**Consider a Donation

Many of you are in the middle of writing your Christmas Letter and some are well passed that item on you’re to do list. I am envious of those of you that started you’re Christmas shopping earlier in the year and just have to wrap, tag. mail or set your gift under the tree. Over the years many others of you have had to wait until that before Christmas paycheck and decide what bills will go unpaid so you can fulfill your Child’s most wished for present.

The other thought that comes to mind is the other traditions which may arise at this time of year. There is Las Posadas Christmas tradition, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice/Yule, the Winter Sabbath, and of course Christmas and Kwanzaa. Whatever is your culture, faith or your tradition the thought is to be happy and thankful.

Hakuna Matata, it means no worries for the rest of your days as you know from the “Lion King”. It is wishful thinking but a thought we should all live with. To those who have no sympathy for the people who are hurting through no fault of their own this time of year and think it is a waste of time and resources, Humbug. For you It reduces the opportunity to be truly blessed. The blame for your attitude can go to the need of survival, corporate greed, the free market system or whatever but behind all of it is the need to get more at any cost. Sad!

So, while we have well educated and well-bred generations there are those that are not as fortunate and would have much rather been born with that silver spoon in their mouth. But, unfortunately that percentage of folks are shrinking and the number of less fortunate increasing at an astonishing rate. Nature suggests that it is the survival of the fittest, but who are the vultures of the human race who will feast on the flesh of one ravaged by cancer. No one!

This is a time of the year to be happy. A time to give! There is no use in worrying about how we can fix the world. It depends on who you decide you can help. The world will take care of itself if you and I help others.

For HPLA Charities our “fix” is to get every citizen in Wyandotte County, specifically Kansas City Kansas a safe and affordable place to live. A place where there is no threat of death due to lack of, heat, food or water. We recently published a well-known fact. Leaky toilets are silent thieves that steal your money. Climate change is real and water is precious or will become more so soon. It will become a threat to life. If you are not worried for yourself, somewhere not far away from you there is someone, something.

For those who are doing well and can spare a dollar please know we will insure a donation to us will go directly to help those most vulnerable. Even fixing toilets. Don’t hesitate to point out those you know need help and refer them to us. We cherish the Latino, Latinx residents that are in these dire conditions via Habitaciones Para Latinos Association.

HPLA Charities is open to anyone in need but we would like to focus on those in the poorest county and cities in Kansas. They are in our back yard.

www.HPLACharities.org/donate

Mail to:

HPLA Charities

6354 Stevenson St.

Shawnee, Kansas 66218

Humans Before Animals Just Don’t forget the Animals
HBAjDftA. With the many legitimate issues, we Americans are facing today it is understandable the need to abandon our furry friends. Like me many folks love dogs and have had bad experiences with cats, so we are not overly concerned. So, I am for helping a helpless dog more so than a helpless cat. Having said that I despise the neglect or cruelty of any living thing. Oh, I am not talking about the cruelty of chopping weeds or over growing grass in the yard, but you get my drift. Animal shelters are full and the feral cat populations growing rapidly. In my part of the world there is enough wildlife that overpopulation of wild animals stays in check. There are exceptions. My county has had to thin out some herds, mostly deer. Since the county dump is not far, we may need to look at thinning the vulture population too, just kidding.

Of course, I am writing on behalf of Habitaciones Para Latinos Association aka HPLA Charities. As the point person for the charity, I get notices of issues facing our community every day and human suffering of some fashion or another. Yes, we do have success stories. Today I am reminded of one Lady who we have helped for the last 6 years and who getting close to her nineties. She is still able to stay and keep her home. Another Lady however, in her Seventies, has had to move out of her home due to the high cost of maintenance combined with health issues. The tragedy and the point of this story is that we have animal shelters whose facilities are castles compared to the living conditions our low-income seniors and others are facing.

I was moved by a go-fund-me request that was sent to me by a close friend. I know this person well and feel the request was ligament. So, I sent an amount that I could afford to live without to help this cause. There are a couple of extra parts to the story but mainly it was a child that was involved. With all the charitable help there is for children with cancer the debt for the family had still risen astronomically high. I mentioned in a group meeting this morning the term democracy. That is a topic of debate today but what would happen if we voted as a nation to what was most important, prioritize the result and went about insuring and financing the will of the voter. With so many differences of opinion could we make everybody happy? The answer is of course No. Worst yet could we all agree on what the number one priority would be. I look forward to your comments on that one. God is a given.

