How To Test Negative

 

How To Test Negative;
and Why Washington Never Will!
A Book Written by Senator John Kennedy
A book review By Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown, October 28, 2025

The following paragraph is the last paragraph of the Forward; it is everything you need to know as to WHY you should read this book!  I am from Louisiana and Senator Kennedy has become my hero for his humor and how candidly he speaks on all topics, nothing is off-limits!  He reminds me of the old cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn who also used quips to get a point across.  You can read the last paragraph as it was written or you can read it below as none other than Foghorn Leghorn would have said it according to ChatGPT.  Either way, I hope it tweaks your interest enough to read the book.  

I say, I say now boy, listen up! This here book, son, this book is for folks who might, I say might get a chuckle—or maybe shed a tear—learnin’ about a few of the misadventures, I say experiences, that ol’ rooster here has had struttin’ ‘round that fancy coop they call the United States Senate. Some of ‘em are funny, some of ‘em ain’t so much—like a fox in a henhouse, ya never know what’s comin’ next!

Now don’t go thinkin’ senators are a bunch o’ young chicks—they’re all over forty, son, and some of ‘em been sittin’ on that roost so long their feathers done turned gray! Keep readin’, boy, you’ll see what I mean soon enough. (That means keep readin’, ya hear?)

This here book’s also for them curious folks—probably not too many of ya—who want to know just how this ol’ senator rooster came to be the way he is, why he crows when he crows, and why he scratches where he scratches. It’s about sayin’ what others just think but don’t have the gumption to say out loud.

It’s about the mighty weapon called candor, son—that’s honesty with spurs on it—and that’s somethin’ most folks up in Washington, D.C. only flirt with at cocktail parties. And I’ll tell ya one more thing—this book’s hopin’ to light a fire under ya, to make you bold enough to speak your mind and ruffle a few feathers doin’ it. Sometimes makin’ the right folks mad is the only way to know you’re tellin’ the truth.

Hopefully Foghorn has lit a fire beneath you to read Senator Kennedy’s book.  You will discover as I did, the book is written very much like how we have become accustomed to hearing him when he speaks.  Every page contains one-liners worth remembering and worthy of quoting. 

Whether you like Attorneys or more specifically Senator Kennedy who happens to be an attorney or if you like neither, you will probably like him by the time you finish reading Chapter 4.  

The first part of the book describes Kennedy’s history, his education, how he developed his beliefs and character and how he became involved in politics.  It is an interesting story and it may come as a complete surprise to you.  At times, he comes across as a Foghorn Leghorn type character but there is a wealth of information enhanced through education hidden beneath his oftentimes humorous responses.  Senator Kennedy holds back no punches! 

The book provides an insight as to how the U. S. Senate works or doesn’t work and why.  I found the book to be a page turner, very had to put down and well worth the read! 

Who should read this book?  Anyone interested in politics or how the U. S. Senate works or doesn’t work.

Would I read it again?  Probably not but will use it as a reference book.

Would I give the book as a gift?  Most definitely, regardless of a person’s political affiliation because it is an eye-opener as to how the U. S. Senate and politics in general work.

 

Mooring Lines Oct 2025

 

MOORING LINES

By Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown,  originally written on January 21, 2013; updated October 26, 2025

Visualize if you will, a sleek, brilliant white U. S. Coast Guard Cutter sitting at the pier.  Running at a diagonal on the bow are two stripes, one red, one blue commonly referred to as racing stripes.  With only one look you can immediately tell this vessel was made to run.  Yet it sits tied up to the pier and held in place by mooring lines. 

Take a look at the following diagram.  You can see that there could be as many as six such mooring lines keeping the cutter from drifting away from the pier.  Mooring lines have been used for hundreds of years to keep ships in place.  It is not until the Skipper orders that all mooring lines be “taken in” that the Cutter can engage in its intended purpose – saving life.

The Skipper knows what must be done; it is the BIG WHY for his existence.  People are in trouble and the Skipper knows approximately where they are.  As the Skipper carefully maneuvers the Cutter away from the pier and out beyond the break walls, he orders the massive well tuned engines to come up to full speed.  As the controllers are pushed forward the stern sinks a bit into the water and the bow comes out of the water as the Cutter begins to cut through the waves on a heading that will take the Cutter on the most direct course to the vessel and sailors that are in distress.  The Skipper also knows that waves, tides and wind will do everything within their power to cause the Cutter to veer off course and constant course corrections are given until the Cutter arrives on scene.  That is when the crew goes into action to secure the stricken vessel and retrieves the distressed sailors and returns safely to port with vessel and crew. 

