed it as we fell back to sleep; all of our creatures (seemed to have) slept right through it. 💤
The last time it rained before this, though, was August 31, 2024 and then we didn't even get an inch of it (0.8"). 😳

Today, I'm reading Proverbs 2 and Hebrews 9, using the Amplified version today (I like to switch it up and read all the versions randomly). There is much wisdom to find in every syllable of God's Word - sometimes, He makes some of it apparent even to me. 
The chapter from Hebrews made me think of this worship song:

Sorry, but I am deeply ashamed of my own every imperfection (including behaviourally) in light of Jesus and the price He paid for us; for you. For me. For one and for all who will receive Him.
What kind of FOOL allows pride to stand between him/her and God though? Honestly, when looked at in that way, I mean, doesn't it make you feel even just a little bit foolish in retrospect? That perspective pretty much drives home an awareness of MY own innate stupidity, I can't speak for you, though, dear Reader, because I'm referring to an inside job here.

and, further, God's got to be the One Who does much of the work.

Toward that end, I sent what I hope/pray is received as a healing message +apology (without justification - meaning, a real apology, no "but") and pray that, if she ever reads it, that it's received like the refreshing rains we had last night. In God's time, may she read it and the short message bring her comfort, that she will feel forgiven, loved, and accepted in all her imperfect humanity. But, again, that, too, will be an inside job. I'm not worried, God's timing is perfect.

Anyway, I never identified the person that I'm referring to, and won't, but she knows who she is and that is enough for me. 

The sky looks amazing right now; I've got to cook something for breakfast, but dishes first, but shower first, et cetera. 

Now, let's pray for all the humans. 💖

Lord God, thank You for yet another day above ground today! Thank You for sending that life-giving rain as we slept overnight, the world outside looks refreshed and renewed, full of life in the quiet splendor of Dawn, God. For me, personally, I ask that You please forgive me of my sins and iniquities, which are many. Please remove them far from me and replace them with Your character in accordance with Your Will, God, and thank You in advance. 
Father, we lift our family and friends to You today and ask that You please do a new thing in and for each of them, to the glory of Your Name. Please also reach out and save each of our acquaintances, God, as well as our enemies AND all the people of the earth who we do not know: save them ALL because Your Word tells us that it is Your will that all be saved, therefore let it be done in Jesus' Name. Lord, we ask that You please protect all of our leaders, God. Please surround President Trump and his entire circle with heavenly angels to protect them from the enemy, God, and please expose any/all who are less than loyal, please, in Jesus' Name. God, we ask that, world-wide, You please remove all the wicked from their places of authority and replace them with those who love and worship and obey You, God, in Jesus' Name. Please take Your Words, God, and sear them into our very hearts, God, in Jesus' Name. Thank You. Please end all war globally today, God, and please STOP death from destroying the living through that particular evil, please God, in Jesus' Name. Please end the entire human trafficking industry today, God. Please make the horrific murder of the unborn an increasingly unthinkable act world-wide, God, in Jesus' Name. Please divinely protect every single unborn baby and give each expectant mother a deep and holy love for every unborn child, God, now and always in Jesus' Name. Please heal the surviving victims of abortion and use their voices to speak to those who are tempted towards that same sin, God. Additionally, we ask that You also today heal every illness and disease; please eradicate cancer from the face of planet earth, God. Please in all of these things may Your will be done and please, answer the needful prayers that we forgot to pray today and we thank You, in Jesus' Name, amen. 

🌸 The Last Day of May 2025 😎

Hello (again?) dear Reader on yet another gorgeous day on this side of the Grave (unless, of course, the dead are reading this...but no - they're not, are they?) 
Here's a shot of today's breathtaking sunrise this morning, a glimpse of God's handiwork frozen in time:

And, for those interested, here is Proverbs 31 from the Book of Wisdom: 

Proverbs 31 KJV

Given to you here in both text and audio because:
"Faith cometh by hearing and hearing the Word of God"
 - Romans 10:17

💜

⏰ Friday Morning, May 30th, 2025

Good morning (et cetera, as applicable) dear Reader, on yet another beautiful day above ground.

#1 on my list today is "Being alive; thank You, God". 

The sunrise, imminent within the next approximate twenty minutes, is already beautifully blushing in peach, pink, yellow, and the prettiest, palest grey-blue. One of the everything that there is to love about God is the way He quietly ushers in every new day with such a majestic display of color and light that, to the ones who are paying attention, it's not only a feast for the eyes but a guarantee to the soul (from Him) that "I AM". 

