Robert Pacilio's Blog, page 7

New Year's Wish: Americans Need Four Walls…and a Roof!

$21 million is needed to help the poor citizens of what formerly was Paradise, California. At least that’s the amount estimated by organizations in California. Sounds pretty low, doesn’t it? CAL FIRE estimates 7,500 homes were damaged or destroyed.

If one watches the news, the ‘tent city’ at WalMart looks like an REI covered football field, and after Thanksgiving they were told to move.  This does not include all the businesses destroyed or made bankrupt by what is essentially a modern day ghost town created by a firestorm of epic proportions. 
And that’s just one of the two fires that hit California in November.
Then there is the flooding in central Texas, not to mention the tornadoes. USA Today reports: “Severe storms roared across the Deep South late Wednesday and early Thursday, leaving two people dead and about 100,000 homes and businesses powerless.”
So I keep wondering about what America can do to help with the unfortunate victims of the ‘new normal’ —a continuous, severe climate change?


I know one thing for sure; this nation has the financial resources to put people who are sitting chilled to the bone under a nylon tent in a room; whether it is a hotel, motel or some form of temporary housing. But that is not happening. People’s insurance money is either running out or never was purchased to cover this type of disaster. Extended families are helping if they can.

How do I know we have the funds? Pretty simple. $5 billion for ‘a wall’ is Mr. Trump’s idea of security, and no one seems to doubt the money is there. Democrats have countered with perhaps $1 billion to upgrade border security, but not ‘a wall.’ A billion dollars. Sometimes we forget what that amounts to: 1,000,000,000.
And I ask, isn’t the fundamental to the oath of office many federal government officials take: “to preserve and protect”—not just The Constitution, but the citizens of this nation made homeless through no fault of their own?
Certainly, the individual state’s capacity is limited, and each state has spent millions on fire fighting and flood relief. Fires and floods know no State or County borders. It’s time for the Federal Government to step up. Instead, the Federal Government is shut down. 
The commendable efforts of thousands of breweries who have supported Serra Nevada Beer will
have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, but that is a drop in the barrel, so to speak.
I care so much more about Americans in desperate need, than ‘a wall’ of dubious need.  Putting “America First” means setting priorities to help Americans—especially those who are displaced, deserted, and soon to be forgotten as the New Year approaches.
I do not mean to denigrate the needs of those racing away from the violence south of our border, but let us be sure that our nation, in which they seek asylum, is one that gives hope and security to its own citizens.

THE COAST NEWS SAYS: "PACILIO'S 'MOONLIGHT SHINES'"

ENCINITAS — Forget “Meet Me in St. Louis,” taking center stage is Encinitas’ very own Moonlight Beach in the new novel “Meet Me at Moonlight Beach,” penned by local author Bob Pacilio.

The 62-year-old Brooklyn/New Jersey transplant is a retired teacher who was named the 1998 San Diego County Teacher of the Year and one of San Diego Magazine’s Top 10 Teachers to Watch. “Moonlight” is his fourth book, which took him a little over a year to write. The story came to him in 2015, but the final product took three years to come to life thanks to the help of his tea
What’s it about?


“Meet Me at Moonlight Beach” is set in the 1980s and 1990s and is accurate to the times and the locals with references to the Pannikin, Las Olas and more. It is also self-published, as are Pacilio’s other three novels

In the book, he explores the physical and emotional consequences that come from misfortune and blind faith. This contemporary novel, set in the coastal town of Encinitas, addresses the resilience necessary to face one’s fears, acknowledge the need to change, and embrace love once again. “Meet Me at Moonlight Beach” raises the question of how people can recover when their world suddenly goes dark.“

I decided early on in writing: be real but no gratuitous violence and little coarse language,” Pacilio said. “I figure if John Grisham can do that, so can I! 

No vampires. No graphic sexuality. Just a story with heart and soul. The danger and the passion in my novels are understated.”






