Majority of Voters Surveyed Say There Was Election Fraud in 2020 After Seeing ‘2000 Mules’ Evidence
Dinesh D’Souza’s “2000 Mules” has earned over $1.7 million within three weeks of release.
This is especially phenomenal:
🔹Most documentaries earn far less than a $1/2 million total.
🔹This accomplishment is despite the false narratives of news and Big Tech medias unanimously against the film.
🔹These box office receipts are remarkable in a theater marketplace suffering from over two years of pandemic restrictions.
🔹The documentary continues on in over 450 select theaters which undercuts its box office potential.
🔹Select theaters viewing is common for documentary releases, which rarely receive the screen count numbers that your average movie receives with over 4,000 movie houses.
This is the least amount of stolen votes and doesn’t include Dominion voting machines manipulation, ballots illegally tossed by USPS, duplicate ballot printing, etc.
🔹The film made a brief theatrical run before debuting on VOD-like services (Rumble and Locals.com) last month. That multi-pronged release strategy collected $10 million as of May 12, according to Salem Media Group.
🔹2000 Mules, available on DVD for less than a week, now finds itself as the Amazon.com number one release in the “Movies and TV” category.
D’Souza’s “2000 Mules” proves some of the most corrupt influences– measured by geotracking technology and actual videos of illegal ballot harvesting—helped steal the 2020 election.
A survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on June 1-2, 2022 by Rasmussen Reports regarding 2000 Mules. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
The “national telephone and online survey finds that 77% of those Likely U.S. voters who have seen ‘2000 Mules’ say the movie strengthened their conviction that there was systematic and widespread election fraud in the 2020 election,” Rasmussen said. “Only 19% of those who have seen the documentary say their belief in election fraud was weakened.
The survey asked, “Did the film strengthen or weaken your conviction that there was systematic and widespread election fraud in the 2020 election?”
The poll found that the majority of Democrats, Independents and Republicans said it strengthened their conviction:
🔹85% of Republicans
🔹77% of Independents
🔹68% of Democrats
Among voters who have seen the documentary, 78% say they would recommend “2000 Mules” to others regardless of whether or not they share their political beliefs. That includes:
🔹84% of Republicans
🔹73% of Democrats
🔹74% of unaffiliated voters who have seen the film.
Knowing I’m an advid autograph collector, my mother, Geraldine Dennis was always on the lookout and obtained several signatures for me.
In April 1969, she took me to a Tom Jones concert with my cousins Carolyn Sanders Gerland and James Johnson at the Hemisfair Arena in San Antonio, Texas. Gladys Knight and the Pips and comedian Norm Crosby also appeared.
Hemisfair Arena, San Antonio 1969
They performed on a stage, in the center of the arena, with an amazing orchestra on one side. I was only 13 and the entire show was incredible. Tom Jones sang such hits as “It’s Not Unusual,” “Delilah,” and “Help Yourself.”
I was mesmerized by the strength in his voice and boldness of his showmanship. (It would be three years later, in April 1972, when I would see Elvis Presley for the first time at that same arena…and up until that concert, never did I believe Tom Jones could be beat. LOL.)
Elvis & Tom, 1969
For years Mom would laugh and say, “When I die I want to come back reincarnated as a gospel backup singer so I can stand behind Tom Jones and watch him work on stage.”
She meant it.
On her 50th birthday we took her to the Magic Time Machine restaurant. It first opened in 1973, the year I graduated from high school, and continues to be a fun favorite in San Antonio.
The Time Machine is like no other restaurant I’ve ever seen, with no two seating areas alike. In San Antonio, you can sit at the Sweethearts Table, in The Attic, a Thatched Hut or even an old Refrigerator. Mom loved the salad bar, a shiny red 1952 MG-TD Roadster modified to serve as a soup and salad vegetables.
“The thing that sets The Magic Time Machine apart is our zany cast of characters who transport our guests into another point in time,” their website bills themselves. “Our servers dress in costumes representing popular pop culture icons from the past, present, and future. The entertainment comes from the humorous interaction with your server in a family friendly environment. Pirate or Princess? Hero or Villain? We have characters for every occasion and group. At The Magic Time Machine, ‘Laughing Aloud is Allowed’!”
It was a fun night that January 17, 1988. Elvis was in the house and Mom told her friends Wayne and Betty Lewis, “I wished Tom Jones would make an appearance too” and explained her reincarnation wish.
We had great laughs but it was especially joyful to see her open my present to her—an 8×10″ glossy personally autographed picture of Tom Jones. The smile and happy tears on her face endure in my thoughts even today.