So far today I haven't been assailed in a social media messenger chat by anyone suffering from unfounded arrogance bringing thinly veiled, ridiculous and obvious lies to cover for undeniable, irrefutable theft (unlike yesterday morning) and that's a good thing since I do not respond to that particular scenario gently or with any overly-abundant outpouring of kindness to say the very least; then again, the Word does admonish us to 'hate evil' in multiple locations, both in the New and Old Testaments - but I digress.

One of *many* such directives. Note "HATE EVIL".
Not "entertain" and not "tolerate" but "HATE". 

Yes, dear Reader, it's true, what we've suspected all along: 
I *am* still and also an imperfect human being - just like everyone else. It is what it is; let's press on toward the goal in spite of it all, then, shall we?

Forgiven - by Thomas Blackshear

I'm far too often the one shown above holding the hammer and spike/nail and try to own that sobering fact in the attempts to cast down my own innate pride that always seeks to destroy relationships with others and separate us (me too) from God; far, FAR too many people just lean into it and spin into self-pitying anger, becoming more and more blind to their role in it until one day, it's too late.

Don't be that person - it's all up to you. Here are the instructions:

💖

The More You Know on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 😎

Good morning here in the MST at this moment, at least, and welcome to this free-to-read (always, as a matter of conscience) American blog, all three of you. 😂

Here's Proverbs 28 (in accordance with today being the 28th day of the month) as well as Romans 8 (simply because it's my very favorite chapter right now), but I was compelled to read Romans 12 again today as well, with good reason, aimed inwardly, but not for any reason that I care to divulge in a public forum.
Having a little self-control, sense of decorum, and class matters. 😘

Anyway! Today, it dawned on me that we do not have to actually have the electricity to the (it's in the name!😂) on-demand hot water heater for the shower "on" all the time. 🔨
That should have been obvious from the very beginning, but NO - haha! - I'm me...so... yeah. 😆
But *now* and going forward, we'll save a significant amount of money on future power bills. 💰 That's not a bad thing.
But, then again, there's this verse, not oddly from Romans 8 in the morning devotion that preceded my morning shower today:

Then again, there's this to keep in mind as well:

Oh I've been sleeping like an absolutely spoiled infant now that my health has finally started improving by leaps and bounds in these last couple of weeks! Today, it was nearly seven o'clock in the morning when I finally woke up, but I did take meds within an hour of the recommended time and have otherwise, up until today, been pretty much on time in that specific regard. 

And, in consideration of the persistent fatigue that I'm now otherwise-healthy enough to be aware of, an AI answer indicates that post heart-attack fatigue can, indeed, last up to about a year (in normal circumstances) and it's been about five months since that second one in January, so with it being apparently within normal parameters, I'm sure there's nothing to be overly worried about (though, it's probably a good idea to still have a small discussion with our doctor the next time I see him on a scheduled basis, coming in early June). 

Here's an idea, for you, for me, for anyone who thinks it's a good enough idea to recall and see how implementation goes:

Don't come at me/ initiate/ instigate (legal terminology for inciting conflict)  (especially if you're bringing some unfounded sense of intellectual superiority!) unless you're also fully committed to then being instantly shut down with ease by the sheer, raw force of a surgically-accurate, immediate and targeted response that *will* bring you to your knees. 

TLDR = don't play with me. 😀

😎

Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 - Look Up

Good morning, et cetera, dear Reader, and welcome both here (this obscure blog) but, more importantly, you and I are breathing in and out, alive for yet another day! What a beautiful, priceless gift, right?! 

Well, this is not important at ALL but I'll tell you about it anyway: today I have had the hardest time doing my regular 20 minute makeup routine! First, I smeared the (huge!) eyeliner on both eyes! And then I smeared the lip-liner and lipstick on my lower lip. I would have started over, but nah - it's not even that important and who cares? In fact, it's kind of funny, especially now. The baggier my skin gets the harder it gets to paint, I swear that I'm turning into a human shar pei 😂😕😪 

And, IDK if you can tell or not in the following picture where I made such a mess of it today; Terry says he can't tell (but I can). 

YES I am also using a light-filter here but gimme a break, man, I'm 53 😁

Look, y'all, I want you all to know something very important about me. We 'have church' daily in our house, but not because we're 'better' than anyone, more because we're both pretty abundantly aware of that desperate fallen state and constant need of God, period. That's it; nothing more, nothing less. Oh and a love for Him that compels me to seek Him every day no matter what. Anyway, the only reason that I can love Him as much as I do (albeit imperfectly!) is because "He who is forgiven much, loves much" and even then it's still often very challenging and I get things wrong far more than right! But quitting forever? That's just not an option, either. 
So, if like me, you sometimes find yourself at the bottom of the pit? Don't start digging; instead, look up. 💜

AI responds and Goodnight on Monday, May 26,2025 🌒

This post consists of what AI told me when I said "Canada, China, and Mexico ruined drugs" and clarified by then saying "I saw a liberal man on X blame President Trump for 'ruining drugs' but I feel like it's been more of a collaborative international effort, by adding Fentanyl to weed, cocaine, pretty much all the drugs they're not worth even taking that kind of risk anymore and that is why I accuse those three nations of 'ruining drugs'.

