Anslinger Being Tough?
Harry Anslinger was a United States government official who served as the first commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Bureau of Narcotics. He was a supporter of prohibition and the criminalization of drugs, and played a pivotal role in cannabis prohibition. [1]
Excerpt from the book:
Many people assume what we call the War on Drugs began in 1971 during the Nixon Administration. Some believe “the War” began during Prohibition due to the relentless efforts of a racist and moralist federal agent named Harry Anslinger. [2]
Continuing later in the book:
Anslinger was a bureaucratic empire-builder and he saw marijuana as the leverage needed to expand the size and power of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. He railed against the use of reefer, weed, or pot by blacks, particularly black entertainers. Anslinger hated jazz with its free-wheeling lack of rigid structure and he equated it with what he viewed as black depravity. Black bandleader Cab Calloway had a 1933 hit song called Reefer Man featured in the movie International House. Anslinger must have been furious. [2]
References:
- Wikipedia, Harry Jacob Anslinger
- Prisoner of War: The Story of White Boy Rick and The War on Drugs by Vince Wade – Page 20, 39
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- A Little Love
Thoughts and Creative Nuggets by Art Fettig that Change People’s Lives
Art Fettig ARCHIVES Home Page | About | Publications | Poems | Music | Videos
Available through Amazon LInk Maybe it is me, but I have never seen so much anger, so much hatred on display as I have in our current political campaign. I am reminded of the lines written by Richard Rogers for that wonderful play and movie South Pacific. They went…
“You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear
You’ve got to be taught from year to year.
It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear.
You’ve got to be carefully taught”I recently discovered a biography of Oscar Hammerstein by Hugh Fordin which has been gathering dust on a shelf upstairs in my music room. Mr. Hammerstein wrote a second verse that did not appear in that play.Few people have ever heard this verse. I think we need his message more than ever today.
“Love is quite different, it grows by itself
It can grow like a weed on a mountain of stone
You don’t have to feed it or put fat on its bones.
It can live on a smile or the note of a song
It may stop for a while but it stumbles along
Stumbles along with its banners unfurled
The joy and the beauty; the hope of the world.”Let’s all give love a try now.
Recommended Reading
Art Fettigs The Platinum Rule Available from Amazoncom via our Affiliate Link The Platinum Rule by Art Fettig
The Age Old Secret to Happiness and Prosperity. If you believe in the Golden Rule then, just maybe, you are one of those fortunate few who are ready to take a giant step forwaqrd in your lives to fame, fortune and a great new plateau of personal satisfaction.
Art Fettig has identified a little known key to wealth and happiness in his book The Platinum rule. I hope that millions of people discover this little book and apply this giving formula. Trul their lives will be enriched and certainly this will be a better world.” – The Wickman Formula, Executive Press 1991
- A whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Thoughts and Creative Nuggets by Art Fettig that Change People’s Lives
Art Fettig ARCHIVES Home Page | About | Publications | Poems | Music | Videos
Singer Jerry Lee Lewis used to sing about “A whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on.” Well I predict that in Washington in the very near future there will be “A whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on.” Already there are some real signs of stress from the leaders of several of our Allies. And there is uncertainty about how changes that will soon occur in Washington might impact our own personal lives.
So many times I have thought, “Somebody ought to go into that Immigration Department and really shake things up.” Or the same for so many others like V.A., FBI, CIA, Drug Administration, Criminal Justice, etc. etc. etc.
The winds of change are picking up speed. Who knows the extent of possibilities for changes and how they might impact our personal future and that of our nation for good or for bad.
Recommended Reading
Art Fettigs The Platinum Rule Available from Amazoncom via our Affiliate Link The Platinum Rule by Art Fettig
The Age Old Secret to Happiness and Prosperity. If you believe in the Golden Rule then, just maybe, you are one of those fortunate few who are ready to take a giant step forwaqrd in your lives to fame, fortune and a great new plateau of personal satisfaction.
Art Fettig has identified a little known key to wealth and happiness in his book The Platinum rule. I hope that millions of people discover this little book and apply this giving formula. Trul their lives will be enriched and certainly this will be a better world.” – The Wickman Formula, Executive Press 1991
- Supermoon
Thoughts and Creative Nuggets by Art Fettig that Change People’s Lives
Art Fettig ARCHIVES Home Page | About | Publications | Poems | Music | Videos
Yes, at our home that supermoon was peeping through the trees. They say that it was the largest, brightest full moon in nearly seven decades – as it made its way across the skies on Sunday and Monday nights.We had lots of clouds but then the clouds gradually disappeared and we saw that beautiful bright moon a shining down on us and all was right with the world. Next supermoon is expected in 2034 – thought we should see THIS one! May God continue to bless all America and bring us world peace.
