Today
I turn 69.
I have nothing planned to mark the day.
When I retired five years ago
people asked me, “How will you fill your days
when you have nothing else planned?”
A problem solved.
Trump.
Fighting pension theft.
I walk the dog.
All that keeps me busy enough.
“But Trump’s a distraction,” people tell me.
From what?
I have nothing else planned.
Except to walk the dog.
The truth is I had nothing else planned when I was 18
either.
Or when I was 24.
Or 35.
Or 50.
Something always managed to turn up.
An injustice.
A war.
A picket line.
A strike.
True.
Some required planning.
Others?
Often shit just happens.
Some things are distractions.
Unexpectedly,
some things become sparks that start a fire
when nothing else was planned.
Before I retired we had a dog walker.
That is my job now.
I plan for it every morning at around 10:30.
Next year I will turn 70.
And so far I have nothing else planned.
Fred Klonsky 
Happy Birthday!
Congratulations. Same here, stuff pops up: http://wfpl.org/teachers-continue-lawsuit-state-underfunded-pensions/
Teachers Continue Lawsuit Against State For Underfunded … wfpl.org As Gov. Matt Bevin mulls whether to call a special session to deal with the state’s ailing pension system and tax structure, a class action lawsuit brought against …
As we wait to see if Gov. Bevin keeps his word about a special session.
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Randy–sorry to hear the Kentucky gov. is giving you grief RE: your pensions, & good for your efforts to stop this. As usual, “not paying pension” fever is sweeping the country. Louisiana just finished their G.A. session without passing a budget (HUGE mess left by “Bobby” {not his real name}Big Head {inflated ego–ran for prez. on a piss-poor record–wouldn’t expand Medicaid in LA just because of his opposition to Obama–so, of course, SO many people suffered} Jindal. Dem. Gov. John Bel Edwards trying to fix, but they’re in deep down there.)
I remember ILL-Annoy getting on the “no pension for you!” bandwagon after now-Gov. Gina Raimondo (Rhode Island; remember Central Falls?) was invited here by a right-wing financial “watch” group–one of the legislators here who attended her luncheon was a leader in pushing revocation of our pensions & the subsequent passage of the bill that would seal the deal (although it didn’t, as the bill was declared unconstitutional & struck down by the court).
Best of luck to you in your lawsuit.
Happy birthday. Thanks for your passion for youngsters, families, educators and justice.
Did you know Donald Trump is also celebrating his birthday TODAY?
You are young: he is 71.
Fred, I hope that is all you and Trump have in common. Happy Birthday, young man. Keep it coming. I enjoy immensely.
Enjoy your day and thanks for your time and attention. You’re very much appreciated.
Happy Birthday!!!
Keep walking toward freedom.
Love you, Brother.
Bill
Happy birthday, Fred! Best wishes & many thanks for the constant & much-needed information via your blog & “Hitting Left.” Not to be punny (oh, well, why not?!), but you cover a LOT of bases, enabling us to always be in the know.
&–yeah, we all know–you share a birthday w/the prez.
But–it’s also Flag Day.
Wishing you many more happy & healthy birthdays!
I’m constantly amazed that I had time to work given all the things I do now!
Happy Birthday Fred. You’re a true inspiration in keeping up the good fight.
Happy (belated) Birthday, Fred! I beat you by two years and a week. I beat the current “occupant of the White House” by exactly one week. That’s much too close for comfort. I’m petitioning the court for a change of birthday to one in December, far enough from his. Wish you the best, Karl
Cavanaugh-M promises an updated report according to the REAL GASB 67 and 68 accounting standards – in the near future. WHY waste a boatload of money on a study (this one) that is, in effect, a lie, a second set of books? SEE page 15 about the future report.
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