Steve Haarman

What do we stand for and

who do we stand for. 

We have been given a chance—

born in the greatest country and

endowed by our creator with rights

that we must not take for granted,

but stand up for and protect

all of these gifts for all of our people

even those who do not understand

the importance of these unalienable

rights.  We are a people but

politicians see only party,

while our president sees people. 

We must all stand for these people

for they are us in all forms and beliefs. 

To be real is not easy; to be effective

is not easy.  We must stand for

our convictions even while knowing

we may fall in defending these beliefs. 

We stand for our flag which represents

the freedoms and equality of all. 

There are misunderstandings and

those who kindle the flames of hatred. 

We stand to snuff out this hatred and

give everyone an equal chance at

obtaining the American Dream—

the summit of all human dreams.

We stand for these dreams but

kneel before the One who gave us

so much opportunity and responsibility. 

We stand to accept the challenge

He gave us, but kneel in thanksgiving and

in the asking for the grace to carry out His will

We stand to salute our flag and

kneel to praise our God

Stanski

August 28, 2020 ^

There are many questions

Shall I sell or stay put

Should I move or stand still

Life is a precious gift

We live in a world of chaos

Condition varies as in a wind whirl

The poorest among us

Have it better than royalty did

Just a couple of hundred years ago

Still complaints peal as would a bell

Luxury is in our midst

Many wonderful things to do

To accomplish if we so choose

But it is easy to stay idle

Dream of what could be

Never take the necessary action

Always ready with an excuse

Walk away from opportunity

Neglect those who are hungry

And those drinking tepid water

Who will we answer to

For our lack of concern?

We are all called, but

It is difficult to listen

Only a few of us are chosen

I am a lucky one

I know what to do and

Who I will answer to

It is so easy to say yes

But no seems to prevail

Eventually we will all see

And at the same time

Hear the gnashing of teeth

The cries of anguish

That were once ignored

Will be ignored again

Judgement must be endured

We should all ready ourselves

Listen closely as I speak the truth

Stanski

August 27, 2020 ^

I see a beautiful black man

He is only one of many whom

have gathered in a park

in Salt Lake City.  He and

his friends are from Sudan

and they are in the park to

play soccer.  My first thought

was that they all knew each

other, but as I overheard

their conversations I was

surprised that some were

strangers to others and I felt

I could have entered into

their group and talked about

what they were talking about—

family, church, where they

worked and lived.  They talked

about their children and how

they were doing at school and

what the future held for them. 

I did not enter into the chatting

because I thought they would

invite me to play.  There was

no way I could compete with

them.  I thought how outstanding

it was to have these people come

together on a Sunday afternoon

to meet and play.  There is such

a misunderstanding of people;

who they are and what they stand for. 

Somehow these gentlemen-sportsmen

made it to our shores and even though

unknown to each other at first

have managed to make a go of

it in this great country. 

It made me very proud

Stanski

August 27, 2020 ^

Respect is something we should not discount. 

It is an element that when incorporated

will not allow indifference in negotiations. 

It does not mean that we have to cave,

but stand on our truth and idealism

without flinching.  We look back on

our officials in the near past.  They

have been complicit in the incorporation

of smoke and mirrors.  The media dances

with them carrying the water.  Many

billions of dollars were at stake and

millions of those dollars went to

Joe Biden’s son and even more to

his extended family.  The media is

silent and journalism has not been

reincorporated so the truth remains

covered up and in fact accusations of

corruption moved to the opposing party. 

This of course is not respect but vicious

attacks on reality.  Agreements are broken

and what should be is denied because

of potential consequences.  Our concept of

the past cannot be destroyed. 

The pledge to our flag should not erase God. 

He has been ignored, but then the truth was denied.

His betrayers do not want to talk about this because

they know they have no grounds to stand on. 

This is our country and we see what the

founders envisioned vanishing before our eyes. 

This has to stop.  We must remain one nation

under God with liberty and justice for all.

Stanski

August 27, 2020 ^

A Sam’s Club truck crosses the river

It is headed to a larger city where

many customers are located. 

It doesn’t really matter where. 

The Walton Family is the richest

family in the United States. 

They own Walmart and Sam’ Club

and have devastated many

downtowns across the nation. 

They buy from China which helps

China and works against us. 

Jobs are lost as well as healthcare  

and other unintended consequences

come into play also.  This is of no

count to those profiting.  Without

doubt it was unwise to allow China

into the World Trade Organization. 

It was a kind thought, but China does

not play by the rules and is a predator,

a cheater as well as a thief.  They lie

and break agreements, violate human

rights with impunity.  Our country

cannot allow this to continue.  We

must block China in every way we can.

It would be wise to withdraw from

the United Nations as they are compliant

in allowing China to roam free.  Our

manufactures must bring their factories

home even if the cost of their products go up. 

They have to look at long term.   What looks

good to them now will eventually be taken

away from them.  There will be no recourse. 

The Sam’s Club driver will drive for someone else. 

If we hold our ground now by pressuring in

every way possible including tariffs and refusing

to buy Chinese goods we can break this system

which is so detrimental.  It has to be America first

or there will be no America as we know it today.

Stanski

August 27, 2020 ^

It is so difficult to understand why

“Peaceful protestors” want to ruin

the cities they live in.  Are they just

waiting for an excuse to begin anarchy?