Recommended Reading
Art Fettigs The Platinum Rule Available from Amazoncom via our Affiliate Link The Platinum Rule by Art Fettig
The Age Old Secret to Happiness and Prosperity. If you believe in the Golden Rule then, just maybe, you are one of those fortunate few who are ready to take a giant step forwaqrd in your lives to fame, fortune and a great new plateau of personal satisfaction.
Art Fettig has identified a little known key to wealth and happiness in his book The Platinum rule. I hope that millions of people discover this little book and apply this giving formula. Trul their lives will be enriched and certainly this will be a better world.” – The Wickman Formula, Executive Press 1991
- Baaad Dude
Thoughts and Creative Nuggets by Art Fettig that Change People’s Lives
Art Fettig ARCHIVES Home Page | About | Publications | Poems | Music | Videos
Is that really December coming on up the road right there? Will we so soon be running out of 2016? What were those goals I set last January 1st?
A couple of days ago I went to the back of our front closet in our living room and brought out my old black leather jacket purchased from a street merchant in Istanbul, Turkey in 1999. I say “my old black, etc.”
Actually its condition is brand spanking new. It has been tried on annually since I bought it, but never really warn. Never, since I purchased it, has it felt so roomy. Finally I somehow mustered up the discipline to stick with my own exercise-diet plan and twenty pounds has vanished, one ounce at a time.
In the interest of credibility I just went back to that front closet and donned my now precious leather jacket. I zipped it up, snapped the snaps and glided up the steps in my office on up to my music room and stood tall in front of that big full length mirror and there wasn’t a bit of bulge in my middle section. There was plenty of room in that jacket in the shoulders and arms. Haughtily I raised my collar and put on my Marlo Brando bad look and sure enough I looked as baaad as I’ve ever looked and for a while I forgot that I was 87 headed into 2017 and 88.
We have a local poets meeting this coming Saturday at Anna Maria’s Pizza and I plan to wear my jacket. Right next door to Anna Maria’s is a bar where, on Saturdays, it is filled with people wearing black leather jackets. The parking lot is filled with several dozen motorcycles. Inside they have a heavy metal band blasting out. I just might find the courage to enter that bar after our poetry meeting and model my fit fitting leather jacket. I just might unsnap and unzip my jacket and display my big silver Harley Eagle belt buckle and strike a pose standing at the bar with my diet coke in my hand. I look forward to December and the new year because I have become one baaad dude.
Recommended Reading
Art Fettigs The Platinum Rule Available from Amazoncom via our Affiliate Link The Platinum Rule by Art Fettig
The Age Old Secret to Happiness and Prosperity. If you believe in the Golden Rule then, just maybe, you are one of those fortunate few who are ready to take a giant step forwaqrd in your lives to fame, fortune and a great new plateau of personal satisfaction.
Art Fettig has identified a little known key to wealth and happiness in his book The Platinum rule. I hope that millions of people discover this little book and apply this giving formula. Trul their lives will be enriched and certainly this will be a better world.” – The Wickman Formula, Executive Press 1991
- Life Begins When You Let Go of Fear – by Dr. Ross Reck
Pixabay The above is a quote from the spiritual teacher, Osho. What he’s telling us is that if we aren’t careful, fear can hold us back and keep us from enjoying life to the fullest. Former television commentator Charles Kuralt said it this way, “Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends, fads and popular opinion.” Likewise, Dale Carnegie said, “The person who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.” The lesson here is that to get the most out of life, we must be willing to take a few risks. The good news is that taking risks makes life exciting, results in personal growth, expands our comfort zone, builds our confidence, and strengthens our self-image. Even if you fail, you still grow and learn. So, the next time you are tempted to turn down a challenging opportunity, remember the words of Robert Frost, “Two roads diverging in a wood. I took the one less traveled and it made all the difference.”
References:
- ‘Tis The Season
Thoughts and Creative Nuggets by Art Fettig that Change People’s Lives
Art Fettig ARCHIVES Home Page | About | Publications | Poems | Music | Videos
Brooke Cagle When is the last time someone described you as jolly ’tis the season to be Jolly, Fa la la la la , la la la la. So how Jolly are you?
Jolly happy and cheerful. “He was a jolly man, full of jokes.”