I took mom to see Tom Jones two more times (she had even seen him in Las Vegas) both in San Antonio’s Majestic Theater and the Laurie Auditorium. Each time she repeated her reincarnation wish–“gospel singer behind Tom Jones.”
When Mom died in September 2006, the funeral at First Baptist Church in Boerne, Texas was full. My sister Bobbi Shipman and I both addressed our dear family and friends, some we hadn’t seen in decades. Of course, there was great emotion and sadness.
To end it all, a gospel group from a Black San Antonio church led by Janet Givens (she has sang to royalty and backed up Michael Bolton) practically blew the stained glass windows out of the church with their songs. They concluded with “Oh Happy Day!”
Mom’s funeral was appropriately uplifting…just like her.
Happy Birthday Sir Tom Jones
I imagine that as Sir Tom Jones celebrates his 82nd birthday here on Earth June 7th, Mom will be wishing him good will and happiness from Heaven–and looking at his behind.
Sometimes serendipity has a way of appearing to us even when we are not realizing it at the moment.
Don’t miss flies appearances on Obama, Hillary, Pence and more below.
Such was the case recently when I overheard two teen students at the library discussing a homework assignment regarding the symbolism in a novel they both read.
It was the Lord of the Flies, a William Golding book first published in 1954. Two movies have been based on the novel, in 1963 and 1990, but I haven’t seen them.
What I learned, from my eavesdropping and later research, is that the story is both a physical “manifestation of the beast, a symbol of the power of evil, and a kind of Satan figure who evokes the beast within each human being.”
Looking at the novel in the context of biblical parallels, the Lord of the Flies recalls the devil, just as the character Simon in the story recalls Jesus. I learned the title “Lord of the Flies” is a literal translation of the name of the biblical name ‘Beelzebub,’ a powerful demon in hell sometimes thought to be the devil himself.
The story is basically about some boys stranded on an island after their plane crashes. No adults survive the crash. They are left to fend for themselves on an island that has everything they need to survive. At first, the boys maintain order and are civilized, but as time wears on, they grow savage and anarchistic.
That very day, I’m eating lunch at a quaint Texas Hill Country cafe listening to some local farmers and ranchers complaining about the return of the flies this season.
“Those damn flies are satanic, you know,” one of the older ranchers said as his plate arrived on the table. The others listened seriously.
“The Bible and even many great works of literature has plenty to say about the symbolism of evil regarding flies,” the respected man continued. “Look it up, you might learn you a thing or two.”
“What will it tell me,” quickly replied the usual loudest of this regular lunch group. “So what does it mean when Obama, or Hillary and even traitor Mike Pence all have flies buzzing on their heads or in their face on TV for all the world to see?”
The rancher knights around their Table of Wisdom all laughed, but the wise one simply deadpanned, “Let us know after you read the Bible.”
I’m not sure about the Table of Wisdom Knights, but I looked it up in the Bible.
Then I looked up the rancher’s question about flies and politicians. It appears that the fly appearances in politics and media began during the Obama Administration years.
Flys then began making cameo presentations on Mainstream Media broadcasts.
Suddenly, they began making additional political appearances.
It was fun interviewing and meeting performers (Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Clint Eastwood, Freddie Mercury, Kenny Loggins, Jim Messina, and Jackson Browne, to name a few).
In journalism school at Southwest Texas State (now Texas State) University, I started out as University Star Fine Arts Assistant Editor my sophomore year.
Jimmy Carter
Elvis Presley
Willie Nelson
BB King
Jack with Clint Eastwood
Especially rewarding were lessons I took away from writing reviews of concerts, theatrical performing arts, books and art. Committed to learning all I could to hone writing skills, I paid particular attention to Journalism and English professors who endured my thirst for knowledge in and out of class.
One of the more prominent lessons was the “Three Act Narrative.” Today, we have the Internet, but I wouldn’t trade the value of learning from brilliant teachers and good ol’ trial and error.
In screenplay writing, I’ve learned movie plots go by a formula called “The Hero’s Journey.” However, in practically every story you’ve ever read or seen has more in common than you think.
What if I said that a bloodcurdling horror movie with zombies and a Shakespeare play has the same building blocks? Sounds bizarre, doesn’t it? But it won’t be once you understand what narrative structure is.
Plot vs Narrative
You may have heard of the word plot and the word narrative, but they are not one and the same.
🔹‘Plot’ refers to the summation of events in any given story.
🔹 ‘Narrative’ refers to the way the plot is structured and presented to the reader.
