I understand my first western, "Blake's War" is not taking off as we had hoped. Maybe the Christian market isn't ready for westerns that don't involve a lot of mushy stuff. But, I'll continue to write with eyes on the Christian market. The Bible stores need books for men. Just wanted to keep you updated. I also have high hopes on "Legend of Silene". Writing it I was recalling the so-call "juvenile novels" of Robert Heinlein, a great Sci-Fiction write, now deceased. He wrote "Starship Troopers", which was listed under his juvenile class. I read almost every book he wrote, enjoying them, The first book I read and enjoyed was over 35 years ago when I read his "Glory Road". This book set me off on the reading trend I am on today. "Glory Road", is one book that I can see a movie being made of, a fantastic science-fiction and I do recommend it to all of you. Reading is a great relaxation, borders on escapism if the authors is a good one. My favorite western author is of course Louie L'amour, a man who was rejected over 350 times before his magazine stories took off. The great thing about his books is how when he mentions a creek, a river, a hill or an Indian village, he was there. He knew the American Southwest better than anyone else I knew of. His "Sackett's" Stories are world famous, having been made into a 3-night TV movie and now on DVD. Good stories and he wrote I believe 15 Sackett books. His other books number in the dozens. Now deceased his children continue on having his unpublished works reach the market and wrapping up his biography.
I set down last night and figured out how I needed to wrap up my other stories before I started on "Massacre", the fiction account of the true story related to the Mountain Meadows Massacre. I have 5 books to edit on my own and then pass them on to Susan for final editing. After "Legend of Silene", my story "Rookie" will be the next one to be published. A fictional account of my early days on the Dillingham Police Department, using almost all my old cases. Following "Rookie" is "Stronghold", based loosely on my second department, also with almost all my cases. Here, Mona and I took on a witches coven, where historical graveyards were being used for animal sacrifices. A hard place to be for a very young Christian to experience, but it taught me A LOT. The coven had been around since the days of the Gold Rush in 1898, where a town sprung up based on greed, murder, sex trade, muggings, theft, suicide and a home to the insane. A Whiteman's town-Skagway, where in my time the two churches struggled greatly to even exist. The Catholic Church had closed its doors long ago, but I hope things changed. I plan 5 books based on my history for the "Badge and the Cross" series, plus three books having no relationship to me, but based here in Alaska.
Have you ever noticed how writers like to write. Yes, I can get long winded, but stay tuned to this journal's news, followed by some fact by Uncle John's Bathroom Reader. I got a new one for Christmas, but I'm still working on the TV facts.
NEWS: Please, be advised some of these contact dispense Propaganda.
Jerusalem Online: South Africa downgrades it embassy in support of the Palestinians. ALSO- Hamas warns- "Don't follow Israeli pages on Social Media." (Makes me wonder if the Hamas will come visiting me. But, I sincerely doubt it, to far to tunnel and I'm heavily armed. Then there is my lovely wife, she'd sit them down and bring them to salvation and we won't behead them afterward.)
Gatestone Institute News: "Canada: Obsessed With "Islamophobia" Report by Judith Bergman on 12/21/17. "The current government seems not to believe that Islamic terrorism in Canada even exists." "The message is that terrorism is 'diverse' and has nothing to do with Islam. However Public Safety Canada's list of terrorist entities contains 54 terrorist groups. 46 of which are Islamic terrorists groups." "For anti-Muslim graffiti in Canada, you receive 5-months of jail time, but inciting an entire congregation to kill Jewish citizens does not even merit prosecution." (This is what is happening to our across the border neighbor.) ALSO- "Hate crimes against Muslims fell 2016, but those against Jews have increased."
Global Times: China-"Chinese scientists say penguins date back 14,600 years, 6,000 yrs earlier than previously thought. ( I wonder if this came about after that prehistoric penguin skeleton was found in the New Zealand area?) ALSO- Chinese soldiers advised to increase awareness to espionage- to protect information being given over regular phone traffic as other countries have been found asking questions concerning military units. (United States was not listed). ALSO- China says its alleged entry into South Korean air space was not for targeting any nation. Saying it was only part of its annual exercise. ALSO - Sudan urges African countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), if it failed to respond to African demands. ALSO- Thick smog keeps schools closed for 4-days straight in Tehran, Iran.ALSO- Report that 1,600 ISIS fights have been killed in past 9-months in Afghanistan. ALSO- Saudi-led coalition announced 85% of Yemen's lands under the control of elected Yemeni Government. ALSO: Iran summons Swiss envoy to protest U.S. Missile allegations.