Whether you are local to Encinitas or not, Pacilio said many will find “Moonlight” simply a good read. “Encinitas and its surroundings makes for a great backdrop, but it is the issues that the
protagonists deal with that touch most everyone: a lover’s betrayal; the crippling injuries one faces; the loss of one’s sense of vision; the need for love; the desire to overcome anxiety and its partner depression; and perhaps the most important of all, the necessity to find help.“The psychiatrist in the story is an old hand at seeing into people’s fears and his loyalty to his patients is also real. I know. I have been there, done that. I have overcome anxiety myself and it is something that far too many people realize as debilitating. They are embarrassed to seek help. This novel offers hope … as long as the reader will agree to ‘Meet Me at Moonlight Beach,’” he said.Here’s an excerpt from the book to whet your appetite:Noelani Keoka and Lewis Bennett sit next to each other in the waiting room of Dr. Amos Adler, an aging African American psychiatrist, whose unconventional wisdom and loyalty to his patients becomes their life preserver. His two final clients are unaware that they are two of a kind, both trusting souls; blind to the betrayals life delivers in one swift, shattering blow.Noelani, a native Hawaiian aspires to be a professional dancer in Los Angeles, but her future hinges on the power of her legs to propel her and the pressure of men who pursue her. Lewis has a passion for teaching that is threatened by a rare disease and by his wife’s ambition for the finer things in life … ”A resident for several years, Pacilio said: “I wanted to create a novel that echoed the vibe of our friendly, diverse, lovely town, complete with yoga and the beach. Thematically, I wanted it to be a novel about the physical and emotional struggles lovers go through, but how they can heal and find joy and trust in others once again.”
Bob Palicio signs a book for a fan. Photo via FacebookNod to teachingWhile he has also enjoyed a career in writing, it wasn’t until he retired from teaching that writing became a full-time job. When he was recognized for his work as teacher, he said he felt validated.“My parents wanted me to be a lawyer, and ‘make good money,’ he said. “They were products of the Great Depression. After 20 years of teaching and knowing that so many of my former students respected my work, it was gratifying to know that my colleagues also recognized me. Remember, teaching is a very isolating profession; it is you speaking to a jury of 35 and I aimed to win every case. I did … mostly.” Pacilio taught for 32 years at Mt. Carmel High School in a suburb of San Diego and was th-grade American Literature (that class was the basis for his first novel).
the speech and debate advisor for 17 years. He concluded that part of his teaching years by having his students win the state championship. He also taught ninth-grade English and 11“I retired from teaching in 2010, and I began my ‘second act’ as a writer,” he said.  First writings His first two novels are young adult novels about four students and their teacher. The first, “Meetings at the Metaphor Café,” is semi-autobiographical. The second is the sequel, “Midnight Comes to the Metaphor Cafe,” which concluded their high school years. Both are set in an unnamed Southern California town. His first adult novel, “The Restoration” is set in Coronado; moreover, it was based on the actual restoration of the famous Village Movie Theater.“It was my first crossover to contemporary literature/fiction,” he said.Pacilio said the most difficult aspect of being a writer is “never the writing. Never making the time. Perhaps, it is the revisions which can be tedious.”“But by far the biggest difficulty is getting it published, ergo finding an agent. After so many rejections from agents, one of my former students, then working for a company called Create Space (CS), explained how his company offered the best distribution and printing with the most profit for the author.“In addition, CS was purchased by Amazon, which then gave me a platform to sell that was easily reached. The catch — I had to design the interior of the book, as well as the cover. That is where I began forging my team: book designers, photographers, artists, layout design, editors, etc. So, we do the work. Once that is done, the next difficult obstacle is the promotion and sales. Overall, my three books have sold well over 3,200 copies … so far.”Private lifePacilio is married to Pam, a retired teacher, too, and a Vermont native.In his spare time, Pacilio likes “to golf, walk, bike, yoga … repeat.”“Yoga is a key,” he said. “My female heroine, Noelani, finds that yoga saves her both physically and spiritually. I have been practicing yoga for eight years, and many of my teachers contributed to the novel’s accuracy.”He and his wife have two adult children who are “our pride and joy.” Son, Nicholas, works for Twitter in New York in its communications division, and daughter, Anna, is the communications director for U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey (D-Texas).Advice to aspiring writers Pacilio said his advice to future writers or those contemplating taking the plunge: “Don’t
be discouraged. Write what your truth is. Write what you know and what you don’t know, really learn it thoroughly or it will never be real.”Anyone reading this article can contact him, as he coaches other writers who have also been self-published.Finally, he will be speaking and signing “Meet Me at Moonlight Beach” at Coffee and Co. in Carmel Mt. Ranch at Second Chance Brewery from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 9.Pacilio’s books are sold on Amazon in paperback and as a Kindle. They are also sold on his website: www.robertpacilio.net. In addition, the Village Theater’s website on Coronado Island has a link to “The Restoration.”

