Fire Pit Cell

Part 1 is about their six days in the Amazon in Ecuador.

I’m Jim Verdonik. I wrote Twelve Days That Rocked My World – two articles about his recent trip to South America with his daughter and son-in- law.

Part 2 is about their six nights in Rio de Janeiro at Carnival.

I often try to look at the world through the eyes of the characters in my books. It gives me different perspectives on what I’m experiencing.

Here’s their take on our trip together..

KAITLYN

Being book characters, we don’t get paid much.

But one of our job perks is travel.

Jim likes to travel to exotic places.

We’re in Jim’s head. So, we get to go where he goes. And Jim only pays for one seat for all eleven of us (but don’t tell the airlines). Since we were a crowd, Jim sprung for First Class on the way home. WOW, was that great!

The best part is that Jim is a lot more fun when we’re travelling than when he’s being a lawyer or writer.

Here‘s how we looked at the trip.

OLIVIA

I’ve travelled the world with my mother. Don’t tell anyone, but she’s in the CIA. All I can say is that Mom never partied with me the way Jim partied with his daughter and son-in-law at Carnival in Rio.

We barely slept the whole time. Up late every night.

By the way, I’m the one who put it into Jim’s head to compare Rio to OZ.

Jim usually follows my advice.

The Amazon was the opposite. Up before dawn every day.

You call that a vacation?

SCOTT

The Amazon was the best part. Hiked jungle trails. Caught piranah and then we ate them. Swam with the dolphins. Our guide, Veral, taught us about native medicines. He took them right out of trees we passed. That’s REAL.

Not sure about Carnival in Rio. Complicated. First of all, I date both Kaitlyn and Oliva. Hard enough balancing the two of them without thinking about all the girls I saw on the beach in Rio.

Les of stuff was happening in Rio I didn’t like. Jim helped prepare me for that. On the overnight flight to Rio, we read the Declaration of Independence together. Helped me remember that all these people have a right to Pursue their Happiness their way, even if its not my way.

Jim likes to go native. Wasn’t ready to wear a pink skirt at Carnival like so many guys. But helps to remember that everyone has the right to be silly whenever it strikes them.

Allie

I liked the sexy girl on her motorcycle I met in the favela in Rio.

Got her phone number.

I’ll look her up the next time I roll through Rio.

I’ll have my own bike that trip.

NICOLE

So, did you know Brazil had a lot more more slaves than America and didn’t fully get rid of slavery until 1888 – 23 years after our Civil War. Never knew that.

Lots of handsome black brothers in Rio. Had myself a good time in Rio even though a lot of them are on the down low.

The Amazon? Never understand why white people like to go to jungles and stuff like that. Not for me. I’m a city girl – urban jungles for me.

Oh, almost forgot. I like Jim’s daughter.

Before this trip I thought she’d be a typical spoiled white girl. Surprised me we got along.

MICHELLE

This sums it up. “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.”

Our guide in Ecuador, Avel, told us about indigenous “shamans” and hallucinogenic plants and anacondas playing games with our minds.

I’m totally into alternate realities.

I wasn’t into eating grubs. Yech!

Rio must be where the space aliens colonized our planet. Saw many space aliens during Carnival. That was great.

Didn’t like my girlfriend, Allee, drooling after that biker chick in Vidigal Favela.

Do you think she was jealous of me and our guide because of our night in the jungle?

He got lost. I believe him. Why doesn’t Allie?

LUNA

I’m a refugee from Venezuela.

Spent my first five years in America having people explain what words meant. It was hard.

Really liked helping my friends understand Spanish and Portuguese on our trip.

And my boyfriend, Sheldon, was so cute.

Took good care of me. Ignored all the girls in the beach.

Good husband material. Don’t you think.

GERALD

The Amazon? Jungle? Not so much.

Rio? Another story.

I’m a hospitality major. Do some bartending to pay tuition.

We must have hit every bar in Ipanema.