NEWS NOW: Australia to end airstrikes in Syria and Iraq following a reported victory over ISIS in Australia. ALSO: Myanmar arrests Reuters reporters, ALSO- Raul Castro, current President of Cuba has had his resignation postponed for at least two months. ALSO- China is now holding up the U.S. "Call To Action" against ships said to be aiding North Korea. ( I have to wonder if its because China is nervous about North Korea targeting Peking with some of its reported 7,000 ballistic short range missiles?) ALSO- Canada Bread and Walmart being investigated for price fixing. ALSO- "Puppy Farming" to be targeted by the UK Government. (puppy farming?)
Jerusalem Online: "Israel Withdraws From UNESCO" , United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which has shown itself to be pro-Islam and anti-Semitic leanings. ALSO -ISIS recently attempted to murder Egyptian Defense Minister with rockets fired at his aircraft." ALSO- Romania considering the transfer of their embassy to Jerusalem.
Gatestone: France- Report that in France today , anyone who dares question Islam or Islamism in relation to violence and terrorism, now risks being hauled to court and tried as a racist. ( Really, how much of this pertains to a fear factor, hoping that not fighting the radicals might keep another terrorist attack from happening in France? Fear- their real weapon to use against Europe and now crossing the Atlantic to the United States. Even the Islamic in the US fear the radical faction and wish it would rather it stay back home.)
The Daily Signal Morning Bell: President Trump approves the United States providing lethal weapons sales to the Ukraine, angering Moscow. ( Appears a new war is coming in this area, which could easily lead to a European War, for fear Russia might desire more than just the Ukraine.)
Patriotic Viral News: "Four different senators that wanted Senator Franken's resignation over sexual misconduct, which was set for early January 2018, have now reversed themselves for fear of losing the senator's power in the senate. (So much for democrats holding the morale high ground. Senator's not named.)
Washington Free Beacon: US sanctions top Myanmar-Burmese General and others over Human Rights Abuses. ALSO- U.S. life expectancy is down for 2nd year, driven by drug overdose deaths.
BLAZE News: "The VA illegally allowed hospitals to hire doctors with REVOKED medical licenses since 2002. ( This makes me mad!!! If the investigation proves out). ALSO "An NFL executive admitted the anti-anthem protests by NFL players have hurt his team's attendance significantly. ALSO- Actress Jodie Foster states, "Pretty much every man over 30 has played a part in Sexual Harassment", (Thank you, Jodie, everyone has an opinion and you've voiced yours, and now maybe I can say something about female actresses....NOT)
NEWS NOW: Christian lands in Jerusalem could be confiscated, warn UK church leaders. ALSO- A turtle was found floating in the sea, with a large bag of cocaine tied to it. ( makes one wonder how they get the critter to go in the right direction?) ALSO- Report that Jakarta is sinking so fast it could all end up underwater- also carried in New York Times.
Moscow Times: "Putin offers debt relief to 42 million Russians 'just before the coming elections'. " ALSO- "Russia to grant police access to bank customer's bio-metric data.
Telegraph UK: Prime Minister Theresa May in Brexit bind as she faces calls to condemn anti-democratic Polish Government. ( Polish leaders are freely elected by the Polish citizens. I Wonder what gives these other countries the right to condemn Poland for their decision to refuse entry by migrants. They've seen what is going on in these other countries that have been overrun with migrants. What ever happened to a country's freedom to govern themselves?) ALSO- Germany's Interior Minister says Germany needs an Antisemitism commissioner. ( Really, another Jew hater in German's government...1933 all over again???)
Telegraph Spain- "Gibraltar accuses the European Union of treating its citizens 'shamefully' over Brexit."