The Best Films of 2018 from the Metaphor Cafe

Well, it’s that time of year when the English teacher in me, as well as the film fan, feels compelled to communicate my top ten films of 2018. Actually, my wife reminded me these were the only films we have seen this year; so I humbly apologize to all the fim fans of the other pictures like "Roma" or all the other super hero stuff or the dumb rom-coms that just did not make my “go to” list. (I have also learned that INHO means …what it says.)
I do this as a blogging service to all those folks out there who may need a good film to see—one that they may not heard of. So in a kinda general order—here goes.

1. Green Book: I LOVED this film. Two reasons. First, the portrayal of Tony (the Italian driver) is so spot on to my experience with my Italian uncles in Brooklyn that I felt they were reincarnated on the silver screen and packaged in the performance by Viggio Mortenson. Second, the theme and the setting (1962) are so relevant today…even more so than in the Obama presidency. The closeted racism of Obama’s era has turned much more public and this film displays it in all its despicable irony. 
2. Black Panther: Here is the best action/ comic film made to date. Hands down. Undisputed. Terrific story. Important message. Great cast. Thrilling. Saw it twice…just as good the second time. I remember reading somewhere that if you captured a race of people, beat them into submission, took away their language and their identity, and denied them rights for 250 years; they would be viewed as a super race if they could in 70 short years (of turmoil) recover and rise to the stature that African Americans have today—people would say it is impossible. This film give them their due.


3. Mr. Rogers:“Won’t You Be My Neighbor”: Man, what an incredible person Fred Rogers was. What a legacy. He was so far ahead of his time—or perhaps more accurately, he made children become so much more evolved…even than their parents. Whether it was war, death, sexuality, racism…Mr. Rogers lived in a world we can only hope to achieve.

4. RBG:Another documentary and another heroine. One cannot overstate what she did, what she stood for, how hard she worked and what a loving person she is. Her relationship with her husband is the stuff of legends. Should be required viewing in every civics class in America.
5. Colette: Okay first ‘artsy film’— Keira Knightly gives a wonderful performance as a woman who is the real writer of the novels that made her husband famous. The theme is clear and still so relevant today. It is a true story in the truest sense, as today women still stive to receive the pay and recognition they deserve.
6. A Star Is Born:Even as a remake, it soars on the power of Lady Gaga and the grit of Bradley Cooper and Sam Elliot. I could not help but feel this version (and others disagree with me here) could be re-titled “The Price of Fame” because to me (spoiler alert) both pay a price for what they strive for. I felt that that price is so heavy that neither recovers. I wonder if we, the public understand what danger these “stars” are—the list of crippled music stars is long and foreboding: Prince, Tom Petty and all those who have rehabbed their lives in a vicious circle.
7. The Incredibles 2: Best animation of the year. Worth the decade long wait. Great script. Funny. Profound (in terms of parenting). Great voices. Fantastic.

8. The Bookshop: This is the second “artsy film” and likely to have been off your radar. Emily Mortimer (Newsroom) stars as a strong willed widower who is intent on bring a bookshop to her small island port in Wales. It is a period piece with a smattering of WWII truth to it. More importantly, it deals with the power of reading and the need for books! One more wonderful tidbit—Bill Nightly co-stars and is his usual spot on performance. This is a gem. You will have to find it on Netflix.

9. The Old Man and  a Gun: Robert Redford’s (supposedly) finally makes his leading man curtain call, and he does it is such a “Sting-like” manner. He has played the outlaw and he has always charmed audiences with a twinkle in his blue eyes. Here he has a true-ish story and a complex character. He wants to simply prove he can still “have it” i.e. rob and do so in a stylish, rascally, harmless manner. He just mesmerizes an audience.

10. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald: A nod to J K Rowling’s Harry Potter saga. It is powerful and complex. Fantasy at its most prolific and intriguing. One has to be pretty well engaged in Potterville to follow this prequel, or have a daughter who can explain it to you
X-Factor : Mary Poppin’s Returns: I am pretty sure it will be supercalafragalisticxbaladoious.
Honorable Mention goes to a Netflix film of the novel The Guernsey Potato Peel Literary Society. Great book and solid adaptation.