Learned a lot from the locals.

And a girl in Ipanema taught me why they say “Ahhhh. . . .”

SANJAY

Not my thing.

My family left India to get away from all that.

More comfortable in a computer lab than a jungle.

The Internet is rally bad in the Amazon. Better in Rio.

Not into the bar scene.

Spent my time in Rio watching girls on the Internet.

SHELDON

Luna made the trip amazing.

In the Amazon we hacked into the boat’s satellite phone system.

Had Internet the whole time.

Don’t tell Sanjay though.

In Rio, we went to a robotics exhibition.

How many girls would do that?

I’m so lucky to have her.

Brazil is an up and coming tech power. Who knew?

Best trip of my life.

Political Social Commentary

Why Is the FDA Starving America’s Babies?

Post author By Jimvfree
Post date May 21, 2022
1 Comment on Why Is the FDA Starving America’s Babies?

TEN FIRE PIT CELL STUDENTS

TALK ABOUT

FDA Rules that Forced Closure of America’s Biggest Baby Formula Manufacturer

Buy their book on Amazon in paperback or e-book:

CLICK

https://margaritabiz.com/the-government-doesnt-make-baby-formula/

Here’s a recent Fire Pit Cell conversation.

KAITLYN

Starving babies?

Is this still America?

OLIVIA

My aunt is frantic.

Driving all over town to find baby formula.

Now, baby formula is a national defense crisis.

Seems like everything Biden does is a crisis.

SCOTT

I heard the FDA closed a huge plant, because parents complained four babies got sick.

Four complaints?

And the FDA didn’t even trace the sickness to this manufacturer.

Sounds like CYA by a bureaucrat, who figured one complaint could get him fired, but who thought no one would can complain about closing a plant?

Now, the FDA is loosening restrictions. If the restrictions are so important why loosen them now?

Allie

America has sent billions of tons of food to countries around the world to save starving children.

Time to make America’s babies No. 1 again.

Seriously.

NICOLE

The Government has enough baby formula to feed illegal immigrants.

Time to take care of your homies.

Biden, you owe us.

MICHELLE

OK, I get it, Pete Buttigieg.

No one in the Government really cares about people.

You’re all just doing their Government thing hoping no one will notice the country is falling apart under your leadership.

No ones going to get fired from their cushy Government job.

Its up to us to deal with their consequences.

LUNA

America’s support systems are falling apart.

I won’t count on the Government to save me or my babies.

Its up to me.

GERALD

Me and mine make our own way in life.

Sometimes we win. Sometimes we lose.

Either way, our destiny is in our own hands.

I like that.

SANJAY

Subsistence farming is in your future, if you want you and your children to survive.

SHELDON

The Government has computers that track everything.

That includes baby formula recalls and shutdowns.

Government employees were spending too much time playing computer games and not enough time monitoring the supply chain.

The Fire Pit Cell characters got their name because they solved their problems huddled around a fire pit talking with each other. The warmth of the flames and the light and shadows dancing across ten faces helped them to work out their differences. They continue that tradition, because thar’s what people desperately need today – real conversations with real people, not bots shouting at one another. Not many real people left these days. So, fictional characters took over the conversation.

Shame on all of us for needing fictional characters to remind us that its important to be real. If you start to forget that, let Pinocchio remind you.

Entertainment Political Social Commentary

Comedian: America’s Most Dangerous Job

Post author By Jimvfree
Post date May 16, 2022
1 Comment on Comedian: America’s Most Dangerous Job

TEN FIRE PIT CELL STUDENTS

TALK ABOUT

Comedian: America’s Most Dangerous Job

Buy their book on Amazon in paperback or e-book:

CLICK

Comedians are being assaulted in stage.

They stopped playing at colleges long ago. Too dangerous.

Now, they’re being assaulted on TV and in theaters in front of thousands.

Free Speech hasn’t been this dangerous since the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th and 16th Centuries.