If and when we ever got to the question of human life verses animal life, there would be a battle on the inability for the animals to vote. Could they vote by default and get a yes vote for putting animals first? I say Yes. However, animals would have the most votes and all us humans would become expendable. I don’t mean to get too far out there. Maybe it is to late already. But the compromise has to be “balance” And while animals would never be able to keep us alive, we humans can keep the animals alive and in balance.

So, lets drill down to just us humans keeping each other alive and keep the animal population in balance. Thin the herds. Should any animal have better resources to survive than the weakest of human. I’d say No! So how can a dog/animal without its basic physiological need come ahead of a human being? Balance? So, we have proportionality the same number of humans hurting as we do animals. I would argue that the animals have us by 10-fold, in their favor today. We are taking better care of animals than we do humans. I would dare say that the monies that many of the human help charities that have grants or donations to bring balance are being operated by overpaid directors while people are being chained to their cost to pay for their basic physiological needs and not getting enough support.

If you are concerned about paying for free college for other people’s children or the cost of green energy to save the earth. Consider your cost to keep human being alive without Social Security, Medicare or Welfare. So, if you read to this point, I know I am preaching to the choir. However, please pass the word around. HPLA Charities has no paid staff, so all donations go to provide support to low-income homeowners with home repairs. We want to provide as nice of a home to all in our community as animals have in most shelters. Please hug your most cherished human and then your pet, please donate as you can afford to do without. www.hplacharities.org/donate

God Bless.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CdceFACAO1S/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Latinos Working Together

The Latino Culture is indeed diversified. Depending on who you talk to, that identifies as Latino, many would rather identify as Spanish, Hispanic, Latino, Tex-Mex, Chicano, etc. Quoting from the Pew Research article by Ana Gonzalez-Barrera. “The terms Hispanics in the United States, used to describe themselves, can provide a direct look at how they view their identity and how the strength of immigrant ties influences the ways they see themselves. About half of Hispanic adults say they most often describe themselves by their family’s country of origin or heritage, using terms such as Mexican, Cuban, Puerto- Rican or Salvadoran, while another 39% most often describe themselves as “Hispanic” or “Latino,” the pan-ethnic terms used most often to describe this group in the U.S”.

Aside: In a brief history lesson Spain explored the world as much as any country. Trade routes and seafaring is know to have begun millenniums before the “age of discovery” or aka “the age of exploration”. These are loosely defined terms for early modern period overlapping with “Age of Sail.” From the 15th to the 17th century, in European History, seafaring Europeans explored regions around the world. The Portuguese invention of the “Caravel” was very maneuverable and able to undertake ocean voyages. It became essential to European maritime exploration. The Spain Ship, Nao Victoria, managed to carry out the first circumnavigation in history. The extensive overseas exploration, with the Portuguese and the Spanish at the forefront, later joined by the Dutch the English and the French, emerged as a powerful factor in European culture, most notably the European encounter and colonization of the the Americas. It also marks an increased adoption of colonialism as a government policy in several European states. As such, it is sometimes synonymous with the first wave of European colonization.

Why is it important to know who brought us to where we are today. In my research it depends on how far back you go and in what part of the world you choose. You can go back millions of years if you wish, but just know that there has been cooperation and partnering among cultures to determine where we are and who we are as earthlings today. This site is dedicated to encourage the Latin based people of the earth to take their rightful place in creation of our current society. Do you see it as a good or bad? Whichever side you take be sure to always keep in mind its your fault we are where we are. Respectfully, “I am not my brothers keeper.” So what you say or do is all on you. You may feel yourself held captive by your environment, but in the US you are free to do what you want as long as you are not hurting yourself or anyone else. Today also you can be who you want to be and go where you want to go. An example is in the foods of the restaurants serving Latino foods. They have, themselves, become very diverse due to the peoples tastes and individuality. For those of us who have been around for awhile, to visit a Mexican restaurant in the US was to order rice and beans, tacos with ground beef, enchiladas, Chile Relleno, or Sopapillas. Of course this is a short list but maybe the most popular items on that menu. Not only has the menus changed in the traditional Mexican Restaurant but restaurants from every other Latin based culture cater to their own. Cuban, Salvadorean, Honduran, Venezuelan, Colombian, Original Mexican from Old Mexico and Spanish to name some. Ropa Vieja, Papusas, Baleadas, Pan de Jamon, Arepa, Chile en Nogada or Pozole and finally from Spain the popular Paella. There are of course many other popular dishes from these countries but for this US born and raised American my family enjoyed Menudo. Food and drinks together are a great way to get acquainted and learn the strength that an individual brings to our society.