“What Kind of Man Are You, Atticus Finch?”

In 1960, Harper Lee’s antagonist Bob Ewell spat out this question to Atticus Finch once he realizes that Finch believes Tom Robinson’s word—a black man’s—in the case of sexual assault of Ewell’s daughter, Mayella. Aaron Sorkin’s new adaption of To Kill a Mockingbird is now playing (in previews) on Broadway, and my wife and I had the unexpected pleasure to see this work in progress.
And progress is the key to this play because Sorkin has made a decision about what kind of man Atticus Finch will become as the play closes. I don’t intend to put out an explicit spoiler, but suffice it to say, at the play’s finale, Atticus Finch has had enough of the ignorance and vicious nature of some men like Ewell and the twelve white men who sat on the jury in judgment of Tom Robinson and “went along” with the racism and bigotry of the day.


However, the real question Sorkin asks is this: Today, and in the next two years to come, what kind of people are we becoming? Are we people who will acquiesce to the fear stoked by our current president about people from other countries, religions and cultures? Are we the kind of people who think ‘might makes right’? Are we people who feel morally superior to those who are escaping homelands that have become, for reasons beyond their control, failed states? Are we to become isolationists, and have we abandoned the creed that America is the “beacon of hope and freedom”?
Indeed, recent events have shown that our ‘superpower’ status cannot police the world; that we cannot create and maintain new nation/states. Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria are just part of the world order America cannot control militarily. What many of these nations, and others like them, have in common is that they are racked by poverty, climate disaster, corruption, and an insistence on denying human rights, especially to women. The last thing they need are bullets and bombs. Quite the contrary. In Yemen, our weapons are being used by Saudi powers to obliterate innocent civilians and divide a nation. Yemen is a complex power struggle, to say the least.
President Eisenhower questioned our military industrial complex when he noted the danger that war can be oh-so-profitable. Instead of humanitarian actions and open arms to aid the victims of brutal leaders (willing to use their own civilians as human shields), this administration and its defenders have been asking what’s in it for us?  Why should we take “your tired, poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”? The Statue of Liberty’s creed stands in direct contradiction with the chant “Build the Wall!” And the reasons that caravans leave their homes in the Middle East, Central Africa, and Central America are complex: drug kingpins willfully murdering, the inability of the parched soil to grow the crops that once made life plentiful, the sadistic leaders who are willing to kill in the name of their Creator or to maintain power, and a pompous former KGB agent who sees himself as the next Stalin, with his Swiss bank accounts and squads of assassins and hackers.
President Obama fought the good fight. He did as much as possible to deal with these issues of a magnitude not seen since the Great Depression and WWII. He inherited an economy in reckless ruin; an obstinate Senate and a conspiracy ridden, self serving right wing media that painted him as extreme because he had the temerity to insist that all Americans should have health care as a right. Those responsible for 9.11 were caught, imprisoned, and some paid the ultimate price for their murderous deeds. The Dow Jones climbed steadily, and according to Quora: "When Obama left office, Jan 20, 2017, the Dow closed at 19,827. When he entered office, Jan 20, 2009, the Dow closed at 7,949. In other words, in his 8 years in office the Dow went up roughly 250%.” True, the gap between rich and poor, as well as wage growth, remained unacceptable. The effort to make a “more perfect union” needed to continue.
Whether it is President Reagan, Carter, Bush Sr., Clinton, or Bush, Jr. one norm held constant: to build on the work of past presidents and make Americans more secure. Sadly, that changed when this administration took over. “American Carnage” was Trump’s Inaugural anthem: pit us against each other by political party, race, religion, income and country of origin. Why? Because we can’t trust others. The “invaders” will take the jobs (that most Americans have no interest in working); they will demand a vote (and we can’t have the majority decide policy); and why should I have to pay for others’ health via the ACA (when we do anyway in emergency rooms)?
So that brings me back to the question posed: why did Atticus Finch defend Tom Robinson? What could possibly be in it for him and his children? What kind of man was he? In the newest rendition of Sorkin’s Mockingbird, Atticus realizes in the 1930’s the Civil Rights battle is lost, but he says to his daughter Scout, who also questions his defense of Robinson, “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a man’s conscience….Courage is when you know your licked before you begin, but you see it through anyway. Sometimes you win…”. And that same battle to enlighten others toward more rational, less self-serving actions is threatened today. 
One reason why: Donald Trump is no Atticus Finch.

