Toni V. Lee

Listen, would you give a homeless person a string bikini in the dead of winter and expect them to be grateful to you for what you’ve done for them? Yesterday, while pressure washing my driveway, I finished listening to RAGE. The book wraps up with a more in-depth look at the coronavirus response. I haven’t focused on that, but it’s very concerning.  Individuals are finding the courage to corroborate reports about the mishandling of one of the most devastating events that may occur during our lifetime. Trump has presented an alternate reality to the American people and it’s up to them to believe it or seek the truth. Donald Trump presents a different truth to his base, but he admitted to Bob Woodward in an interview that he knows there is systemic racism in America. He also admitted he doesn’t feel a responsibility AT ALL to have a better understanding of the pain of Black America. Here’s my personal translation of these statements: Trump really does NOT care about people of color f...

  The hate and anger enveloping this nation is great and deep. I read a FB post where the person was so angry at Democrats, they wished they could be God long enough to send them all to Hell. Another referred to Democrats scathingly as Demoncrats. I wonder if they realize Democrats worshipped and worship beside them. When they faced hardships, Democrats were right there laboring in prayer on their behalf. It didn’t used to matter that their family member, friend, acquaintance or church member was a Democrat, but something has changed. The internet is flooded with videos showing racist confrontations. In the past, a person may have been a racist, but they tried to keep it well hidden. Now, it’s been given a turbo boost and it’s proudly demonstrated and worn as a badge. Something changed. Trump defined that change in one of his interviews with Bob Woodward for his book RAGE. “I bring rage out,” he said. “I always have.” Spiritual transference. I won’t expand on that here, but ...

Here are my latest personal takeaways from RAGE. Bob Woodward offered Trump the wisdom that an apology goes a long way toward calming controversy.  He asked Trump if he’d consider apologizing for the Ukraine incident which resulted in his impeachment. Trump said when he does something wrong, he apologizes, but he’d done nothing wrong and would not apologize. The author asked Trump when was the last time he’d apologized for anything. Trump responded again that he apologizes when he’s done something wrong. The author pressed for an answer. Finally, Trump said when he’s wrong, he apologizes but he’s ALWAYS right. Reminds me of when Trump said he never asks God for forgiveness; then later said why should he ask for forgiveness when he isn’t making any mistakes. Picture this: Someone with a look of total disbelief, slowly shaking their head. That’s me. I think the book is very well-written. One of the things I really applaud is the author instantly followed Trump’s statements with facts...

 “What the heck is this?”  While listening to RAGE, I came to a complete standstill in my debris littered backyard, perspiring heavily from my pruning frenzy in Florida’s heat and humidity. What had prompted that reaction? The letters between Trump and the North Korean leader after they became…friends. As I listened, I wondered if Trump had been played. The North Korean leader’s letters were filled with effusive flattery, but they also sounded odd.  They sounded like the leader had assigned a fan of old romance novels or movies the task of writing the letters to Trump.  The phrasing is similar.  Trump’s weren’t quite as bad, but still…strange.  Now, I understand why the news media commented that the letters reminded you of a courtship.  I learned that Trump has had good men around him whose priority was America.  When they became aware of what they were dealing with, they worked hard to try to advise and steer Trump in ways that would safeguard Am...

RAGE hit my audio book library today. So far, it's very interesting and educational. Bob Woodward opens with the information already reported in the news media regarding COVID-19: What Trump knew, when he knew it and what he did...or didn't do. He moves on to Trump building his cabinet and then the conflict with North Korea. This is where I've placed my digital bookmark. I was wowed. I had absolutely no idea how close we had come to war with North Korea. Yeah, I saw the news reports about the insults Trump hurled at the North Korean leader and the threats. I didn't think it was wise, but it was "normal" behavior for our current leader. Behind the scenes, things were TENSE. The official given the responsibility of making the call to engage was a Christian and struggled with the weight of the very real possibility of being responsible for initiating the move that would result in millions of deaths. North Korea wasn't bluffing. They were rea...

  Our Heavenly Father is a God of justice and righteousness. “…outward demonstrations of faith are useless unless they are centered in justice and righteousness.” - Rev. Ed (unity.org) Amos 5:21-24 New King James Version (NKJV) 21 “I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies. 22 Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. 23 Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. 24 But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.

Has your relationship circle (marriages, friendships, acquaintances, etc.) been torn apart because of politics and you don’t understand why? Let’s talk about it. For many—hereafter just referred to as friends, politics isn’t about one or two policies a candidate may promote. It’s not about the ethnicity of the candidate. It’s not even about the political party they represent. Politics is perceived as a statement of how the candidate feels people should be treated. When you embrace a candidate, it’s seen as your personal statement of how you think people—your friends—should be treated. Your statement of the value you have placed on them as a human being. It’s heavy. It’s serious. It’s personal. It far exceeds the November election. Think about everything that has been attached to the political candidate you have embraced: reports, reveals, raw video, recordings, speeches, etc. Think about everything they represent: the good, the bad and the ugly. Now, think about your friend...