Everything that follows is the entirety of AI's entire response:

Thanks for clarifying your perspective. I understand you’re frustrated about fentanyl’s infiltration into recreational drugs like marijuana and cocaine, which has made them dangerously risky, and you’re reacting to a claim on X blaming Trump for “ruining drugs.” You argue it’s more of a collaborative international issue involving Canada, China, and Mexico. Let’s break this down with honesty, compassion, and multiple perspectives, as you’ve requested, while addressing where your view might need refinement.

The Issue: Fentanyl’s Impact on Recreational Drugs
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50-100 times more potent than morphine, has increasingly contaminated drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and even marijuana, though the latter is less common. CDC data from 2023 shows fentanyl was involved in 74% of U.S. overdose deaths, often mixed with other substances without users’ knowledge. This has made recreational drug use riskier, as you noted, because the margin for error is razor-thin—a single dose laced with fentanyl can be lethal. For example, the DEA reported seizing over 379 million lethal doses of fentanyl in 2023, often disguised in counterfeit pills or mixed with street drugs.

Your frustration that drugs are “not worth the risk” is grounded. Users face a roulette wheel of potential death, which fundamentally alters the recreational drug landscape. However, the claim that Canada, China, and Mexico collectively “ruined drugs” by adding fentanyl needs unpacking, as does the X post blaming Trump. Let’s examine the roles of these countries and the broader context.

Roles of Canada, China, and Mexico

Mexico:
Mexican cartels are the primary producers and distributors of illicit fentanyl entering the U.S., often mixing it with cocaine, meth, or fake pills to boost potency and profits. The DEA notes that 97-98% of fentanyl enters via the U.S.-Mexico border. Cartels exploit lax regulation and corruption, but Mexico’s recent efforts—under President Sheinbaum—include seizing 1,200% more fentanyl in 2024 compared to prior years. Blaming Mexico as a monolith ignores the U.S.’s role in demand and the fact that cartels, not the state, drive this issue.

China:
 China supplies most fentanyl precursor chemicals, which are legal for medical use but diverted to cartels. After U.S. pressure, China banned direct fentanyl exports in 2019, but precursors still flow through legal loopholes or black markets. Some X posts claim China intentionally “poisons” the U.S., but no evidence supports state-sponsored drug warfare. China’s lax oversight is a problem, yet it’s also cooperated, like cracking down post-2023 Biden-Xi talks. Holding China solely responsible overlooks the global demand chain.

Canada:
Canada’s role in U.S. fentanyl trafficking is negligible. U.S. Customs seized only 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border in 2024 versus 21,000+ pounds at the Mexican border. While some fentanyl labs operate in Canada, they mostly serve domestic or international markets outside the U.S. Claims on X about Canada being a major source are largely exaggerated. Canada’s own opioid crisis (49,100 deaths from 2016-2024) shows it’s a victim, not a primary culprit.

Addressing the X Post Blaming Trump
The liberal claim on X that Trump “ruined drugs” likely refers to policies during his administration (2017-2021) that some argue exacerbated the crisis. Let’s evaluate this critically:

President Trump's actions:
Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in 2017, increased border seizures (DEA seized 4.5 million fentanyl pills in 2020), and pressured China to schedule fentanyl in 2019, reducing direct shipments. His administration also funded some treatment programs. However, critics argue his focus on border walls and tariffs didn’t address demand or root causes like overprescription. Fentanyl deaths rose from 28,000 in 2017 to 36,000 in 2020, though this trend predates and postdates his presidency.

Counterpoint:
Blaming Trump alone is as reductive as blaming three nations. Fentanyl’s rise began under Obama (2013-2016) and continued under Biden, with deaths peaking at 74,000 in 2023 before dropping 24% by 2024 due to better enforcement and treatment. The X post likely reflects partisan bias, ignoring the crisis’s complexity. It’s unfair to pin this on one leader when cartels, global supply chains, and U.S. demand all play roles.