Detective novels involve the investigation recounting what actually happened in the mystery. While the plot would involve these details regardless of where they appear in the text, the narrative offers the reader clues along the way and saves the big reveal for the end.
By cursory glance, the structure may seem inconsequential. But in truth, the narrative is what makes every story satisfying.
As readers, we love to piece together the details of any story ourselves before its revealed at the end. We also love when the writer peppers foreshadowing throughout the novel, as it makes the ending that much more satisfying. Even twist endings make sense in some way. But why is that?
This is because of a concept most writers use called the three-act structure. The concept is simple; your story can be divided into three, clearly defined or not, acts, each serving a different purpose. At its simplest, a story must have a beginning, middle and end. But how the writer structures these three has a large impact on how the story itself is read.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theater
Act I: The first act has all to do with the setup. Also known as the expository act, this part of the story establishes everything we, the reader, need to know.
Where is this story set? If it’s not a real-world setting, what are the rules by which the universe operates? Who is our main character? What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses? What is the main conflict our hero must overcome? These are all questions the first act must answer.
The first act also features an ‘inciting incident’ that sets the story in motion and slowly builds towards a major plot point.
Act II: The second act starts right after the first major ‘incident’ in a novel. In The Wizard of Oz, this would be when Dorothy reaches Munchin Land for example, and the first major plot point was Glenna the Good Witch telling her to “follow the Yellow Brick Road.”
The second act’s role is to build towards the big climax by adding additional details that will become relevant later and include a second major plot point. Some novels may even feature a ‘midpoint’ – this is where the protagonist is at their lowest or the farthest from achieving their goals.
Act III: The third act packs the biggest punch of all – the climax. But before the climax, there must be something called a pre-climax. This is the part where the protagonist is working towards the climax in which they face their primary conflict head-on.
In The Wizard of Oz, this would be the lessons learned along the way with Scarecrow, Tinman and the Cowardly Lion to be overcomed before Dorothy confronts the Great and Powerful Wizard.
The third act is usually the shortest act in any novel because it moves so fast. Following the climax, the novel quickly offers a resolution that wraps everything up.
Freytag’s Pyramid
The 19th-century German writer Gustav Freytag adapted the three-act structure into what is now known as Freytag’s pyramid.
According to Freytag:
🔹‘Rising action’ is where the stakes are continuously raised and the key to building a satisfying climax.
🔹‘Falling action’ is when the big conflict is conquered and the story either winds down for a resolution or resets for a sequel, as is the case with most children’s books.
The name ‘three act structure’ comes from the fact that most dramas, especially dramas in ancient Greece as well as most of Shakespeare’s play years later, followed the three-act structure almost religiously.
Aristotle, in his seminal work ‘poetics’, where he explains the mechanics of what makes a good story, explains the important way to keep a story moving is its “cause and effect beats”. Every scene in a story must feed into the scene that happens next and not seem like standalone episodes.
The three-act structure is especially important in cinema, which must fit a remarkable amount of plot points, rising action and character growth into two hours or so.
Alfred Hitchcock
Screenplay writers rely on the three-act structure to help them pace their movie in a way that keeps the audience engaged as well. The three-act structure really took off in the film industry after Syd Field’s pioneering book ‘Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. This book has served as a reference for some giants in the industry like James Cameron, Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood and in writing their own movies too.
The three-act structure has become so prevalent that it has also influenced the way TV shows are written. You may have noticed that when your favorite television show ends on a cliffhanger, the next season quickly resolves the cliffhanger so it can move on to building up the story again.
A narrative that is just as intense throughout the story with no build rarely has a satisfying ending. So what these TV show creators are doing is something like a soft reset. They are slowly building conflict again so that the season finale can be the most exciting point in the season.
Once you realize the basics of the three-act structure, it’s not that hard to spot. Whether it’s in books, movies, or TV shows, the three-act structure is everywhere.
A common topic of discussion in our family after watching a movie or seeing a play include questions like Where did the writers go wrong? Was there not enough exposition? Was there too much exposition? Did they drag out the middle?
Fifty years ago today—on July 12, 1971—the first authorized U.S. performance of Jesus Christ Superstar was held at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. It was a concert tour leading up to the show’s October launch on Broadway.
Two days later, the show came to Asbury Park, New Jersey. A review of that show called it “a fascinating and beautiful piece of music and ideas.”
The reviewer added, “It will be interesting to see what the Broadway version is like. Doesn’t seem as if it could beat this one.”