Normal citizens are not that organized

A policeman should not shoot anyone

unless it is absolutely necessary.  The

idea that a criminal is a victim and

retaliation should take place to the extent

that businesses are destroyed by looting

and fire is not normal, but rather a conspiracy.

It is a continuation of the overreaction to

The death of George Floyd, who died

a terrible death inflicted by one bad policeman. 

Insurrection across the country has cost

billions of dollars which the tax payers

will eventually pay for, whether they know it or not.

People and groups they belong to,

who do not love this country are the ones

promoting violence and paying

the Black Lives Matter Group and

the Antifa people to show up, advocate,

and lead the protestors to violent action.

Governors and mayors stand down and

the police are also told to stand down while

people watch what they have been working

for go up in smoke after the looting has taken place.

This will eventually end and sanity and order will be

restored, but people’s lives will be changed forever.

People look for blame and guilt but there is

enough to go around.  We, the living, have

to get involved in putting an end to the circle of injustice.

“De-fund the police” is not an answer.  Keeping

promises of improved education, improving

depressed neighborhoods, creating jobs and

instilling self-worth to those constantly overlooked

by politicians after having made the promises to

these citizens to improve condition.  Solutions are

obvious but implementing them takes courage. 

I hear the rhetoric but it echoes down the by-way

like the disappearing dreams of yesterday.

Someday, we may learn

Stanski

August 26, 2020 ^

It is hard to speak you mind

because of censorship. 

Who has the right to censor? 

To give a contrary opinion is one thing

but to lock down a legitimate commentary

goes against everything we believe in. 

We do not believe in bullying into consent. 

China does not allow free speech.  

People are executed for contrary opinions. 

We must not suppress free thought.

The left-wing culture is to silence Americans,

indoctrinate those in our Educational system,

increase regulations and taxes,

defund our police and border security. 

Liberals fight back to cancel culture. 

Groups are separated into conflicting entities. 

The woke generation forgets the constitution.

We cannot trust them because they are racists. 

They promote with sincerity the Climate Hoax. 

Social media bans conservatives from their sites. 

Vulnerable people become like hungry sheep. 

They will follow the social fake media over the cliff. 

We are the last great hope and must drain the swamp 

There will never be total power;

former dedicated liberals agree. 

One by one critical thinking brings them to their senses. 

Let us hope their people follow them.

It would make for a bright future.

Stanski

August 26, 2020^

Autos speed along

heading for somewhere. 

Important thing to do 

Life goes on as in normal

But is not as it should be

Across the country anarchists

are “peacefully” burning cities 

Police Departments are defunded 

Destruction and looting are manifest

Portland has been under siege for

nearly three months 

It is more than concern for

the blacks who have been oppressed

It is about the destruction of democracy 

Protestors are funded by Marxist Groups 

Chaos is what is wanted 

This in the midst of the China Virus

No end in sight as the innocent are

murdered in record numbers

Each week seemingly gets worse

Hope evaporates as mayors ignore

and Governors sit by and do nothing

They promote injustice with their silence

wanting disruption until the election

Then things will stop as there will be

no more purpose in carrying on

Pleas will be made for money to

repair and rebuild the cities 

Much will be lost forever 

The blame will be pointed out

but today in our neck of

the woods we carry on as normal,

wearing masks and social distancing

Stanski

August 25, 2020 ^

Many things are called surreal

Especially now with the Chana Virus

I feel this way as well

Surrealism is enchanting

Reality however supersedes it

Commercials continue as though

Everything is normal

This is far from the truth

Who can enjoy luxury

When there is so much suffering?

We have to take a step back

Look at ourselves in this wonderful world

Acknowledge our precious gift of life

Ask ourselves about liberty

And the pursuit of happiness

So many places do not have this

What are we to do?

We have little power alone

We can pray together, but

Not expect miracles as answers

We can react to what is in front of us

There are needs which we can fulfill

Jesus said, “Follow Me”, and we must

We have to reach out to the many

Who are suffering or causing suffering

We cannot be judgmental, knowing

That we all have weaknesses

We must empty ourselves for others

Let others follow the example

This is what is real, we call it action

Walking the walk with no pontificating

The surreal will pass, the needs remain ongoing

May we be wise in His Name.

Stanski

August 24, 2020 ^

It is so hard to believe

That men see need and

Remain idle doing nothing

To help and when approached

They have questions usually presented

In a way that will ease or be reliable as

An excuse for their doing nothing

No one is required to give of themselves

In order to improve condition for others

Most will not know that they were neglectful

To be proactive is to address the problems

And be part of the solutions

It is not to offer excuses

Or duck inherent responsibilities

There is a time to say yes

A time to be a leader, not to be called hero,

But because it is just the right thing to do

You put your name on the line and make the

Commitment because life is out of order

Recognizing it and digesting the ramifications

You take time to stand up and speak

Knowing it is not a time for silence, which

Would allow misery to progress, but time

To finally refuse to consent to this

We have been instructed

To go to the fringes and

Assist in solving what is wrong

He who remains silent is

Understood to consent

They agree that the errors

Of mankind are okay and

Not their problem as they

Are above it all and are

Willing to live through the

Consequences of their inactivity

We are looking for good men

We listen for their answer, but

They remain silent, advocating

The wrath which will soon descend

Those who remain silent are

Advocating an outcome of misery

Stanski

August 23, 2020 ^