We individuals are very much like the Coast Guard Cutter are we not?  We are made to run!  We are however, moored to our piers by the strongest of mooring lines; they have different names but serve the same restrictive purpose. Unlike the mooring lines of a ship, our mooring lines are invisible to the naked eye.  They are: 

1.      Doubt

2.      Ego

3.      Failure

4.      The Unknown

5.      The What If’s

6.      Fear 

We all know, or should know, where we want to go.  If you have no idea what your desired outcome is to be, then there is no reason to remove the mooring lines that are keeping you from arriving at an undetermined destination.  If you know what the BIG WHY in your life is, you know what you must do – remove the mooring lines keeping you from getting there!  The “Big Why” is what you should be doing to get to where you want your life to take you.  What is YOUR Big Why?  

It starts with removing the mooring lines of doubt, ego, failure, the unknown, the what if’s and fear from your life.  Failure to remove these will prevent you from even leaving the pier let alone getting to where you want to go. 

Doubt:   We all have doubts of some kind.  We doubt we can safely make the trip.  We doubt that our efforts will be appreciated.  We doubt that we can do the job.  We doubt that our mission is realistic.  You can add your own doubts as you perceive them to be.  But are they real? 

Ego; a huge mooring line:  We become afraid of what others may think of us.  As Ethel Barrett suggests, “we would worry less about what others think of us if realized how seldom they do (think of us).”  Ego can drive some people forward and hold back others.  Know your ego and its effect on your life.  Is what you believe real? 

Failure:  If we never failed at anything, we never really tried at anything.  Failure is a fact of life; we will fail from time to time.  Dr. John Maxwell wrote in “Failing Forward” that it is all about the process of failing and then learning from the failure and moving on to greater achievements because of experiencing the failures (plural) in our lives. Are you your fears actually real? 

The unknown:  Who knows anything for certain?  When the Cutter set sail, there were unknowns that could crop up at any time during the mission.  When you have a plan; when you work the plan; when you prepare for obstacles and create a Plan B and even a Plan C; when you train and practice; when you constantly move forward; you tend to get to where you want to go in spite of any unknowns that may appear in your path.  Are your unknowns real?  Are they possible? 

The “what if’s”:  How many times have you asked yourself and others, what if this happens?  What if that happens?  What if’s will cause you to never take in your mooring lines.  There will always be what if’s that will hold you back as long as you permit them to fester in your mind.  There are what if’s that are far healthier like what if I succeed?  What if I exceed my goals?  What if I find even better choices that I can take?  It’s a mindset of success; not failure.  Are your what if’s real? 

Fear:  The largest mooring line of all.  Fear will cause us to never leave the pier.  It will also cause us never to reach our potential.  F.E.A.R; False Expectations Appearing Real.  There is a wonderful book written by Susan Jeffers, Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway!  That pretty much sums up fear; just do it.  Most of our fears never materialize yet they tend to cause us to freeze in our tracks.  Are your fears real?  Are your fears holding you back? 

Hopefully the image of massive mooring lines keeping the Cutter from sailing will enable you to visualize the various types of self-imposed mooring lines that are keeping you tied safely to the pier.  As a ship was not built to be tied to a pier, you were not created to be tied to whatever it is that is holding you back most of which as stated, are self-imposed.  Why would anyone do that to themselves? 

I believe we do it to ourselves because we are simply unaware.  Being aware is to a person as having fuel in the tank is to a Cutter; it makes both go!  Being unaware will cause you to sit and wonder why everyone else is experiencing such success and you are not.  If you are unaware of what is holding you back, you have no idea of what it will take to move your forward and therefore take no action to change. 

The first order of business should be self-analysis.  Set time aside to sit and think; something so few of us ever do.  Make a list of what IS holding you back from the success you desire.  Are any items on the list actually real?  Then, as Byron Katie asks these vitally important questions. 

IS IT TRUE? 

IS IT REALLY TRUE? 

HOW DO YOU ACT/REACT IF WERE TRUE? 

WHO WOULD YOU BE OR WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF IT WERE NOT TRUE? 

DRAW A MENTAL PICTURE OF WHO YOU WOULD BE IF YOU DID NOT BELIEVE IN THE MOORING LINES HOLD YOU BACK? 

“There are no new stressful thoughts; they are all recycled.” 