Here’s a recent Fire Pit Cell conversation about the persecution of Comedians.

KAITLYN

I don’t get it.

When did Americans lose their sense of humor?

We still had it when I was born.

I remember people laughing.

I know that sounds un-American now. We’ve all supposed to be committed social activists.

But I clearly remember people laughing when I was growing up.

When did we lose it?

How did it happen?

How do we get it back?

OLIVIA

College campuses are getting to be as bad as churches in censoring speech.

Most Comedians stopped touring campuses years ago.

That’s a shame because churches and colleges have different missions.

Most Churches try to teach the one true faith. Everyone sings the same hymns. Everyone’s part of a like minded community that have the same values.

Colleges are supposed to open minds encourage debate and accommodate people with different values.

Our society needs both.

SCOTT

Censorship of comedians has always been with us.

In the olden days, the Government tried to do it directly.

Now, its ideological groups that show up to interfere with performances and phyically intimidate people.

My Mom showed me this clip of how a comedian named George Carlin protested censorship before I was born.

Just Imagine back when there were only seven words we couldn’t say. Now, some group somewhere will get offended by thousands of words.

Allie

I know where Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock can hire guards.

Make the guards parts of their acts.

Now, that would be funny.

NICOLE

Go ahead, make me laugh.

I dare you.

MICHELLE

Laughing is a survival skill.

Protect the people who help us all survive.

Seriously.

LUNA

You know, comedy isn’t just a black thing or Anglo thing.

We all need to protect comedians.

GERALD

Comedians are the point of Freedom’s spear.

They need the rest us to support them.

Time to do our part.

If we don’t, laughing at the “wrong” thing will become a crime.

Then, they’ll come and get you too.

SANJAY

People in India work hard so we can afford to be offended.

We’ll catch up to the West someday.

SHELDON

Here’s why I like people who make fun of me.

It males me stronger.

The Fire Pit Cell characters got their name because they solved their problems huddled around a fire pit talking with each other. The warmth of the flames and the light and shadows dancing across ten faces helped them to work out their differences. They continue that tradition, because thar’s what people desperately need today – real conversations with real people, not bots shouting at one another. Not many real people left these days. So, fictional characters took over the conversation.

Shame on all of us for needing fictional characters to remind us that its important to be real. If you start to forget that, let Pinocchio remind you.

Entertainment Political Social Commentary

Why are America’s Elites Wearing Hunger Games Fashions?

Post author By Jimvfree
Post date May 5, 2022
No Comments on Why are America’s Elites Wearing Hunger Games Fashions?

TEN FIRE PIT CELL STUDENTS

TALK ABOUT

Why are America’s Elites Wearing Hunger Games Fashions?

Buy their book on Amazon in paperback or e-book:

CLICK

In May of each year, America’s elites gather for a Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to celebrate how beautiful and superior they all are. Some call it the East Coast Academy Awards. That should tip you off about the caliber of the people who attend.

The primary activity at this Gala seems to be walking up the museum steps without tripping. Not all attendees achieve this difficult task.

Being invited proves you are beautiful and superior.

Lets take a good look at these beautiful superior people.

Here’s a recent Fire Pit Cell conversation.

KAITLYN

I thought I was watching a new episode of the Hunger Games. You know, the movie about the beautiful rulers in the Capital parading around in outlandish costumes while the poor people in the ten districts went cold and hungry.

Compare the movie costumes to what passes for reality in modern America.

Don’t these elites know how silly they look to the rest of us?

OLIVIA

Kaitlyn, I like nice clothes as much as the next girl, but here’s Hillary Clinton impersonating Scarlet O’Hara’s grandmother.

Her outfit comes complete with her own personal slave tending to her hems.

And to think I campaigned for Hillary for President!

SCOTT

Sorry girls, leave me out of this.

It’s not a guy thing.

Allie

Don’t be so smug, Scott.

Some guys are just as into showing off as girls.

Here’s the Mayor of New York City.