On October 27, 1970, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, who would go on to become the most successful composer-lyricist team in modern theater history, released a double-LP “concept” album called Jesus Christ Superstar, which only later would become the smash-hit Broadway musical of the same name.
The album spawned a Top 40 single in versions of “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” by both Yvonne Elliman and Helen Reddy, and it shot all the way to the top of the Billboard album charts in early 1971.
The original Broadway show debuted on October 12, 1971, and had 711 performances before closing in July 1973.
Since then, the franchise has included a 1973 movie along with other Broadway productions.
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Travel deep into the heart of the Texas Panhandle and you’ll find a true natural wonder. Canyon walls gleaming orange in bright sunshine, otherworldly rock formations, and scenic trails lined with mesquite and juniper trees await at Palo Duro Canyon.
About 120 miles long and 20 miles wide, and with a depth of roughly 800 feet, Palo Duro is the second largest canyon in the country. Formed over millions of years, the canyon is a majestic showcase of nature’s power. Descend into its depths and you’ll see vibrant layers of rock in the canyon walls that tell a story 250 million years in the making.
I first traveled to Palo Duro while RVing with two sons, ages 8 and 9, in 2005. They were enchanted and loved the remoteness. Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs was their favorite on this particular trip, but Palo Duro Canyon was a highly rated second place.
I suppose some people naturally compare it to the Grand Canyon. If you’ve been there, how can you measure any place against the Grand Canyon? To do so may disappoint. For their young eyes–who had never been to Arizona–Palo Duro was spectacular and offered a spirit of adventure.
We only stayed two nights, but could have easily stayed more. My journalism professor at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State), Jeff Henderson, told me about a show there back in the late 1970s. It remained on my bucket list for 30 years before I was able to experience it.
We enjoyed a great Chuck Wagon meal prior to the event just outside the entry of the Pioneer Ampitheater.
It’s beautifully carved out of and nestled into a natural basin in the state park. Summer 2021 the spectacular TEXAS OUTDOOR MUSICAL Palo Duro Canyon comes alive once again for the 55th season of the Official Play of the State of Texas.
It reminded me of a Seven Brides For Seven Brothers Broadway musical type play but set against an authentic tapestry of history. The show’s fictional characters bring to life the stories, struggles and triumphs of the settlers of the Texas Panhandle in the 1800’s. Song and dance abound – and a generous helping of good ol’ Texas humor too – with spellbinding lighting, special effects and fireworks.
For a dad with his two sons, one of the best ways we experienced the canyon was by tying on hiking shoes and exploring the CCC Trail, one of more than 30 miles of trails.
If a strenuous, yet rewarding, hike is what you’re after, traverse either the Upper Comanche or the Lower Comanche trails. The former takes you across a river and deep through Comanche territory to an overlook halfway up the canyon wall. The latter meanders beneath Fortress Cliff and past spring-fed streams and Rocky Mountain junipers. Meanwhile, the Juniper/Cliffside trail offers a more easygoing stroll past percolation caves carved by moving water over time.
The Lighthouse
A favorite for many visitors (it was the middle of June, hot, so we elected not to try it–almost 6 mile round trip) to Palo Duro Canyon hike to the Lighthouse, the park’s iconic rock formation. If you decide to trek to Lighthouse trail to see it for yourself, make sure to bring plenty of water.
Of course, there are other ways to uncover Palo Duro Canyon’s many wonders. Ride horseback on the canyon floor on a guided tour with Old West Stables or find your way along many of the trails on your mountain bike.
The canyon’s lush landscapes and variety of terrain makes it a veritable hotspot for birdwatching. Golden-fronted woodpeckers are among the many birds you can see throughout the year, while summer welcomes such colorful species as painted buntings and Bullock’s orioles.
Keep a keen eye and you may even see bobcats, coyotes, and wild turkeys, as well as members of the official State Longhorn Herd (descendants of cattle brought by the Spanish in the 1500s).
Longtime ‘To Tell the Truth’ panelist was also a regular on ‘The Tonight Show’ where he appeared more than 200 times.
Actress Dawn Wells
Television’s “Mary Ann” on Gilligan’s Island at age 82.
Actor Sean Connery, 1930 – 2020
Hollywood legend who brought 007 James Bond to life on the silver screen. The best James Bond.
Actress Honor Blackman, 1925 – 2020
Blackman and Connery, Goldfinger.