P.T.Barnum was Right...and Trump is the Fraud

This is not my original writing: it was originally reported by the New York Times.I just figured with all that is going on in politics, it is easy to forget ...who the 'bad actors' are. Bob Pacilio Huffington Post: 10/29/2018 Trump Scammed Inexperienced Investors Through Endorsement Deals, Lawsuit Claims The Trump-backed investment “opportunities”were instead “a pattern of racketeering activity.”By Ryan Grenoble“Trump photos and the Trump video featured heavily in every seminar and twice-monthly meetings ― a fixture seemingly designed to ease questions of legitimacy and coax members to continue forking over cash. (For the thousands she put in, by the time the woman quit ACN, she had got back just $38.)
And according to a lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan on Monday, ACN, along with two other Trump-endorsed ‘business opportunities,’ amounted to little more than predatory schemes that deliberatelypreyed on inexperienced, financially distressed investors.The suit, filed on behalf of four people who lost money in the get-rich-quick schemes, seeks class action status on behalf of thousands of similarly treated individuals. 
The lawsuit claims ACN secretly paid Trump millions of dollars for his endorsement(Trump claimed in his ACN promo that his endorsement was ‘not for any money’) in exchange for his falsely portraying ACN and several other schemesas legitimate business opportunities.In addition to ACN, the suit mentions the Trump Network, which peddled bogus “personalized” vitamin regimens, and the Trump Institute, which, like the similarly legally embroiled Trump University, charged attendees as much as $35,000 to attend multiday seminars on Trump’s real estate ‘secrets,’ as examples of other similar schemes. The Trump Institute also reportedly plagiarized some of its course materials and received an F rating from the Better Business Bureau.) 
The suit describes the Trump endorsements together as ‘a pattern of racketeering activity.’Donald Trump, the Trump Organization, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump are listed as co-defendants in the suit.‘The Trumps conned each of these victims into giving up hundreds or thousands of dollars ― losses that many experienced as devastating and life altering,” the suit claims. “Surely the Trumps dismissed these amounts (and the lives they wrecked) as trivial. But by defrauding so many for so long, the Trumps made millions.’”

Bob Pacilio's "Meet Me at Moonlight Beach" book signing NOVEMBER 15th 7-7:30 pm

Gang:

 I will be reading and signing my newest novel on November 15th from 7-7:30 pm at...

 Coffee and Co. 1465 Encinitas Blvd.

 Music, books, coffee, friends, pastry, and guest speakers...more info forthcoming. Looking forward to seeing you.


As you know the novel is available on Amazon, and will soon be a Kindle, as well. Naturally, I have the good fortune to have two of my dear friends Linda Englund and David Fares with me for a reading and as always my fantastic photographer and cover designer Bob Bjorkquist, as well.

I will have some of the three previous novels available, too. 

Here is the excerpt from the back cover:




Noelani Keoka and Lewis Bennett sit next to each other in the waiting room of Dr. Amos Adler, an aging African-American psychiatrist, unaware that they are two of a kind. Both of them are trusting souls, blind to the betrayals life can deliver in one swift blow.

A native Hawaiian, Noelani’s passion is to be a professional dancer in Los Angeles, but all that depends on the strength of her legs. Lewis Bennett is a high school journalism teacher in Encinitas, the coastal town north of San Diego, and his eyes are his guide. What can happen when each of them ignores the warning signs of infidelity?  

This contemporary novel explores the brutal physical and emotional consequences that come from misfortune and blind faith. Meet Me at Moonlight Beach addresses the unseen, the unknown and the reckless behavior that can cripple the innocent, and it raises the question of how people can recover when their world suddenly goes dark. 

Coffee and Co. A locals hangout!The owners (also locals) support the arts, music, authors...and make a great cup of Java. [ Located next to the Brett's BBQ just up from the corner of Encinitas Blvd. and El Camino Real Blvd. 