Snyonms” cheerful · happy · cheery · good-humored · jovial · merry
When is the last time someone described you as “jolly”?Whatta ya say we all set out to become “Jolly” for the rest of this month of December? For some of us that would really be a stretch. I’m afraid that sometimes, if I smiled for a whole morning my lips might break up and fall off my face. But, somehow, there might be hope for me. Just the other day I was riding my stationary bicycle and I caught myself smiling and singing right out loud. I felt like my head was above the clouds and I could see the stars up real close. It was a magnificent feeling as though I had an excess of oxygen in my system and I was experiencing a happy high. I might have even expressed it as being “Jolly!”
Now I must remember those jolly lyrics, they go “Fa la la la la, la la la la”
And I just tried out a full smile and it didn’t hurt me at all. This just might work. I feel Jolly. Join me.
Recommended Reading
Art Fettigs The Platinum Rule Available from Amazoncom via our Affiliate Link The Platinum Rule by Art Fettig
The Age Old Secret to Happiness and Prosperity. If you believe in the Golden Rule then, just maybe, you are one of those fortunate few who are ready to take a giant step forwaqrd in your lives to fame, fortune and a great new plateau of personal satisfaction.
Art Fettig has identified a little known key to wealth and happiness in his book The Platinum rule. I hope that millions of people discover this little book and apply this giving formula. Trul their lives will be enriched and certainly this will be a better world.” – The Wickman Formula, Executive Press 1991
- A New Point of View
Thoughts and Creative Nuggets by Art Fettig that Change People’s Lives
Art Fettig ARCHIVES Home Page | About | Publications | Poems | Music | Videos
From my office desk I can look up the stairs to my music room and see this big half-round topped window which faces West. It just dawned on me that if I were to move a few of my drums I could put a chair in there and witness these breathtaking fall sunsets we are being blessed with right now. That window has been there some fifteen years and I never took the time to figure that out before. I can watch them from my lazy boy chair in the living room but this might give me a fresh perspective. What do they say about changing your point of view? Adjusting your focus? Zooming in on the real beauty all around us?
Recommended Reading
Art Fettigs The Platinum Rule Available from Amazoncom via our Affiliate Link The Platinum Rule by Art Fettig
The Age Old Secret to Happiness and Prosperity. If you believe in the Golden Rule then, just maybe, you are one of those fortunate few who are ready to take a giant step forwaqrd in your lives to fame, fortune and a great new plateau of personal satisfaction.
Art Fettig has identified a little known key to wealth and happiness in his book The Platinum rule. I hope that millions of people discover this little book and apply this giving formula. Trul their lives will be enriched and certainly this will be a better world.” – The Wickman Formula, Executive Press 1991
- Let There Be Peace
Thoughts and Creative Nuggets by Art Fettig that Change People’s Lives
Art Fettig ARCHIVES Home Page | About | Publications | Poems | Music | Videos
Peter Lloyd “Let There Be Peace On Earth: And Let It Begin With Me.” Vince Gill recorded that song years ago and every Christmas that song comes to my mind. Peace is very popular at Christmastime.”Peace be with you.” “And to you too, Brother.”
I visited an Alzheimer facility recently and approached a middle aged man who was holding his head. He looked really stressed out and hurting. I asked him if he was OK, if I could help. He said “All I want is someplace where I can have peace and quiet.” I asked him where was the most peaceful place he had ever found in his life.” He said he would have to give that some thought. I said that the most peaceful place I ever found was in my own mind but I had to really work at it. I’d think about a peaceful valley with trees and grass and a small stream. I’d be alone, just watching the water flow and I’d think about a peaceful world where everybody loved everybody and there was no war and people were at peace with one another and most importantly with themselves. That fellow who was holding his head looked relaxed and smiled at me and I said, “Now you have a good peaceful day.” I smiled back and went on my way. I felt much better about peace and goodwill and life in general. Peace be with you all.
Recommended Reading
Art Fettigs The Platinum Rule Available from Amazoncom via our Affiliate Link The Platinum Rule by Art Fettig
The Age Old Secret to Happiness and Prosperity. If you believe in the Golden Rule then, just maybe, you are one of those fortunate few who are ready to take a giant step forwaqrd in your lives to fame, fortune and a great new plateau of personal satisfaction.
Art Fettig has identified a little known key to wealth and happiness in his book The Platinum rule. I hope that millions of people discover this little book and apply this giving formula. Trul their lives will be enriched and certainly this will be a better world.” – The Wickman Formula, Executive Press 1991
- Stayin’ Alive
Thoughts and Creative Nuggets by Art Fettig that Change People’s Lives
Art Fettig ARCHIVES Home Page | About | Publications | Poems | Music | Videos
Never give up Recently somebody asked me,”Art, what are your goals for 2017?” and I began singing that old Bee Gee’s song from 1977, “Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin alive, stayin alive. Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin alive.”