Byron Katie 

Remember,

“If you is agoin anywhere in particular

Up hear, ya  better figgr fust how to get thar

Cuz, just goin afor ya know where yere are agoin

Ya can get to a powerful lot of places, ya might not wanta be!”

 

Ya might also be atied up by invisible mooring lines,

Either way, ya ain’t agoin ta get where you really want to be agoin!

Useless Eaters

 

USELESS EATERS
By Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown, 22 October 2025

It was not that many years ago when I had never heard of the phrase “useless eaters.”  When I read about it, I could easily see how people might have developed it and then regrettably used it to justify their goals regardless of how nefarious those goals might have been.  If you look the term up, you will discover the following:

The term “useless eaters” (German: “unnütze Esser”) originates from Nazi Germany during the 1930s and 1940s.

Historical Origin

The phrase was used by the Nazi regime to describe people whom THEY (the regime) considered unproductive or burdensome to society, particularly those who could not contribute to the war effort or economy. This included:

• People with physical or mental disabilities
• The elderly
• The chronically ill
• Others deemed “unfit” by the state

Connection to Nazi Policy

The term became especially notorious in connection with the T4 Euthanasia Program (1939–1941), in which the Nazis systematically murdered more than 200,000 disabled and institutionalized people. Nazi propaganda portrayed these victims as “useless eaters” draining resources that could otherwise support the German military or “healthy” population.

Broader Meaning

Since World War II, “useless eaters” has been used critically or metaphorically to describe any ideology or system that devalues human life based on productivity or perceived worth. It’s often invoked in discussions about:

• Eugenics (look up Margaret Sanger (with her sister Ethel Byrne and activist Fania Mindell
• Totalitarian control
• Dehumanization in political rhetoric (in 2025, a great many Americans have stated through polling that it is acceptable to murder politicians who represent policies contrary to the person being polled.  How is that even a possibility of being acceptable?)

Why have I thought about the term of late?  So glad you asked.  I turned 81 this year.  R The elderly.  I have several underlying medical/health conditions R Physical and Mental Conditions.  My health issues will not get any better, only worse; equals being  R Chronically Ill.  Prior to turning 81, I had a very successful 20-year Coast Guard career.  I followed that with a successful 33-year career in real estate sales, brokerage and training.  For well over 50 years, I was a producer within the American society.  Now? Not so much!

What all that means is that I am physically unable to work and have only my military retirement, Social Security Pension and one small stable income from my real estate career.  Whereas before I didn’t know what “useless eaters” meant, now I R one, as the old joke states.

Why is this important, after all, we are not 1930s Germany, we are the United States of America and we are part of the team that defeated Nazi Germany.  Could this happen in America?

You MUST consider several aspects to this subject.  First, how many children on average must a family have to maintain (neither grow or decline) its civilization?  According to ChatGPT, when asked, said the following: 

To maintain a civilization without immigration, a family (on average) must have just over two children per woman—2.1 is the magic number. Fewer than that for long periods, and the civilization will eventually fade demographically.  As a side note, you might want to pay particular attention to the word “woman” in this answer which disputes many who now believe that men can become pregnant.  ChatGPT further states that:  In the United States, the average number of children born per woman (the total fertility rate, or TFR) has fallen to about 1.6 children in recent years.

Therefore, by definition, the American population is declining at an alarming rate.  Part of this decline is the result of abortions conducted in America.  How many you might ask?  According to the Guttmacher Institute, there were about 1,038,000 clinician-provided abortions in U.S. states without total bans in 2024.  For 2023, Guttmacher estimates 1,037,000 abortions in the formal healthcare system.

The Social Security System was never designed to provide a full retirement system for retirees yet that is exactly how many Americans have perceived it to be.  For decades, workers have contributed to the Security System believing that it will always be available to them during their retirement years.  If you fully understand why I included the paragraphs about the decline in birth rates coupled with abortions, you begin to understand that fewer and fewer people are contributing to the Social Security Fund while at the same time more and more people are reaching the age where they begin to withdraw from the government controlled Social Security Account.  While more people are withdrawing from their entitled benefit, the U. S. Government is using money from the Social Security Account for its own purposes to fill in shortages of income from taxes and fees.  This makes the Social Security System unsustainable if nothing changes.

This is where the term “useless eaters” enters the equation.  There are only two ways to salvage the Social Security System.  Find an influx of money into the account and/or reduce the number of ELIGIBLE people that draw from the account.  I emboldened the word ELIGIBLE because it is a very important concept.  People who did not contribute to the account either because they did not work or they are illegal immigrants, should not be eligible to withdraw from the account.  Yet we know that illegals have come to America with the understanding that they will be provided funds from the Social Security System and they have, contrary to what a great many in the media and politics will admit to.

