Can Someone like JA Gardner Be Rehabilitated?

Can someone like John Albert Gardner III be rehabilitated? He admitted that he could not control himself. Some child molesters and rapists have committed their repeat crimes HOURS after being released from prison. Yes, the drive, fixation, fantasy, lust, pursuasion of ownership, opportunism and a sexual arousal akin to that of an amoral animal will not allow a man like Gardner to prevent himself from doing what he did. A man with Gardner's problem cannot be rehabilitated. At least not in a conventional sense. Nevertheless, I believe in miracles. But I am positive that miracles will not be accomplished through secular means; secular therapists using secular treatments. Counselors and assorted behavioral diagnosticians who depend solely on pschological treatments and procedures will not succeed with what is necessary to keep a person like Gardner from doing what he did. The counselors, psychologists and therapists have their functions, but miracles are not something that they perform. Gardner served five years in prison for molesting a 13 year old girl. He attempted to attack a woman. She fought him off. He stalked a girl. He was stopped by the Police and released. He raped and murdered two girls; ages 14 and 17. It is thought, although not proven, that he was involved in other crimes of a similar nature, in San Diego County and at least one other county. Yes, Mr. Gardner needs a miracle. Miracles are performed by God. Only by God. Only a miracle can change Gardner.

Would You Stop For That Pedestrian?

I hope none of us ever find ourselves in this situation. Apparently there are some people who think they can cross the street anywhere they want to. Apparently there are some people who think crossing the street at an intersection where they are supposed to cross the street is too inconvenient for them. I might remind them that there are motorists who will not stop for them. What if you are driving on a highway or a busy street, and the flow of traffic is rapid? What if the car behind you is speeding at about 60 miles per hour and several pedestrians decide they want to cross the street in front of you? You can't stop or slow down because you will be rear-ended. You can't change lanes because there is too much traffic. Would you risk your safety and possibly your life to avoid injuring or possibly killing persons who are breaking the law? Would you stop for that pedestrian?

No Pain, No Gain

I know it is a well worn slogan. Nevertheless there is more truth than fiction in the saying: "No pain, no gain." If goals came easy they would not be considered goals. They would just be considered activities easily accomplished. Ask any athlete who wants to "take it to the highest level of performance." Ask him/her if it will require work, self-denial and sacrifice to achieve the desired levels of accomplishment. Pay the price. Be willing to pay the price. Let it cost blood, sweat and tears. It will only hurt for a little while. Go ahead and deny yourself. Work hard. Work harder. Postpone that pleasure to acquire the greater accomplishment of a job well done, a degree earned, a promotion received, a raise attained, a relationship realized, an employment dream fulfilled. Sometimes the only thing stopping a person from realizing his/her dreams is laziness. Laziness will stop you dead in your tracks. Dreaming is okay, but it is not enough. Thinking is good, but it is not enough. Talking and planning are part of the program, but they are not enough. Words are fine, but they are not enough. Get to work. Work, work, work. "Words without deeds are like a garden full of weeds." (anon.) Laziness is a disease. Don't get that disease. Take your medicine. What is the medicine? Hard work. No pain, no gain.

I Remember Tommy

We didn't hang out much when we were kids. He lived in the neighborhood. I lived on 3rd Street, he lived on 2nd. He was two years older than me. He dressed cool with his khakis, blue suede shoes, and Sir Guy shirts. He had a great sense of humor, it seemed as if he was always making somebody laugh. He was a friendly, white "cholo" who started using drugs early in life. He was an Irish Catholic. He quit high school to join the Army. He got married young, divorced young and had two beautiful daughters. He went to prison on drug-related charges. It was the the late sixties and early seventies. He lived with his mom and older brother. He stayed high most of the time. He pretty-much introduced me to drug use. My first drugs were free. Later he charged me. After that, he charged me double. When we were just drinking beer, he was cool. But when it came to selling drugs; he was stern and cold-blooded. We drank way too much. We missed out on a portion of life. One night we were drinking at a bar called "The Round Up," in National City on Highland Avenue. I said to him: "I am getting so tired of this life, I'm sick of it." He asked me: "What are you going to do?" I said: "I don't know, but I gotta do something, maybe even go to church." "Your crazy!" He said. The irony of the story is evident. What actually happened is that I did start visiting Church; and I liked it. Some months passed. I got converted and became a Christian. I quit drinking and using drugs. I quit hanging out with Tommy but he called me once in a while. One day I got a call from his brother. Apparently Tommy had taken too many drugs and had temporarily lost his mind. His brother asked me to visit Tommy at "Four North," the psycho ward of Paradise Valley Hospital in National City. Tommy was the one that had told me I was crazy. There is much more to this story, but I will save it for another time.

I Don't Live In Arizona

There is a great deal of controversy related to the new immigration law in Arizona. I am not very concerned about it. I live in the San Diego area. I have a great deal of responsibility here. I am very busy here. I have a life here. I am not looking for an issue here (or anywhere else) "Issues" keep me busy. PEOPLE NEED GOD. That is the most important issue on the whole planet. I am already fighting a big battle. It is the battle between the truth and lies. I will take to the streets. Yes, I sure will. I will take to the streets to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I will not take to the streets, breaking windows, beating people who do not agree with me, and carrying signs that have absolutely nothing to do with eternal life. Man, PEOPLE NEED GOD! I do not know what the circumstances are that initiated the need to change a law in Arizona. I do not know what people are experiencing there. I don't live there. I've been told that 70% of the residents of the state of Arizona are in favor of the law. I've also been told that 60% of the Hispanic population favors the law. I don't know what actions or circumstances prompted this law. I say let the people that live there handle the problem, whatever it may be. Activists from out of the state need to attend to their families. They need to take their children to Sunday School. Activist from out of the state of Arizona; take your grandkids to the zoo. Go buy them an ice cream. Activist; stay away from liquor and drugs. Please realize that activism does not provide the "rush" you think it provides. Your family needs attention. Provide it. I don't live in Arizona. Neither do you.