Longtime actress portrayed Catherine Gale on ‘The Avengers’ and may be best know for playing the James Bond character Pussy Galore in ‘Goldfinger’
Actor Chadwick Boseman, 1976 – 2020
Best known for his blockbuster role as Black Panther, Boseman also portrayed Jackie Robinson in the movie ’42′
Actor Wilford Brimley, 1934 – 2020
Film and TV actor with notable roles in films like ‘The Natural’ may best be remembered for his long-running television commercials.
MLB All-Star Lou Brock, 1939 – 2020
Longtime Cardinals outfield was a first ballot Hall of Famer in 1985.
NBA star Kobe Bryant, 1978 – 2020
18-time NBA All Star was also 2008 league MVP and won 5 NBA Championships
Actor Edd Byrnes, 1932 – 2020
Longtime TV actor best known for his role in ’77 Sunset Strip’ and for playing TV host Vince Fontaine in ‘Grease’
Fashion designer Pierre Cardin, 1922 – 2020
Longtime fashion designer was a pioneer in modern and futuristic styles
Author Mary Higgins Clark, 1927 – 2020
Mystery and suspense writer with dozens of novels to her name.
Actor Robert Conrad, 1935 – 2020
Ross Martin, left, and Robert Conrad, right.
Played agent James T. West on the television show ‘Wild Wild West’ and Major Boyington on ‘Black Sheep Squadron
Singer and songwriter Mac Davis, 1942 – 2020
Country music singer who wrote several hits for Elvis Presley including ‘A Little Less Conversation’
Actress Olivia de Havilland, 1916 – 2020
Olivia de Havilland
Golden Age of Hollywood performer who appeared in multiple films opposite Errol Flynn; also appeared in ‘Gone With the Wind’ as Melanie Hamilton
Actor Bryan Dennehy, 1938 – 2020
Longtime television and film actor who appeared in a vide variety of movies like ‘First Blood,’ ‘Cocoon’ and ‘Tommy Boy’
Singer Tommy DeVito, 1928 – 2020
Founding member of The Four Seasons
Actor Kevin Dobson, 1943 – 2020
Soap opera actor best known for his roles on ‘Knots Landing’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’
Actor Kirk Douglas, 1916 – 2020
Longtime actor, father of Michael Douglas and Hollywood royalty, Douglas starred in many blockbusters including ‘Spartacus’ and ’20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’
Shortstop Tony Fernandez, 1962 – 2020
Sept. 18, 1987, New York Yankees’ Rickey Henderson, bottom, steals second base below Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Tony Fernández during a baseball game in New York.
Actress Rhonda Fleming, 1923 – 2020
Longtime Hollywood actress was known as ‘The Queen of Technicolor’
Pitcher Whitey Ford, 1928 – 2020
Longtime Yankees starter won the Cy Young Award and was world series MVP in 1961
MLB pitcher Bob Gibson, 1935 – 2020
May 17, 2017: Bob Gibson, a member of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 1967 World Series championship team, takes part in a ceremony honoring the 50th anniversary of the victory, before a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox in St. Louis. Gibson, the dominating pitcher who won a record seven consecutive World Series starts and set a modern standard for excellence when he finished the 1968 season with a 1.12 ERA, died Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. He was 84.
A 1981 HoF inductee was among the all-time strikeouts leaders
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 1933 – 2020
Supreme Court Justice from 1993 – 2020
Musician Peter Green, 1946 – 2020
Guitarist and co-founder of Fleetwood Mac and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Director and writer Buck Henry, 1930 – 2020
Twice nominated for Academy Awards (‘The Graduate’ and ‘Heaven Can Wait’), Henry helped create the series ‘Get Smart’
Magician Roy Horn, 1944 – 2020
Part of the Las Vegas entertainment duo Sigfried & Roy.
Singer Bonnie Pointer
One of the three Pointer Sisters.
Singer Millie Small
Jamaican singer best known for ‘My Bob Lollipop” in the 1960s.
MLB outfielder Al Kaline, 1934 – 2020
Longtime Tigers outfielder went to 18 All Star Games and was a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Benjamin Keough, 1997-2020
Son of Lisa Marie Presley, brother of Riley Keough, grandson of Elvis and Priscilla Presley.