I have heard no one make the connection between what happened in 2020 with the introduction of COVID to our population yet it is impossible not to at least consider that the COVID disease may have in part been created to reduce the population of seniors. What does ChatGPT have to say about the average age of the deaths from COVID?  Again, so glad you asked:

The CDC’s “Provisional COVID-19 Death Counts by Sex and Age” publishes deaths involving COVID-19 by age group. Data.CDC.gov+2CDC+2

For older adults (65 years and over): in 2020 the death rate per 100,000 was roughly:

·         Ages 65-74: 234.3 per 100,000 CDC

·         Ages 75-84: 589.8 per 100,000 CDC

·         Ages 85+: 1,645.0 per 100,000 CDC

The vast majority of deaths have been among older age groups; younger age groups have far lower death rates.  If COVID didn’t adversely affect you, the vaccine and its lingering effects may have.  Either way, your health was at serious risk the older you were when you were exposed to either the disease or the vaccine.

Is it just a coincidence that the death rates dramatically increased the older a person was who contracted the disease?  Maybe so, maybe not!  It was LeRoy Jethro Gibbs of NCIS fame who coined Rule #39:  There is no such thing as a coincidence!  A lot of people over the age of 65 might be considered in the “useless eater” category and applied it exactly as World War Germany did.  Reduce the number of people who take from the government and reduce the cost of government!  What that just a coincidence?

If you have ever read Agenda 21 and Agenda 30 (the only difference is that Agenda 30 updated the contents of Agenda 21) you will understand that the United Nations, the originator of both Agendas, put it in writing that the world population needed to be reduced by BILLIONS of people (the useless eaters of the world).  They put it in writing.  They also engraved it on the head stone of the Georgia Guide Stones which has since been destroyed; I wonder why?

If you take the time to connect all of the dots, it is almost impossible not to come to the conclusion that the powers that be, covertly attempted to reduce the world’s population through COVID.  Engaging the world in World War Three failed to materialize which is another way of reducing the world’s population but that usually results in much younger people dying whereas COVID attacked the weakened immune systems of more senior adults.

If it walks AND quacks like a Duck;

 IT MUST BE A DUCK!

The Columbo Close

 

The Columbo Close

Written by Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown, October 18, 2025

If you are not old enough to have watched the mystery series Columbo, you missed out on one of the best “closes” of contract negotiations available to everyone free of charge.

Detective Columbo, in almost every episode of the program, would at one or more points, appear to be leaving a suspect when he would turn and say, “one more thing!”  That phrase became synonymous with the Columbo character.

Believe it or not, I used this procedure on a home seller where we apparently hit a snag with the Owners hiring me to put their home on the market.  The presentation went well, at least I thought it did.  It became evident that the owners were gradually changing their minds about hiring me as their REALTOR®.  It was at that point I made the decision that I had nothing to lose since they seemed to have already made up their mind not to hire me. 

To fully understand this situation, let me paint you a picture.  I had the materials I would use to help the sellers understand why hiring me to represent them in the sale of their home would have made perfect sense.  Therefore, when it became obvious that I was not going to get the listing on the home during this visit/presentation, I had to put my tail between my legs and gather up all of my presentation materials, put it all into my brief case and bid them good night.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.  I was not in the habit of losing a listing where I believed the sellers were motivated to properly price the property to sell and prepare the property for the first potential buyer to see it at its best.  You can never guarantee a seller that you will sell the property unless you are prepared to buy it yourself.  Some real estate agents make that promise to sellers.  What most people fail to realize is that buying a home if it does not sell, requires the seller to make serious concessions to their REALTOR® because the agent that buys the home will immediately put the home back on the market to sell.  The listing price is usually lower than the price the sellers had set and the price the agent paid for the property is considerably lower than what the sellers had wanted.  This program works where the sellers have a timing issue and need to sell quickly and move on with their lives.  They are prepared to sell to the agent at a price below market value enabling the agent to then sell the property and be able to make a profit on the sale.  Sounds confusing and it usually is.

On this night, I was completely baffled as to why the sellers did not want to list their property with me.  Oftentimes it involves a previously conducted interview with a different REALTOR® that the listing agent, me, typically would be unaware of.  On this night I recalled what Columbo would have done had he been the real estate agent.