As an member in the League of United American Citizens Council in Kansas City Metro #11085 or specifically based in Shawnee Mission, Kansas it is our mission to perpetuate the mission of our National Organization. We have our on local mission but the goal is basically the same. To bring the Hispanic/Latino population together and to support the efforts that are being made by all organizations to promote the unique value this culture brings to the city. With our similarities of the language and the history of the roots that bonds us together it is exhilarating to see us united. There is a movement to divide and create a wider gap between Americans today and it will be essential for us to be the peace-makers and mediators between the left and the right. Our culture has every right to take either side but the side that is working toward unity and peace is the side we should follow. Each side has its extremist and those will be the ones that will hurt the cause. “Together we stand and united we fall.” The Hispanic/Latino cultures must be the one that comes together first as our population is grows quickly and ever so strong.

The Latin demeanor leans towards a society of loving, hard working and peaceful Americans. Don’t let skin color sway you as the Hispanic/Latino is made up of multi-cultural groups which cover the entire color spectrum. 25% of Hispanic/Latinos surveyed said they had been discriminated by other Hispanic/Latinos. I have family member that abhors the illegals sneaking into our country and other members who cherish them and their efforts. The series “Naked & Afraid” doesn’t hold a candle to what some of these folks do to survive. In spite of what you are being bombarded with, by the media, the largest percentage of these folks are coming for safety and survival. A better life. These folks don’t want to do illegal things but are forced many times to do what ever is necessary to reach their final destination. There is the issue of rape and to that I have no patience. But whether a woman gets raped or gives it freely to get where she wants to be it all starts with the animalistic human nature of mans innate need to plant their seed. It is my understanding that there is no better place to do that accept in a women. Most times its a two way street but definitely not always. Prostitution is the worlds oldest profession for a reason. Somethings will never change and today men are as valuable as women in the trade. I remind my family that most of us are off spring of migrant workers of the harvest, herders or laborers from Mexico.

Be that as it may in the grand scheme whether locally or globally; the evildoers are a minority. Among the Latin based cultures the same holds true. We, however must rally together. I won’t get into the ulterior motives of the folks who financed the anthropologist who perpetuated the population of North America, but it is my contention that greed may have had something to do with it. I also believe it was suppose to be done in a peaceful manner. Yes, I may be smoking something but in reality I quite over twenty years ago. The wave that came in 1492 and beyond may have lost their compassion for peace as they were trespassing and like you and me folks defend their turf. In the case of the pilgrims they were able to attain peace with incentives but none the less confiscated territory by force. We have to get to a point whereby we don’t allow anyone to take territory by force or use unfair tactics to overtake it. The capitalist way is for the majority of the citizenry to be convinced to vote for the good of all people and together to do that. But we all know inside trading is God.

We are Habitaciones Para Latinos Association aka HPLA Charities and our motive is to help those left for dead. For those that worked hard all their lives and have used up all saving, assets and ability to work. For those who still own a home or are paying for it and can not afford to keep it in good repair we assist. We do so without charge, deposits or promises from our clients. Can we do it all? Can we help everybody? No, but that is our mission and that is goal. You can help us. Your money along with our volunteers and their financial contributions we can made great progress for life and for peace. God Bless