Telegraph Italy: "Ambulance crewman accused of killing patients and selling them to Mafia funeral parlors." ALSO- Pope Francis says "Reforming the Vatican as hard as cleaning the Sphinx with a toothbrush" ( I like this guy.)
Telegraph Poland- "It's hypocritical of the EU to call Poland 'undemocratic'."
Telegraph China: "China outcry as Taiwan arrests pro-Bejing party members accused of spying".
Manila Times: "Australia seizes $760 million dollars worth of Meth in its largest bust ever. ( I wonder if they came in by turtle.)
Global Times: Santa Claus was a major hit in China. ALSO- A man dressed in a Santa suit rides a camel through old Jerusalem. ALSO- Illegal immigrants in Libya reach 700,000 people.
Jerusalem Online: Russia claims ISIS regrouping in Afghanistan. Report that thousands of ISIS fighters have fled Syria and Iraq and now gathering in Afghanistan. The official who made this report accuses the U.S. of ignoring the new threat. (I really doubt that, as we recently sent additional troops over there.) ALSO- Saudi Arabia denies Israeli chess players visas for international event. ALSO Russia - Female TV personality to run in the Russian Presidential Election
Washington Free Beacon: Report that a Marine veteran was denied VA care after waiting a whole year for treatment. Retired U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Rick Disney had served for a year when he broke his heel on a repelling tower, but continued on, suffering leg and back injuries. He served overseas in anti-terrorism operations and his new injuries were believed to have been caused for the original accident on duty. He suffered pain for over a decade. He had then spent 6 months undergoing tests, no treatment, and was denied medial benefits. ( I am also on service related disability and it can take more than one, even two attempts before your benefits come. Seems they just deny a lot of the first times in hopes they won't try again and the VA saves money. This isn't right.)
Gatestone: Europe- "The Islamization of Christmas- The re-theologizing of Christmas is based on the false premise that the Jesus of the Bible is the Jesus (Isa) of the Quron. The Religious fusion sometimes referred to as 'Chrislam' is gaining ground in a West that has become illiterate. This year's Christmas season has been marked by Islam-related controversies in nearly every European country, ostensibly to ensure the Muslims will not be offended by a Christian festival." (Meanwhile, Christians and Jews in Muslim countries are being imprisoned , tortured and killed) ALSO- Fundamentalist Muslims in Turkey and elsewhere do not see Jihad forced conversions or other forms of persecution against non-Muslims as criminal."
Jerusalem Post: 300 new homes to be built in East Jerusalem, despite a U.S. request not to build them. (Wonder how President Trump would feel if he was told not to build another golf course in the United States?)
Global Times: Turkey- Sacks (fires) 2,700 people working in public institutions over alleged links to terror groups- reported to be the latest purge following the failed coup.
That's all the news for now, so lets go to Uncle John's Bathroom Reader's facts on TV:
First cartoon show made for TV: NBC's Crusader Rabbit in 1949.
Frank Sinatra's last TV appearance was on Who's the Boss.
In 1949 the TV Industry operated at a $25 million loss.
First person to diaper a baby on television was Archie Bunker on All in the Family
New prime-time TV shows have only a 35% chance of making to a second season.
During the entire 6-years of ChiPs, (yes, it is spelled that way), neither Jon nor Ponch ever used a gun. (They played California Highway Patrolman on motorcycles. But, they were never called CHiPs, their nickname was actually Chippies or Chippy's)
Country with the most TV sets per capita in 2012 was Norway, with 1.5 sets per person. ( the U.S. finished 6th)....the volume of Uncle John's was put out in 2012.)
William Shatner ( Star Trek Captain) played "Ranger Bob", on the Canadian version of Howdy Doody. (I wonder if he tore his shirt off during a 4th of his episodes, like he did in Star Trek?)
OK, I'll let you go now and I check in with you again after New Years. So, please drive safe. you may not be intoxicated but it doesn't mean the driver behind you or coming your way isn't drunk. Use designated drivers. I can't tell you how many accidents I worked involving intoxication and so many ended up with injuries or fatalities. Be safe, and have a very Happy New Year from all of us here in Moose Pass, Alaska. Population about 230. God Bless, BILL