When you ask a little kid how old he is he will hold up four fingers and say, “I will be five next month.” Ask me and I will tell you, “I will be 88 in July.”
My friend Ed Myles who is the same age summed it up this way. “Art, I don’t have an enemy in the world. I outlived all them bast – – – s.”
One of my goals for being 87 was to finish my autobiography but to really finish that I would have to drop dead. I would much rather carry on and face the challenge of discovering new ways to help make this a better world. I want to discover different avenues for reaching people and touching their lives in a positive way.
As long as I can still walk into a room and share a smile or a laugh or bring just one ray of sunshine into somebody’s life then I plan to do it. And if I can no longer walk into a room then I pray that I will find a way to ride into a room somehow and share the joy of living.
So what is my goal for 2017? To “never give up! Never give up! Never give up!” Winston Churchill said that so many years ago and it saved a nation.
I’m stayin’ Alive! Stayin’ Alive!
Recommended Reading
Art Fettigs The Platinum Rule Available from Amazoncom via our Affiliate Link The Platinum Rule by Art Fettig
The Age Old Secret to Happiness and Prosperity. If you believe in the Golden Rule then, just maybe, you are one of those fortunate few who are ready to take a giant step forwaqrd in your lives to fame, fortune and a great new plateau of personal satisfaction.
Art Fettig has identified a little known key to wealth and happiness in his book The Platinum rule. I hope that millions of people discover this little book and apply this giving formula. Trul their lives will be enriched and certainly this will be a better world.” – The Wickman Formula, Executive Press 1991
- Noem, Kristi
Pixabay Stupid Things I Say and Stupid Things I Do
MISSING BLANKET
During an official trip, Noem had to switch planes because of a maintenance issue. Her personal blanket did not get moved to the replacement aircraft. Her adviser Corey Lewandowski allegedly fired the U.S. Coast Guard pilot after the blanket was left behind. The pilot was then told to take a commercial flight home — but later rehired when no other pilot was available. [People.com, Becca Longmire, February 13, 2026 – Coast Guard Pilot Was Fired After Kristi Noem’s Blanket Got Left Behind on Plane: Report][Wall Street Journal, Michelle Hackman, Josh Dawsey, Tarini Parti, February 12, 2026 – A Pilot Fired Over Kristi Noem’s Missing Blanket and the Constant Chaos Inside DHS – Secretary, with close adviser Corey Lewandowski, faces fire for confrontational immigration crackdown and self-promotional style; White House to wind down Minnesota operations]
VOTING
Democracy is when voters choose their leaders. Autocracy is when leaders choose their voters. [Seth Cotlar]
Kristi Noem: “When it gets to Election Day, we’ve been proactive to make sure we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country.”
SUPER BOWL HALF TIME SHOW
Kristi Noem: The NFL “suck[s]” for picking Bad Bunny and that the league “won’t be able to sleep at night,” in a politically charged rant criticizing the selection.
HABEAS CORPUS
In a Senate budget hearing, Noem said habeas corpus is “a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country.”
“I’m not a constitutional lawyer, but I believe it does [provide a legal rationale for suspending habeas corpus].” — speaking in a House committee context when asked if immigration qualifies as an “invasion.” [Reuters.com, Ted Hesson, May 14, 2025 – US homeland chief says illegal immigration levels could warrant suspending habeas corpus]
Legal experts immediately corrected her — habeas corpus is actually the right to a court review of detention, not a tool to remove people. This prompted public ridicule and headlines accusing her of misunderstanding basic legal principles.
KIM JONG UN and A DOG
In her memoir, she published stories claiming she had met foreign leaders like Kim Jong Un, which multiple news outlets later reported as false. She also described how she shot and killed her young dog after calling it “untrainable,” a personal anecdote that received broad media attention and public mockery.
NATIVE INDIANS
As governor, Noem said that children on some tribal reservations “don’t have any hope” and that tribal leaders were benefiting from drug cartels — remarks that tribal officials called offensive and inaccurate, leading all nine federally recognized tribes in South Dakota to officially ban her from their lands
IMMIGATION
At a meeting, Noem claimed “half of Minnesota visas are fraudulent” and implied state officials were responsible, drawing criticism that she was exaggerating or mischaracterizing data to attack political opponents.
Reporters and commentators have noted instances where Noem snapped at questions or offered defensive answers on complex issues such as ICE operations or immigration policy — sometimes interpreted as flustered or evasive.
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