TV host Tom Kennedy, 1927 – 2020
Host of many game shows including ‘You Don’t Say!’ and ‘Name That Tune’
Country singer and songwriter Hal Ketchum, 1953-2020
Known for hits like ‘Small Town Saturday Night’ and ‘Hearts Are Gonna Roll’
Actor David Lander, 1947 – 2020
Best known for playing the character Squiggy on ‘Laverne & Shirley’
Pitcher Don Larsen, 1929 – 2020
Pitched the only perfect game in World Series history
Author John le Carré, 1931 – 2020
British spy novelist who penned works including ‘The Spy Who Came In from the Cold’ and ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’
News anchor Jim Lehrer, 1934 – 2020
Longtime PBS anchorman and presidential debate moderator
MLB player and coach Joe Morgan, 1943 – 2020
Hall of Fame player and former coach who transitioned to broadcasting
Singer and songwriter Johnny Nash, 1940 – 2020
Best known for his hit ‘I Can See Clearly Now’
Fred ‘Curly’ Neal, 1942 – 2020
Longtime member of the Harlem Globetrotters
Pitcher Phil Niekro, 1939 – 2020
Hall of Fame pitcher who helped make the knuckleball famous won more than 300 games in his long pro career.
Actor Ken Osmond, 1943 – 2020
Played Eddie Haskell on ‘Leave it to Beaver’
Singer Richard Wayne Penniman (Little Richard), 1932 – 2020
One of the first members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
TV host Regis Philbin, 1931 – 2020
Longtime talk show host who also hosted game shows like ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’
Actress Kelly Preston, 1962 – 2020
Appeared in dozens of films and TV shows from the ’80s onward; wife of actor John Travolta
Singer Charley Pride, 1934 – 2020
Former baseball player, Grammy Award winner and 2000 inductee in the Country Music Hall of Fame
Singer and songwriter John Prine, 1946 – 2020
Grammy-winning country and folk singer
Actor and comedian Carl Reiner, 1922 – 2020
Won multiple Emmy Awards for his work on ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ among others.
Actress Diana Rigg, 1938 – 2020
Longtime actress played Emma Peel on ‘The Avengers’ and also appeared as the wife of James Bond in ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’
Actress Naya Rivera, 1987 – 2020
An autopsy report released Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 says “Glee” actor Naya Rivera raised her arm and called for help as she accidentally drowned while boating with her 4-year-old son on a California lake.
Former ‘Glee’ actress
Singer and songwriter Kenny Rogers, 1938 – 2020
Kenny Rogers (by Jack Dennis)
Multiple Grammy winner and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame best known for hits like ‘The Gambler,’ ‘Lucille’ and ‘Lady’
Actor John Saxon, 1936 – 2020
Appeared in multiple westerns and horror films and starred with Bruce Lee in ‘Enter the Dragon’
Running back Gale Sayers, 1943 – 2020
Youngest player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after injuries cut his career for the Bears short.
Coach Don Shula, 1930 – 2020
Winningest coach in NFL history, coached Miami Dolphins to first perfect season in NFL.
Pitcher Tom Seaver, 1944 – 2020
Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, ‘Tom Terrific’ is still among the all-time leaders in strikeouts.
Actor and comedian Jerry Stiller, 1927 – 2020
Father of actor Ben Stiller, Jerry was a longtime Hollywood mainstay in his own right. Enjoyed a resurgence in popularity after appearing on ‘Seinfeld’ as George’s father.
Musician Peter Tork, 1942 – 2020
Peter Tork, center, of The Monkees rocketed to teen idol fame in 1965 playing the lovably clueless bass guitarist in the made-for-television rock band The Monkees, died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, of complications related to cancer. He was 77.
Keyboardist for The Monkees
TV host Alex Trebek, 1940 – 2020
Longtime host of ‘Jeopardy!’ and many other game shows
Guitarist Eddie Van Halen, 1955 – 2020
Co-founder and songwriter for Van Halen.
Actor Lyle Waggoner, 1935 – 2020
Longtime actor on ‘The Carol Burnett Show,’ Waggoner also played Steve Trevor on ‘Wonder Woman’ in the ’70s
Actor Fred Willard, 1933 – 2020
The Ohio native had a string of guest appearances on popular television shows in the ’80s and ’90s while appearing in many Christopher Guest films as well.
Singer Bill Withers, 1938 – 2020
Member of the Rock Hall and Songwriters Hall of Fame, Withers’ hits included ‘Lean on Me’ and ‘Just the Two of Us’
Singer Betty Wright, 1953 – 2020
Known for her hits like ‘Tonight is the Night’ and ‘Clean Up Woman.’
Aviator Chuck Yeager, 1923 – 2020
Former military pilot and first man to break the flight sound barrier.
Who knew 2020 would be so limiting and stressful? From toilet paper shortages to wearing masks, our world definitely changed.
However, we decided to make the best of it–as much as we could. Defying the newscasts, Dodie and I even went on a 15-state (plus Washington D.C.) road tour for 32 days in June and July.