By packing up all of my gear and giving the sellers the impression I was only moments away from walking out the front door, I had subconsciously put the sellers at ease because I was leaving without the listing and they felt comfortable in their decision.  This time was different.  As I reached for the front door handle, I paused, looked back at Mr. & Mrs. Seller and hit them with the Columbo close (remember, I had nothing to lose at this point and neither do you whether you are listing a home or selling a product or service to a potential buyer). 

As I turned, I said something to the effect, “I hope you don’t mind but what is the real reason you elected not to place your home on the market with my company and/or me?”  I could have used Columbo’s actual words, “One more thing…”  The trick is DO NOT SAY ANTOHER WORD, let the customer make the next comment once you ask the question.

As it turned out, the real reason they were reluctant to list with me had nothing to do with me or my company and had everything to do with a date on the listing agreement – THE EXPIRATION DATE!    They explained that they felt an expiration date of SIX MONTHS OUT, seemed excessive and to them that meant I did not think the home would quickly sell. 

I then said something to the effect, “Oh my goodness, I realize I did not explain that very well for you, if you don’t mind, let me cover why the date is important and the steps that you and I can take to minimize the “sticker stock” of a six-month expiration date.” 

It only took about 10 minutes of discussion and they did list their home with me.  Here is a brief explanation of what I gave as a more detailed explanation.

“If you list your home with an agent who willingly gives them a very short expiration date, it is doubtful that the agent will do much marketing because they may not be around when the home sells.  A good agent realizes that marketing and advertising is not something that happens instantly with results pouring in immediately, it typically takes time unless of course the seller sets a price on the property so low that it would sell very quickly.  The six-month expiration date gives the agent some assurance that the process of marketing property will begin immediately and even with a quick beginning, it may take weeks or months of showing the property and negotiating the contracts with the buyers and sellers for it to sell and properly close.”

It is what I said next that sealed the deal.  “My broker has confidence in my ability to list and sell properties.  The broker had very little financial responsibility to market the property; that responsibility was all mine to absorb.”  I explained that to the sellers and then told them: “I feel so good about the salability of your home and how our relationship could only get better over time because I trusted you and hopefully you trust me.”  I also explained that my Broker gave me the authority to enter all information onto the Listing Agreement that I felt comfortable agreeing to.  “In this regard, if you (the sellers) ever felt that I was not performing up to your expectations, I had the authority to cancel the listing agreement.  I am willing to put this guarantee in writing and all that I ask in return is that you give me a heads-up when you feel I am not doing my best to market your beautiful home.  To accomplish this, I would ask that you give me your request to cancel the listing in writing and you give me two weeks advance notice of the effective date.  The agreement to cancel is also a guarantee by you to me that you have not agreed to sell your home to someone who approaches you and asks that you go around the listing agreement as this HAS happened before throughout the industry.  It is pretty straight forward with no ifs ands or buts.  When you list your home with a REALTOR® like me, you are hiring me as your employee.  I want you to love your decision to hire me and hold me accountable to perform the tasks that I have described to you.  Will that be okay with both of you?  If so, and if you agree to the Listing Agreement, I can get started as soon as I get back to my desk to get your home as much exposure that I can possibly give it in the first 48 hours.  What do you think?  Can we start the process this evening?”

“One more thing” reopened the negotiation and the sellers agreed to hire me on the spot.  The home eventually sold and everyone was happy with the transaction.

My advice to homeowners is that Listing Agreements are usually all the same within a specific real estate company and may be the same if the State requires the use of a specific form/format.  Even then, provided it is NOT against the law, you can amend the contents of an agreement whether it is a listing agreement or a purchase agreement as long as you do it in writing and sign the amendment accordingly.  This is precisely what I did in this situation.

Another very strong piece of advice I offer to anyone who makes a living using contracts that require everyone to agree to and sign – NEVER BE THE ONE TO GIVE THE FINAL REJECTION OF A CONTRACT.  ALWAYS MAKE THE OTHER PARTY REJECT THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT.  This may mean that you simply go back to the other party with the exact same contract that they tried to amend signaling that you have reached your red line that you will not cross.  Let the other party actually reject the contract; not you.

You will experience far more success if you are willing to think and act “outside of the box.”  There is usually more than just one way to complete a task.  Find what works for you and your customers and then practice, practice, practice!

