First, let me say that I love newspapers. I don’t understand why everyone does not subscribe or at least buy a copy daily. I love this forum where anyone can post their thoughts to share them with others. I see this spot mostly empty.

Is that because no one has anything to say? Or is it because people do have thoughts but hesitate to share them, especially now days when so many use threats of violence against anyone they disagree with.

I have been missing from this forum of late. I have things I want to say but when I get to the keyboard, I think “Who really cares? What difference does it make?” And then, out of the blue, someone walks up to me and says they enjoy reading my thoughts. No matter how often that happens, it surprises me.

And it kicks me into action at times. Like now. I do notice that a lot of people seem to agree with me — and my wife, Melissa, who also writes now and then. They just might not be the kind to write or they don’t know how to word their thoughts on paper. Or in the paper, in this case.

In this case, it was a man this last week who told me he read what I wrote and enjoyed it. I know he reads the paper, so he knows who he is and is to “blame” for firing me up again.

I don’t want to “go long” on this, so here are a few things I have had thoughts on and have not mentioned in awhile.

Racism. If you are a racist, you were not born that way and someone helped make you that way. Usually parents, but let’s not forget social media and the lies that are being spewed. People read an outright lie but dressed in its Sunday best to make it seem like a real thing and, most importantly, to stir an emotion inside of you. Like hate.

When that happens the world in general becomes less and, unfortunately, so do you if you repeat that lie.

About three quarters of all people are on the right track. They are, indeed, the silent majority — which brings us back to the top thought. They should be saying the true things, here and everywhere. If not, we will live with racism forever and some will die because of it.

I have more thoughts. I will try to write them down sooner the next time.

God bless Ukraine and its people.