Don’t let all this negative news get you down! Love your family and friends. Do something fun.
For today or this weekend, pick just one!
Bike Ride
Bowling
Go to the Zoo
Cook Together
Split a Milkshake
Plan a Road Trip
Pick out Each Other’s Outfits
Son Brady joined us at SeaWorld.2020.
Go to the Gym
Aquarium
Go Tanning
Match Socks Together
Take a Nap
Have a Movie Marathon. (themes: comedy, select movie star, love, drama, horror, classics, sci-fi, etc.) We watch very little TV, but when we do we make it fun with popcorn, etc.
Recently we watched episodes of The Chosen series, Lonesome Dove and even the second season of the 1969s television series Lost In Space.
There’s a big difference in watching the space ones as a man in my 60s vs. the boy I was in the 1960s.
Kiss in the Rain
Plant a Garden
Kiss Underwater
See a Play at a Local Theater
We enjoy Boerne Community Theater.
Paint a Room in Your House
Shopping
Buy Matching Bracelets
Pigeon Forge in July 2020
Ride on a Ferris wheel
Watch Fireworks
July 4th Washington D.C.
Scrabble
Make Breakfast
Road Trip
Branson, MO July 2020
Ride Rails
Write Each Other Letters
Go to a Vineyard
Classy Date
Right before the pandemic we saw Michael Buble in Phoenix and Rod Stewart in Las Vegas.
Get Concert Tickets
Eat Ice Cream
Walk
Mini Golfing
Beach
Kiss at Midnight
Go Running
Play the Wii
Laser Tag
Paint War
Play Tennis
Make a Couple’s Video
Count Stars
Couple’s Scrapbook. Here’s an idea. We have pictures of us how we were in the 1960s.
Take a Picture Kissing
Put Together a Puzzle
Sing a Song Really Loud
Read a Book Together
Order Chinese Food
Slow Dance
Dancing and enjoying our sunsets in the Texas Hill Country.
Watch a Sunset
Build a Blanket Fort
Share Popcorn at the Movies
YOGA
San Antonio College Planetarium
Visit Planetarium
Get a Pedicure
Make Chalupas Together
Silently Stare at Each Other for One Minute Without Cracking a Smile
One of You Draw a Picture. The Other Color It.
Visit a Museum.
Jennifer, Jack, Dodie and Brady Dennis at the Witte Museum. 2020
Others museums we visited in 2020: WonderWorks (Branson), Elvis Car Museum (Memphis), Museum of Jesus Christ (Smoky Mountains), Andy Griffith Museum (Mt. Airy, NC), Alcatraz East Crime Museum (Pigeon Forge), Ark Encounter (Williamstown, KY).
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In a Fox News interview on Sunday, August 23, 2020, President Donald Trump stated the possibility of decoupling/separating the United States economy from China.
“Well it’s something that if they don’t treat us right I would certainly, I would certainly do that,” the President said.
A possibility of decoupling U.S. and Chinese economy, as stated by Treasury Secretary Steven Munchin, could arise “if America’s companies are not allowed to compete on a fair and level bases in China’s economy.”
Most Americans have no clue that when they walk into a movie theater, the likelihood it’s owned by Chinese companies controlled by Beijing is high.
It’s not your grandparents’ movie theater anymore.
AMC theaters may stand for American Multi-Cinema, but they are owned by China. Billed as “an American company based in Kansas,” the propaganda is familiar as with other Chinese controlled companies.
In actuality, the Wanda Group, a Chinese conglomerate, are the controlling owners of over 11,000 American movie screens.
Make no doubt about it, China controls much of Hollywood and influences what we are allowed to see–in the manner they want it.
Beijing’s State Council forces U.S. filmmakers to censor and adjust their screenplays if they wish to show movies in China’s lucrative market of moviegoers. They allow 34 non-Chinese films into its market every year.
This year, while other theaters remain closed for pandemic restrictions, China will be the biggest movie going country in the world.
Disney, which owns ABC News, also owns only 43 percent of their theme park in Shanghai. Their film studios are hoping to distribute movies in China, where they must pass government censors.
The Communist Controlled Shanghai Shendi Group owns 57 percent of Shanghai Disney.
Thanks to our parents, my favorite Biblical stories are likely the same as many others. I loved when my father would read about Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, and Daniel in the Lions Den.
Before I was old enough to read, I recall drawing and coloring a picture of animals on Noah’s Ark in Vacation Bible School.