Broken Arrow

 

Who’s Going To Bring You
A Broken Arrow?
By Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown, October 8, 2025

If you have never heard the song “Broken Arrow” by Rod Steward, the term “broken arrow” may not mean much to you, especially when watching old time Western Movies which are no longer routinely aired on television.  You can watch/listen to Rod Stewart by going to:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d-BGmHVFa0&list=RD9d-BGmHVFa0&start_radio=1

We can learn a great deal from the American Indians’ way of life and their belief system.  If you look up the meaning behind a “broken arrow” being delivered to  you on ChatGPT, this is how it describes its meaning:

In the context of the song “Broken Arrow”, the line is poetic and symbolic. Here’s what it generally means:

·         “Broken arrow” is a Native American symbol meaning peace — breaking an arrow meant the end of fighting.

·         In the song, it’s used romantically to mean a gesture of love, surrender, and devotion.

·         So, when someone asks, “Who’s gonna bring you his broken arrow?”, they’re really asking:

Who’s going to bring you peace, love, and devotion?

Who’s going to care for you and give you, their heart?

 

In 2025, it is so very obvious that we all need more and more people willing to bring to others, a broken arrow thus ending the vile discord we are witnessing in politics, on the streets, in our schools and the endless shooting and violence being committed. 

 

Another phrase attributed to Indians is:

 

There are too many Chiefs and not enough Indians!

 

As of October 8, 2025 this is exactly what is happening in the U. S. Congress when it shut down the government in what is nothing more than a political attack on a sitting U. S. President, nothing else!  They all want to be the Chief, no one wants to be the Indian.  Everyone thinks they and only they know what is best for everyone else including you and me!  They are wrong!  They are ALL wrong!  They have forgotten who works for whom?  They all work for We The People!  They have forgotten that!  At present, they all are working for their own positions, their own power and their own wealth and their 2 minutes of fame before the TV Cameras whenever they can get it!  That was NEVER the intent of the Founding Fathers!

 

It goes way beyond politics.  Who is going to bring YOU, THEIR broken arrow?  Every one of us needs more peace in their lives, less hassle, zero arguments, less violence and better health.  Everyone is fighting their own battles whether that be financial, relationships, spiritual, or health.  I can vouch for the last one – health!  Without your health, you have very little to fall back on.  I’ll ask you again, who is going to bring you their broken arrow?

 

Here's an even better question, I hope you are sitting down!  To whom have you given YOUR broken arrow(s) to?  How many have you freely given to others?  Do you know of anyone who could use the message of receiving YOUR “broken arrow?”

 

At the time I created my own “personal mission statement,” I never considered the “broken arrow” meaning.  I worked for days creating my statement which is:

 

To help other people to do what they do to do it better!

 

In my own way, I was giving to others, a broken arrow of sorts.  I wanted them to become the best they could be and if I could help; all the better!  That is how I look upon the many Nuggets for the Noggin I have written over the years (easily over 800 of them).  If no one reads them or if some read them and get nothing from them, no harm, no foul.  But if just one person takes the message intended and runs with it, I will have accomplished a small goal of my own personal mission statement. 

 

Why should everyone have such a statement?  I am so glad you asked.  I have a friend and mentor who is also a speaker and author, Joe Tye.  He created what he calls a Direction-Deflection-Question (DDQ).  Using my own personal mission statement as the example, here is how it works. 

 

I was listening to a boat load of music from my past while relaxing on the patio.  I heard Rod Stewart sing Broken Arrow and I immediately went to my Desktop and began writing.  I asked myself the DDQ Question.  Is what I am about to write taking me toward or taking me away from my stated Personal Mission Statement.  If I believed, and I do, that someone might read what I am writing at this very moment and use what I have written to share THEIR Broken Arrow with someone who in need of receiving it, I will have accomplished a small part of my goal would you not agree?  Are you the one reader who will share their broken arrow with someone in need?  I certainly hope so.  If not, try sharing this Nugget with others and just maybe they will share their broken arrow with someone in need.

 

And for God’s sake, “Don’t (ever) stop thinking about tomorrow!”  That’s an order!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hGhl7ki3HM&list=RD0hGhl7ki3HM&start_radio=1

 

Here’s my “virtual broken arrow”, just for you!

Joshua Chamberlain

 

JOSHUA CHAMBERLAIN
AND
CHARLIE KIRK
VERY SIMILAR RESULTS!

By Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown, September 24, 2025

WHO IS JOSHUA CHAMBERLAIN?  This is how ChatGPT defines Chamberlain and the part he played during the American Civil War:

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is often credited with playing a critical role in the Union’s survival at the Battle of Gettysburg—and by extension, possibly saving the North during the American Civil War. Here’s a summary of why historians see him as so pivotal:

The Context: Gettysburg, July 2, 1863

• Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War.
• On July 2, the second day of battle, Union forces occupied high ground south of town, including Little Round Top, a rocky hill at the extreme left of the Union line.
• If the Confederates captured this hill, they could have flanked the Union army, potentially winning the battle and opening the road to Washington, D.C.  Gymbeaux Note:  It is my understanding that Chamberlain was given the order to defend the end of the line at all costs!

Chamberlain’s 20th Maine Regiment

• Chamberlain, a former college professor with no formal military training before the war, commanded the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
• His unit was ordered to hold Little Round Top, at all costs—essentially, “you are the flank; if you fall, the army falls.”

The Confederate Assault

• Confederate forces under John B. Hood attacked repeatedly.
• Chamberlain’s men fought off multiple charges but eventually ran low on ammunition.
• Instead of retreating, Chamberlain ordered a bayonet charge—a desperate move, but one that surprised the exhausted Confederate attackers.

Gymbeaux Note:  This storyline was repeated in Vietnam and they made a movie of it; We Were Soldiers!

The Impact

• The charge worked. The Confederates were pushed back, and Little Round Top remained in Union hands.
• This prevented a Confederate breakthrough on the Union left flank, preserving the Union army’s position at Gettysburg.

Why This Mattered for the North

• Gettysburg ended as a major Union victory, often considered the “high-water mark” of the Confederacy.
• Had the Confederates won, they might have marched on Washington or secured foreign recognition, potentially forcing the Union into a negotiated peace.
• Chamberlain’s actions helped ensure Gettysburg—and perhaps the Union itself—did not fall.

Gymbeaux Note:  Noted speaker and author Andy Andrews has taken the actions of Chamberlain a bit further.  He noted that had the Union Army been defeated, America probably would have been divided into three sections, the North, the South and the West!  It would therefore be doubtful that America would have become the world power that it became and America would NOT have been powerful enough to make a difference during WWI and WWII and the outcome of those wars might have been entirely different for the entire planet.  It all started with the actions of just ONE MAN – Joshua Chamberlain who instead of surrendering, he took what was left of his troops and attacked without ammunition and only their bayonets and voices.  Watch Andy Andrews tell the story in his own words; everything you do matters – The Butterfly Effect: 

SPECIAL NOTE;  If the links do not automatically work which is not unusual, copy and paste to your browser.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57I2EECFzTA

Even more important is Andy Andrews speaking to a group telling them that every move they make affects everyone forever!  Listen carefully and he could easily have said the same thing about Joshua Chamberlain and Charlie Kirk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo6fBAT8f-s

America was under attack and the Civil War between the States erupted.  That was in the 1860s!  America is still under attack in 2025 by people who prefer that America adopt the Socialist or Marxist form of government where the government is all powerful and the people are totally dependent upon the government to simply exist.  I suggest you all look at The Communist Party USA, yes, they are still alive and active, who established 45 goals to accomplish exactly what I described.  The following two links provide a document that lists the goals and the second link is a video that also describes each of the 45 goals. I strongly encourage you to take the time to either read them or watch them or BOTH! 

COMMUNIST OBJECTIVES:  http://www.rense.com/general32/americ.htm

COMMUNIST OBJECTIVES VIDEO:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fQ4J9tcQ2I

What does the remarkable story about Chamberlain have to do with Charlie Kirk?  I am so glad you asked.  I did not make the comparison at first; it suddenly came to me during the massive tribute given Charlie Kirk in the Arizona Football Stadium. 

Charlie Kirk had several missions that he worked on at the same time.  He also fully understood that the American Dream was under attack in the 2000 until today by forces that wanted to create a one-world-government.  That is another way of saying a Socialist/Marxist/Communist GODLESS style government.  At age 18 with a drive and determination well beyond what you might expect of an 18 year old man/boy, Charlie Kirk envisioned a country where people were spiritual (as compared to religious) and put God first, then family, then country, in that order!  I cannot speak for Charlie Kirk; I truly believe that he was well aware of The Communist Party USA’s desire to take over America without firing a shot.  He believed as I believe that the takeover would begin by taking over the country’s educational system.  He knew and understood what Vladimir Lenin, yes, that Lenin, said when he said:

“Give me four years to teach the children

and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.”

 

In this regard, I present to you Objective #17 of The Communist Party USA list of objectives.  Read it for yourself and then ask yourself the question, have they already succeeded in achieving this key objective?  If this one objective is met, the other 44 will simply fall into place! 