  

SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS: TIME’S UP

Heaping praise on Senator Collins for her speech to the Senate as being “fair and balanced,” well, I’m sorry because I really wanted to believe that she would not cow to Mitch McConnell’s will.sorry to say it was neither. I say

In her speech, she claimed there was no witness that would testify that the sexual assault of Dr. Ford really happened. Two things to consider: first, Dr. Ford made it clear that she ran out of the house after the attack and told no one for many years. So her friend who was with her would not know. That same friend did NOT deny it did not happen as Kavanaugh said; she simply did not know the sexual assault occurred. Dr. Ford never claimed that she would know. Second, the two boys/men, Brett and Mark Judge certainly were going to deny it. So it became a question of whom do you believe—and that boils down to credibility. That leads us to the FBI “investigation.”
On October 10th Senator Kamala Harris got her chance to ask FBI director Ray about that investigation, and he admitted two startling facts (a) it was limited and (b) the White House gave him the orders to limit it. Why would that be? Ask yourself. If they only interview nine people, and not Ford or Kavanaugh which the FBI admits, who of is left? Who did they interview? Why were 20 others, who directly contacted the FBI with information, get ignored? All good questions. These people went to the media out of frustration. Their stories are recorded , and NONE of it appeared in the FBI report, which has been closeted away so no one can see—TOP SECRET! Why the secrecy? Hmm.And then the fact that only 4% of Kavanaugh's documents were available to the committee.  
However, this is what Senator Collins depends on for her explanation of why Judge Kavanaugh is “innocent.” In other words, Dr. Ford is wrong; she has the wrong man –100% wrong. And Kavanaugh is right—100%. This is despite facts that may or may not be in the FBI report: facts like Dr. Ford’s admission years ago to her husband, and her therapist, that she was sexually assaulted. It’s hard to tell because the FBI did not ask her. Remember, this is not a trial with “due process”—this is an investigation into the qualifications and character of the prospective Supreme Court judge. He has no “protection in a court of law” because this is not a trial in a court. It is a hearing. The presumption of innocence is not applicable—neither is the assumption of guilt. It comes down to who this candidate is…or in this case… was.

Which brings me to the years under question: how did “young” Brett Kavanaugh behave in high school, college, and law school? There were so many people who testified (but not apparently interrogated by the FBI) to Kavanaugh’s drunkenness, belligerence, temper and assaults (remember the bar fight he instigated in the police report?). So that was who he was then. A heavy partier. He drank a lot of beer and whatever else (spiking the punch said witnesses). These things we know, but Collins ignores events because the FBI could not “prove he sexually assaulted” Dr. Ford, a frightened 15 year old girl.
What does Senator Collins have to ignore in order to decide to put Kavanaugh on the highest court in the land? Besides all the ‘character witnesses” like the high school pals, his roommates and friends in college and law school, who have stepped forward to tell the media his behavior was out of control (but again the FBI did not investigate them). Collins has to ignore the poised, credible Dr. Ford, who was willing to admit that some specifics (the house, how she got home mainly) could not be pinpointed or explained. What if she had remembered those facts—would that have mattered? Do you think the parents who lived in the house where the alleged attack occurred would have known what happened? Would the person who took her home have asked her what’s wrong? Why was she crying, perhaps? We won’t ever know, and I don’t think it would have made one iota of difference.

Why? Because the moment Kavanaugh literally screamed his innocence, got choked up, attacked the democrats, said he prayed (with his kids) for Dr. Ford, and reminded the TV audience that he was #1 at Yale (over and over) then he became the victim…and his wife…and his children. Never mind Dr. Ford, and her family. No, you see, she was trapped. If she acted like he did, they could have claimed she was an irrational woman on a vendetta. If she remains poised and rational, then she does not seem angry enough—even if her voice shook as any person would when coming forward with nothing to gain and everything to lose.  And in her own words, her great fear was that the train would run her over and “annihilate” her—just as it did.
Oh, poor Senator Collins faced an angry passel of women shouting for justice. It scared her, naturally. And why were they screaming for justice? Because when you are never believed, over and over again, like Anita Hill, it becomes maddening. So to Senator Collins I say, as respectfully as I can: If you can’t stand the heat then get out of the kitchen.
She has served for 22 of what will be 24 years. Think about that. Is she so gullible to believe that the Trump White House and Don McGann would not do all in their power to “get a win” with a judge who is so conservative that he believes a sitting President cannot be investigated—yet alone indicted (of course, he felt differently when President Clinton was investigated by his team of lawyers headed By Ken Starr)? Why in the world would the administration fight so hard for a judge with several sexual assault charges against him unless they knew when the time comes to hold Trump and his ilk responsible for the potential crimes, fraud, tax evasion, and Russian collusion that they would pardon the whole gang..
I have no problem with Judge Neil Gorsuch, other than the fact that Kavanaugh’s seat should have been his. Why? Because his seat belonged to Judge Merrick Garland. I wonder how he feels? His family…his children? He waited 14 months and never even got a hearing from the Republican controlled Senate because Mitch McConnell put himself and his power hungry party ahead of his Constitutional duty.
I’m sure once Brett Kavanaugh grew past his immature years, whenever that was, that he was a good father, good husband, good judge…good coach. But one thing he never did change about Brett Kavanaugh: he remains a petulant, angry, partisan, entitled man. In other words, as tens of thousands of lawyers and his own law school at Yale agree—he behaved in a manner not befitting a Supreme Court Judge.
But the all the Republicans, except Murkowski, and most notably Senator Susan Collins, and Jeff Flake...Time’s up for them all…and Joe Manchin, too.