With cousins Patti, Carolyn, Gayle and Dennis Sanders, along with friends Sue and Johnny Standridge, we were proud to have our art work displayed in the South San Antonio church in the summer of 1961.
Cousins Jackie Dennis & Patti Sanders, 1961
I never really questioned the validity of the stories. Even when a 1974 socialogy professor at Southwest Texas State University tried his best to make fun of Christian students for believing, did I have doubts. I just walked out of the class and never returned. Dropped it (So did several others).
Many things about college broadened my ideologies and “expanded my horizons.” I even naively voted for Jimmy Carter, but only the first time. Even after interviewing the President at the Alamo a few days before the 1980 election, I didn’t vote to reelect him.
Photo of President Jimmy Carter taken by Jack Dennis after interview at Alamo.
Thankfully, I didn’t naively fall for most of the indoctrination attempts, even back in 70s. Even those I did were quickly dissolved when I became a parent and more productive taxpayer.
With a natural skepticism for politicians, lobbyists, liberal education agendas and society experimenters, I didn’t succumb…or doubt the story of Noah’s Ark.
Sure, I had the common questions on how it was practically possible. Could the ark really fit that many animals? Could it float with that much weight? I’ve read many of the debates, theories and accounts on the subject.
Our recent visit to the Ark Encounter in Kentucky put many questions to rest, but opened up new ones: dinosaurs? animal waste? insects?
It was another serendipitous moment driving into Branson, Missouri two days later and seeing a “NOAH-The Musical” billboard sign of it playing at the Sight and Sound Theater there. We signed up for tickets.
Never in my dreams could I have imagined how this could be turned into a great play.
I’ve seen Broadway productions in New York of Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys, Wicked, and Mama Mia.
Living above the Majestic Theater in San Antonio, I saw (and wrote about many) practically every performance played there for five years.
Let me tell you, dear friends, “NOAH-The Musical” is spectacular. It’s very informative and the “WOW” factor of the production is the best I’ve experienced anywhere.
The sets are incredible, and worth the price of seeing alone. The engineering, artistry, and time that went into creating them is truly astounding.
The fortunate aspect of the play is that the singing and acting talent is a must see complement to the total production. We were fortunate to have second row seats on the center aisle (front row empty for social distancing). The up-close perspective of the actors, emotion on their faces and the quirky little things that the animals do are fantastic. Many of the animals passed by us to enter the stage from a mechanical ramp at center stage. It’s like having our own personal experience, way beyond any theater. At one point, after intermission, the stage opens up on both sides to further captivate the audience.
Dodie loved watching the live pigs, goats, sheep, donkey, horses, camels and dogs go by. There were also doves that flew overhead on several occasions.
From the moment you drive into the parking lot, Sight and Sound is impressive. The building is large with several shining domes and beautiful landscaping that includes a large statue of a lion and lamb.
The lobby is equally lovely with decor that brings you back to Biblical times. Besides the box office, there are concession stands that offer a small, but tasty assortment of reasonably priced foods.
Ushers are helpful and anticipatory. They offered booster seats for children, pushed wheelchairs, and checked for special needs.
It’s a state-of-the-art 2000-seat, 339,000 square foot theater and has become a favored destination of Branson audiences. The shows produced by Sight & Sound feature a professional cast of more than 50, elaborate sets towering up to 40 feet high, hundreds of costumes, and trained animals. Wonderful special effects permeate the shows and include set pieces that rise up through the stage floor, 3D video imaging, pyrotechnics and artistic lighting effects including lasers.
It feels like a cast of hundreds, and looks like it as well when the stage is full. There’s everything from singing to dancing to rhythmic gymnastics, live animals, animatronic elephants, penguins, giraffes and Galapagos turtles. It’s masterfully produced at four levels high, complete with animals, baskets, food storage, and everything so many other conceivable needs for the Ark’s voyage.
Noah, is on stage for almost the entire show, and is in most musical numbers, as well as racing throughout the Ark, up and down ladders, and makes the feat look simple.
“NOAH’ is more than the story of an ark filled with animals. This is the epic tale of how one man faced a monumental decision that led to a seemingly impossible task and a world changed forever,” said Sight & Sound Chief Creative Officer Josh Enck. “It’s been nine years since audiences enjoyed ‘NOAH’ in Branson and 25 years since its debut performance. Now, a new generation of families can enjoy this story as they’ve never experienced it before.”
Noah is such an extraordinary story. It is truly one of hope and the faithfulness of God’s promises. We left the theater with a renewed sense of inspiration and hope.
Clever Journeys 