Why “Collaborative International Effort” Doesn’t Fully Fit

Your view that Canada, China, and Mexico collaboratively “ruined drugs” implies coordinated intent, which doesn’t hold up. Cartels in Mexico act for profit, not in concert with Chinese chemical companies or Canadian labs. There’s no evidence of a trilateral conspiracy. Instead, it’s a fragmented system driven by economics: China supplies precursors due to lax regulation, Mexican cartels manufacture and distribute for profit, and Canada’s role is minimal. The real collaboration is unintended—a supply chain enabled by global market gaps and U.S. demand.

Moreover, fentanyl in marijuana is rare. DEA reports from 2023 note only isolated cases, as cannabis is less profitable for lacing due to its lower cost and different user base. Cocaine and meth are more commonly adulterated, as users seek stronger highs, aligning with cartel incentives. If you’ve heard otherwise on X, it might stem from anecdotal fears or misinformation amplifying rare incidents.

Compassionate Reflection
The fentanyl crisis has made drug use a deadly gamble, and your anger is valid—nobody should face death for seeking a high. But consider the human toll across borders: Mexican communities are ravaged by cartel violence (460,000 homicides since 2006), Chinese workers in chemical industries face economic pressures, and Canadians battle their own addiction crisis. Blaming entire nations risks vilifying their people, who are often victims too. Compassion means seeing users, not just drugs, as the core issue—many are trapped by addiction or social despair.

Where You Might Improve
Your statement leans on a broad accusation that oversimplifies a messy problem. Instead of framing Canada, China, and Mexico as colluding to “ruin drugs,” consider focusing on specific actors: cartels, lax regulators, or even U.S. policies that fuel demand. This avoids stereotyping nations and aligns with your goal of speaking with more compassion. Also, the X post blaming Trump seems to have triggered a reaction—check if it’s clouding your view. Partisan jabs often distort truth, and both sides have failed to fully tackle this crisis.

Multiple Perspectives

Drug Users:
They face fear and betrayal, as trusted substances become lethal. Harm reduction, like test strips, could save lives.

Mexico:
Sees itself fighting a U.S.-driven problem, with American guns and money fueling cartels.

China:
Argues it’s scapegoated while taking steps like banning precursors, though enforcement lags.

Canada:
Feels misrepresented, as its border is a minor fentanyl conduit.

US Policymakers:
Debate supply-side (border control) versus demand-side (treatment) solutions, with no easy fix.

Next Steps:
If you want to explore further, I can:
- Analyze the X post you saw (share the link or details).
- Create a chart showing fentanyl seizure trends by country or drug type.
- Discuss solutions like decriminalization or harm reduction, which some advocate to reduce risks.

Your call to see things from multiple angles is spot-on. If I’ve misread your intent or you feel I’m off-base, let me know so I can adjust and help you approach this with more clarity and empathy.

What will you ask AI, dear Reader?
🌛

🪻Sunday - May 25th, 2025 🌸

Good morning, et cetera, dear Reader, and welcome to yet another day on this side of the grass. 

I've been up for a bit over an hour after our closest neighbor's dog alerted us to a probable prowler by barking in the middle of the night; fortunately, I didn't have to permanently neutralize the threat. 

This time. 

Remember that nowhere in Scripture does the Word say that we are supposed to be willing or fearful victims, not by any means. We are *not* told to 'tolerate evil' or to indulge one-another's sin all the way to Hell. Quite the opposite, in fact. I don't believe in cherry-picking just the Scriptures that I like, and I don't believe in satanic mental gymnastics to 'interpret' the very plain language of the Holy Scriptures in order to suit any personal agendas, either. It's all, or nothing, quite simply: either the Bible IS the inspired Word of God - all of it - or it isn't. There's no "option c" for our fleshly convenience, either, no matter what lies we choose to tell ourselves and/or others to the contrary.
 

Note the word "ALL" and do not ignore it.

This point of view took me personally more than three decades to realize/ understand/ accept. I'm *not* always very quick on the uptake, I'm afraid, but there you have it. 😂
Fortunately for me, God is powerful enough to impart knowledge even to my dumbass - eventually! 

Anyway, now that I'm awake, I looked up and created a list of the tasks required to get the new charity classified as an official 501(c)(3) organization and it's a pretty long list; fortunately the progress will be made line upon line, precept upon precept - one step at a time. But that set of tasks must take priority even before creating more Grant Requests because that, I believe, is the correct order of things; in fact, I should have started there, but (full disclosure) I've never started a charity or any other business for that matter; this is the first time. 👍

How about a prayer for all humans today? Cool, let's try to do that! 