MEET ME AT MOONLIGHT BEACH: we are LIVE!!

I just published my newest novel Meet Me at Moonlight Beach in paperback (and in Kindle formats is coming soon), and I will be speaking (and signing) in Rancho Bernardo and Encinitas.  (dates/ times TBA.) My book signings will have music, guest readers, and folksy stories about why I wrote a book set in Encinitas!

On a serious note, Joyce Daubert, who read my first draft, thought this was a book about surviving life's physical and emotional betrayals. As the years went by, the novel morphed into a story about trust and the courage to seek guidance and take action.

Speaking of help, I have had a wonderful team of supporters whom I cannot thank enough. Some, like Bob Bjorkquist, were hands on, and others were part of my cheering section, like Linda Englund. Of course, my wife Pam was the person I counted on when it came to the final finished product. I look forward to seeing you folks in the coming months. I have learned much about writing, but the two most important lessons I learned are to slow down and trust my own voice. 

For folks who cannot make it to a book signing, you can buy directly from me either through my website www.robertpacilio.net or by emailing me at robertpacilio@gmail.com. Payment can be through PayPal or by check.  I will be also accepting credit cards at presentations. The novel costs $15. Of course, you can purchase the book or ebook via Amazon, too. The Kindle will cost $9.99 (Naturally, I earn larger royalties buying direct from me--and I will pay for your shipping.) My mailing address is 446 Countrywood Lane, Encinitas CA 92024. I will be filling book  orders ASAP.

I cannot thank my publishing team enough (Christa Tiernan and Michelle Lovi), as well as all my loyal readers (and former students).

Bob

MEET ME AT MOONLIGHT BEACH: we are a week away from going LIVE

I will be publishing my newest novel Meet Me at Moonlight Beach in paperback and in Kindle formats, and I will be speaking (and signing) in Rancho Bernardo and Encinitas.  (dates/ times TBA.) My book signings will have music, guest readers, and folksy stories about why I wrote a book set in Encinitas !

On a serious note, Joyce Daubert, who read my first draft, thought this was a book about surviving life's physical and emotional betrayals. As the years went by, the novel morphed into a story about trust and the courage to seek guidance and take action.

Speaking of help, I have had a wonderful team of supporters whom I cannot thank enough. Some, like Bob Bjorkquist, were hands on, and others were part of my cheering section, like Linda Englund. Of course, my wife Pam was the person I counted on when it came to the final finished product. I look forward to seeing you folks in the coming months. I have learned much about writing, but the two most important lessons I learned are to slow down and trust my own voice. 

For folks who cannot make it to a book signing, you can buy directly from me either through my website www.robertpacilio.net or by emailing me at robertpacilio@gmail.com. Of course, you can purchase the book or ebook via Amazon, too. (Naturally, I earn larger royalties buying direct from me--and I will pay for your shipping.)

I cannot thank my publishing team enough (Christa Tiernan and Michelle Lovi), as well as all my loyal readers (and former students).

Bob

Bob Pacilio's Metaphor Cafe.blogspot.com: “Living on a Prayer” from Paycheck to Paycheck (wi...

Bob Pacilio's Metaphor Cafe.blogspot.com: “Living on a Prayer” from Paycheck to Paycheck (wi...: In the last few weeks , I have been working on the publication of my newest novel Meet Me at Moonlight Beach ; however, during this...