So Russ, why all of a sudden the political posts?

And don't you know they're detrimental to your business?

In fact I have no platform to try to teach any person or creature how to sing. But this has been my attitude about most intellectual chasms I have encountered in life. It’s pessimistic I admit. I have learned a basic truth, first explained to me by my big brother: People believe what they want to believe.

If they want to believe in UFO’s, or Humanity, or the Republican or Democratic platforms, or God or atheism, they will find the rationale and choose to believe what they want. Most people pretty much get out of life what they want. So why argue?

Well, I had another stent installed (that makes eight!) in my heart a week ago, thankfully before I had another heart attack, (that would have made four!) and as usual, a hospital stay always makes me take stock of myself. I usually make resolutions. Write another manuscript. Or two. I recommit to using the time I have left wisely. To do that which serves God and His Kingdom.

Unable to do much, and reduced to a few hours of painting a day, I find myself scrolling excessively through Facebook, and taking stock of my country and the mess it is in. And that’s good for a heart attack every day. So, yeah, I’ve been posting more. Risking more. Charlie Kirk (I know) and his ministry really inspires me to speak up more, love more, reason more, and maybe, just maybe someday I will be able to teach that pig to sing.

And if not, there’s more nobility in trying and failing than looking down on others and figuring they are not even worth arguing with. And I’ve been doing a lot of that.

Back in Navasota, Texas, where I lived for 27 years, I was known in my circle as the guy always looking for- and finding controversy. It was my Art background I guess. My motto used to be, “I loved to argue, so I chose Art.” But now I’m old and sick and tired of arguing. So, I make Facebook posts and pray they might break through.

Don’t read them if they offend you. Don’t call me a fool. I’m just trying to approach today’s issues with the last trick in my bag. Trying to find common ground, instead of a battleground. Trying. With love, not contempt.

And I can do that and paint what I can until the Lord relieves me of my post. This country would be fixed overnight if all Americans would do the same. But that will be when pigs fly…