http://www.hplacharities.org/donate

Recently I was reminded of my shortcomings in several areas of my stories and varies areas of my life. My response can easily be, I have very “Thick Skin”. bring it on. However, I have learned over the years that all folks are due respect. And I am far from perfect. I am not sure who, of the most brilliant, holds the key to happiness. Often I think the least brilliant should get the trophy. But to cut to the chase this charity, my charity HPLA Charities, helps people that are hurting in some or all facets of their life. I can describe hundreds of issues and even more reasons for folks to have problems. Some folks having issues are derived from honest misfortunes. Some are permanent and some are temporary. Some folks have issues due to their own brilliance or ignorance. But, I am intrigued by the critic who feels superior and feels all-knowing. For you the show “Jeopardy” awaits. If you can go unbeaten on that show you may have a chance to be heard and respected by many. Otherwise join us as a group of very opinionated Americans that are not always right ourselves.

What does your ideal world look like? The radius of my net is far to long. So I’ll reel it in to just include me. Life is good for me just being liked. My acquaintances accepting my views. Being told to look at it this way or that but never chastised. I will make mistakes. A serious enough one can cause much harm. There are consequences to all mistakes. Most of the consequences I face are self inflicted. Seldom ostracized or dispensed. Disappointment in myself can be the most hurtful. Thank God for those who love me unconditionally. Yes I believe I do have some.

I have been told some homeless folks are very happy to live on the street and don’t care where there next “util” or utility is coming from. They have no hedonistic needs per se’. The public outcry is “whose paying for the social services these folks receive?” I am not going to get on my soapbox at this point but I will point out that some folks don’t have a voice nor do they want a voice. They just want to be left alone and if they need something they will ask for it. Usually they will get it.

So to my moaning and groaning, as one critic put it, I speak for those who want to have a voice and don’t have the resources, skills or platform to voice their pain. To ask for help. To plead their case. I can tell you hundreds of stories of folks that have resolved themselves to their sad situation for that very reason. When we come across them we want the world to know. We want the world to help. And yes we can provide the greatest resource; a caring volunteer. As I age and become disabled, myself, I can assure you there will come a time when you will get depressed due to your condition. Please know HPLA Charities will do all it can to be there for you. If we are there in the near future; it is because someone stepped up to the plate and said “Sir I want to do what you do and I am strong and able to do it”. It will take a thick skin, it will take sacrifice, it will take skills. The old saying is “I am a Jack of All Trades and a Master of None”. You will need to be a jack of all trades to replace me, but you will also have masters of trades that you can call on. I am so grateful to those of you who I can call on to be the Masters of the Trade when needed.

I am happy to moan and groan about the folks that are hurting in our area due to you not knowing who they are and hope I am doing something to help. I will seek out those that are hurting & I will use your desire to help them by taking you along where we go. We go in your name and because you give us the support we need to do what we do. Thank You our donors.

Thank you Adam. Bill. Charley, Debbie, Esther, Francis, Georgie, Heather, Irene, Justin, etc. for your willingness to volunteer. Thank you God for helping me minimize my imperfection.

I am Bob. Just Bob.

Chairman Habitaciones Para Latinos Association aka HPLA Charities

We should be looking forward to celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday tomorrow. He would be 93- (1929-2022). Instead we will commemorate his life & legacy with a National Holiday on Monday January 17, 2022. What might be his message to us today? I know it would be very inspirational to many millions of people. But then there would be those who would be upset at the thought of stopping the Nation for one day to honor this gift to America. They would tune out any opportunity to listen to a man speaking of equality and piece.