Get control of the schools.

Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda.

Soften the curriculum.

Get control of teachers' associations.

Put the party line in textbooks. 

Charlie set out to change that!  He knew that to make a positive change, he had to confront the evil that has been planted (seeds being sown) in the minds of the young people of America.  Charlie began debating before live audiences at churches, schools and universities.  He would sit facing the crowds with a microphone.  He would invite anyone who thought they disagreed with him to come to the head of the line and challenge them to “change my mind!”  Instead of arguing with each other and instead of calling each other names, they had an open debate.  The technique that Charlie used was both admirable and very effective.  When he finished the last word he had to say, he would lay down his microphone signaling to the youthful participant that he would NOT interrupt them; they had the mike!  Charlie would let them put forth their side of the discussion.  Charlie changed years of Marxist indoctrination implanted in the minds of the youth by the current educational system.  The effectiveness of his Turning Point movement was never more evident than in the election results of 2024. 

This is how the indoctrination works.  At first, teachers make very subtle suggestions in the early years of education.  As a student progresses through elementary school, then middle or junior high school and then high school, the subtle suggestions become outright indoctrination in the way of Marxism.  The teachers are smart enough to know NOT to call it Marxism, no, they prefer to use terms like the Political Left, Liberalism or Progressive.  They knew that talking about Marxism was a deal breaker for them so they used every term but Marxism or Socialism.  Marxism is what they were teaching.  This may not be true in EVERY school but it was definitely true in most schools.  There was the ONE POSITIVE THING about COVID. Because of “remote learning”, parents cold see on their computer monitors what was being taught and they were shocked. 

Follow the path of just one such student.  They begin to doubt all that their parents have taught them to believe. They doubt what is being taught in any church they have ever attended.  They slowly began to believe what was being taught in the schools and most parents had no clue what WAS being taught to their children.  That student goes on to high school and then college.  The indoctrination gets much worse in college.  Making it even more critical is that the fact that any student who disagreed with the teachings within the classroom, became ostracized among their peers and all but shunned from engaging in any meaningful dialogue.  

Charlie Kirk knew this and much like Joshua Chamberlain he mentally fixed his bayonet and began to charge forward by meeting the evil thoughts in their own back yards.  In their churches, schools, and especially on college campuses.  He met his foe head on and he changed minds to where the young men and women began to want similar things out of life, freedom, free speech, to get married and have children and to openly praise God.  How dare he say such things.  At first the growth of his movement, Turning Point, was slow and then it grew very suddenly.  If the murderer of Charlie Kirk thought that by killing Charlie, the movement would end, just the opposite happened.  To properly describe the growth of Turning Point as of September 2025 would be like describing the results of pouring gasoline onto an already lit fire.  An explosion of interest has developed within days of his death. 

Joshua Chamberlain attacked his enemy with no ammunition and only the fix bayonets and the loud piercing word CHARGE!  CHARGE!  CHARGE!  Down the hill his remaining band of soliders went and the enemy all but disbursed and the battle was won.  Charlie Kirk’s battle still rages on and the number of members of his team have grown and become more public in their pronouncements to where those that stood in the way of a free and prosperous America where everyone can pursue the American Dream and to where the victory of Kirk’s battle, is now within sight! 

Chamberlain was out manned and out gunned; Charlie Kirk was out manned and definitely out gunned.  Chamberlain’s enemy had military weapons, Chamberlain had the outward appearance of superiority and only his words, CHARGE, CHARGE, CHARGE!  Charlie used his words to defeat the enemy of unrestricted compliance.  Charlie showed people the way to freedom, free speech, a happy family and a happy life without the fear of an attack by the academics of the world! 

Two very different times.  Two very different men!  To very similar situations!  To similar outcomes!  As a retired military officer, I personally salute both of them and consider myself very fortunate to be one of the millions in Charlie’s army of free-thinking Americans!  Better yet, millions upon millions of people around the world!  Just look at what has been happening.  Listen to the cries of those who still believe that Marxism is the only way.  Marxism has NEVER been successful but as they all seem to believe, this time will be different.  NO IT WON’T!  People vote their way into a Marxism but to get out of it, will require the use of violent force as we have seen happen all over the world.  Is that the kind of world YOU want to LEAVE to your next of kin; your children?  Or do you want to leave your next of kind the kind of world that Charlie Kirk spoke of and worked towards achieving.  I have chosen sides, 

I AM CHARLIE KIRK!