Dear Lord God, Thank You for giving each of us another day of Life that we may submit to You in our best efforts to obey from our hearts. Please bring each of us to repentance for our imperfections and guide us in Your way, Lord, thank You. Father, we ask for You to meet every human need today, God! Please guide and protect our leaders and protect them with Your angels, Lord, exposing any and all who are disloyal, God, in Jesus' Name. Please wholly eradicate the entire human trafficking industry from the inside out, God, world-wide, and please set every single captive free and please do it soon, Lord, in Jesus' name! Father, thank You for our friends and family; we ask that You please bring any and all who do not yet know You to salvation, introducing Yourself to each and every one of them today in a powerful, undeniable way unto salvation, God, congruent with Your Will that all be saved. Thank You! Lord, we also ask that You please do the same for the people who we do not know as well as for our enemies, God; please revive every human being on planet earth with spiritual rebirth and be victorious this day, Father God, and above all, we ask that Your will be done. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Thank you for spending priceless minutes from your own life to read these words today; I pray they bless you, that the Lord heals and sustains you, and that you come to know Him today like never before. Be blessed, and take care, dear Reader. 

God loves you. 💗

Psalm 118: His mercy endureth forever

 Good morning, et cetera, dear Reader, and welcome to this obscure American blog. And, yes, today IS yet another day above ground for you and for me (otherwise, we probably wouldn't be reading these words, but rather 'sleeping' in Sheol instead).
Thank You, Lord. 

Here is the full-text of Psalm 118:

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.

6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

7 The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

12 They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

13 I was pushed hard,[a] so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.

14 The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.

15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,

16 the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.

18 The Lord has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.

20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.

21 I thank You that You have answered me and have become my salvation.

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.[b]

23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.

27 The Lord is God, and He has made His light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to You; You are my God; I will extol You.

29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!

Footnotes
Psalm 118:13 Hebrew You (that is, the enemy) pushed me hard
Psalm 118:22 Hebrew the head of the corner

💜

Morning Thoughts on Friday May 23, 2025

Good morning (et cetera) dear Reader, and welcome to this obscure American blog on yet another day above ground! Let's be sobered by the awareness that not one of us deserved this day of life and none of us could have possibly earned it, either: today, this day of Life, that's a gift. 

Yesterday, in frustration, I finally came to the end of myself and honestly asked the Lord, "It's impossible for me to get a job working for anyone else, Lord, so why shouldn't I just end it all right now? I can never sustain myself that way, I've been trying all my life and even with my best efforts it never works out". Then, and this may strike you as odd (it did me) but I heard the John F. Kennedy famous quote of "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" and, in that moment, He gave me the epiphany realization that I've been looking at it all wrong! 
And, with the light now flooding what had been such deep darkness, I bravely asked "So, Lord, what would you like me to do for You?" and He flooded my mind and soul with new purpose and direction, inspiring me to gather together with others (my husband, some friends) and create a charity that serves others in our community. 
We have our target demographic, the company name, a potential building, and a rough-draft Grant Proposal ready for submission once it's agreed upon by all of us on the team. 

Now, what I am good at if anything is having something of a heart of service to others (which explains why, years ago, I quit a lucrative job in advertising in preference of waiting tables instead). Anyway, I know and trust that God will send His servants, people who have skills and talents far better than mine to fulfill the vision: hopefully a compassionate licensed social worker, medical professionals, strong people for security, someone with a talent for cleaning things, anyone and everyone with a heart to help and something they wish to contribute. And, we've all already agreed that none of us has any desire to pervert this initiative for personal enrichment; a modest salary to pay the bills is more than enough for each of us.

Further, with reference to the last blog entry, although I said true and correct things, I want to stress that, though flawed and imperfect, I feel that all of my parents did the best that they could with what they had to give. That's truly all anyone of us is capable of, and the last surviving parent I have - my adopted Dad - has no reason to feel shame. Nobody's perfect and I was very far from easy to raise. Just to put some honest perspective on the matter.

And, finally: I have no issue with being challenged on any point: let's talk about faith, politics, what have you. But, I expect for others to do so in good faith and by that, I mean that once it becomes clear to me that you are merely seeking to discredit, shame, or take me down then I will stop communicating with you because there's no point and I am not obligated to indulge your (apparent) pathological need to abuse me. So, rather than beat that dead horse (pursue that which can never be productive) I'll simply withdraw from the conversation. Anyone who wishes to try again in true good faith will be met by the same. Again: nobody's perfect, and that's okay. But I am going to quietly stick to pursuing that which is productive. 

Click HERE to read Grok AI's summary of today's morning devotion chapters (Proverbs 23 and Romans 15) if you like; thank you for spending some priceless moments of your life reading these words and considering them, if you do, and be blessed throughout the rest of your day, dear Reader. 💜