This week I have heard ideas that good people will never win and set the norm of “Peace”. Why is that you think? One women put it best to me. I could never kill anybody unless they were attempting to kill someone I love. Down side is most peace loving folks don’t have weapons other than those used to live a normal life. Not much of a defense for someone with a fully automatic pistol or rifle. The weapon that killed Dr. King was never sold to kill humans. The manufacturers at the time made weapons for sport or under strict rules and regulations made weapons for the US Military. Those manufactures should not be punished. However, today is a different story.  Secondly the aftermarket options that the weapons manufacturers design approve for distribution and retro fit to their weapons and competitor’s weapons are criminal. This is not a platform for gun control legislation, but instead a prayer that the world population would look around and decide; has peace become a fantasy? A pie in the sky? Does anyone really want it? There is an old saying “I am a lover not a fighter”. What we need is 99.9% of this world’s population to say “ I am a lover not a fighter”.  Secondly, I realize that there are millions of reasons/excuses for maintaining the “status quo”. I see peace loving people not ever willing or able to kill a fellow human being.  While war-mongers want any reason they can find to kill another or something. They may believe that is the only way to be at peace. They may be right. But who are they to decide the fate for those of us who want peace, tranquility and the ability to see the wonders of God’s creations alive and well. Dr. King was a man of peace and a messenger of God. For those of us that live by the rules of the “New Testament’ that follow the life and teaching of Jesus Christ; there is no need for violence. Instead to work toward a long life by serving him and loving one and other. It has become too easy to be vain and not fear the loss of another life or even that of your own. But remember those you love and more important those who love you will be stricken with grief. You are hurting your most precious assets and there is no reason, no excuse you can use to reverse that grief. Ask those closest you. Maybe not just one. But several people. You can always find one person to side with you.

HPLA Charities (Habitaciones Para Latinos Association) cannot bring you peace, but we may be able to eliminate the stress that causes you grief. More importantly you may be helping those who need you the most. Please consider a donation in honor of peace. My you feel that comfort of having stood on the mountain and seen the “Promised Land” and know you are doing everything you can to insure those around will prosper and have peace going forward.

Sincerely, http://www.hplacharities.org/donate

On August 7, 1964, a young man is trapped in a situation of desperation. At 17 years of age and going on 18 it does not take much to make you insecure. There was a military draft in place and another war ongoing. It would only take time before your number rolled around and off you would go to where? Only God would know but the fear of the unknown traumatic.

It had been a routine day, as history records on the island of Oahu early in the morning on December 7, 1941. Our young man trapped in his situation had not even been born. But if anyone of you can imagine the fear of a pending doom you may imagine what you may have felt at 7:55 AM on that December day. The explosions must have rattled every foot of ground on the island. At 8:50 AM the second wave of air attack ensued. Shortly after 9:00 AM, the attack ended. The destruction of airplanes on the ground and the damage to the ships in the water were only overshadowed by the many men and women who ran to their duty stations to do their job and fend off any further assault and were killed.

2300 military personal were killed. Why?

Relationships between countries and the politicians that manage them have always and continue to be the arrogant attitude that if we can’t agree “I can send a vast army against you and defeat you”. And the response, “just try it”. Well, what if you win? What if you send a vast army and win? Who will win? Ask the Mother and Father of the young man or woman who lost their life. Anyone who tells you to die with honor is better than to live with those you love here on earth is a lair.

That young man desperate as to what to do in 1964 joined up rather than to be drafted because there might be a chance to avert going to the front lines where many of the draftees were sent. There was a sense of duty and a love for the country that suggested putting on a uniform. But let us face it. Those who started the fight were not the ones who lost their life. Sadly not many of their loved ones did either. I would like to have time to research and learn how many of the leader’s closest family members were sent to the front lines. “Not Many”

As we remember those 2300 military personal at Pearl Harbor that paid the ultimate price for some as we remember those 2300 military personal at Pearl Harbor that paid the ultimate price for some arrogant politician, friend or foe, to puff up with pride there are 2300 who would have rather lived to be with us, to be with loved ones rather than to die that morning.

As we move on into 2022 and as those arrogant politicians convince you that the your future and your families future is only going to happen if you risk your life. Tell them to go to hell! Tell them to be right at the front line of the breach themselves instead of safely behind in a shielded bunker. Think of your neighbor who will bleed to death in front of you because somebody said all liberals should die or all conservatives need killing. Folks it is time for us to quit fighting so a select few can have all the toys. Quit allowing yourself to be used.

To those precious soles who lost their life due to some arrogant War Lord. I pray that War Lord burns in hell. But to view another human being as your enemy is asinine. It is those who are brain washing you to believe another human being is your enemy that should join them in Hell.

May those 2300 who lost their life at Pearl Harbor all “Rest in Peace”. May God Bless them with the gift of Heaven. May God give them an eternal and beautiful afterlife with loved ones but, I would bet you they would rather have been here on earth with them. Salute!