He was elected after campaigning as a crime fighter.

I’m sure he’s scaring all the criminals in New York with his cutesy anti-gun outfit.

Normally, I wouldn’t say that guys wear “outfits,” but they all do at this Gala.

Take a look at the Mayor and let me know whether you agree.

NICOLE

Normally I defend black guys, but that was over the top fashionista.

Don’t ever want to see that again.

Mr. Mayor, man up if you want to face down the gangsta guys.

MICHELLE

I like costumes.

My friends tell me that my closet looks like a Halloween store.

So, here’s my favorite outfit from Hunger Games.

Guess it was too hot for the New York Met Gala.

Might have burned a Billion $$$ painting or something.

LUNA

I don’t know.

I kinda like rich people making fools of themselves.

Whenever I hear one of these people telling me how I should run my life, I just imagine them wearing one of these crazy outfits.

Then, instead of getting mad, I laugh at them.

GERALD

You rich folks better listen up.

Stop playing around.

Both the men and the women are dressing like drag queens.

What’s wrong with you people?

SANJAY

I’m a traditionalist.

Women from my home country know how to dress.

SHELDON

Here’s what they’re wearing in Ukraine these days.

You tell me which country is real and which is fake.

The Fire Pit Cell characters got their name because they solved their problems huddled around a fire pit talking with each other. The warmth of the flames and the light and shadows dancing across ten faces helped them to work out their differences. They continue that tradition, because thar’s what people desperately need today – real conversations with real people, not bots shouting at one another. Not many real people left these days. So, fictional characters took over the conversation.

Shame on all of us for needing fictional characters to remind us that its important to be real. If you start to forget that, let Pinocchio remind you.

International Political Social Commentary

Dr Strangelove: Will Two Demented Presidents Lead Russia and America to Nuclear War?

Post author By Jimvfree
Post date May 2, 2022
No Comments on Dr Strangelove: Will Two Demented Presidents Lead Russia and America to Nuclear War?

TEN FIRE PIT CELL STUDENTS

TALK ABOUT

Doctor Strangelove: Will Two Demented Presidents Lead Russia and America to Nuclear War?

Buy their book on Amazon in paperback or e-book:

CLICK

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18402141/vladimir-putin-parkinsons-paranoia-traitors-insane/

The Fire Pit Cell characters got their name because they solved their problems huddled around a fire pit talking with each other. The warmth of the flames and the light and shadows dancing across ten faces helped them to work out their differences. They continue that tradition, because thar’s what people desperately need today – real conversations with real people, not bots shouting at one another. Not many real people left these days. So, fictional characters took over the conversation.

Shame on all of us for needing fictional characters to remind us that its important to be real. If you start to forget that, let Pinocchio remind you.

Here’s a recent Fire Pit Cell conversation.

KAITLYN

Dr. Strangelove?

Never heard of it until someone sent me a link.

Then, I watched it.

OMG, so scary!

Putin and Biden, two demented old white guys, have their shaky hands on the nuclear buttons?

OLIVIA

I don’t want to be an alarmist, but here’s a report from a former Russian KGB agent about Putin’s mental health or lack of it.

SCOTT

We know Biden has lost touch with reality.

I guess in the last election American voters were depending the leaders of other nuclear powers to be sane.

What if the other side is as demented as Biden?

Allie

Who would have ever thought that Kim Jong-un might be the sanest guy with hands on the nuclear buttons?

NICOLE

Totally sick white and Asian dudes.

And you think black people are violent?

Gimme a break.

MICHELLE

Do you think the Easter Bunny can keep Biden away from the Nukes?

Is that his main job at the White House?

Let’s say a prayer for the Easter Bunny.

LUNA

My parents thought I’d be safer coming to America.

But no one is going to nuke South America.

GERALD

Hey man!

This is serous stuff.

Somebody should lock up Putin and Biden.

Is that what the UN is for?

Nah, all they do is talk.

SANJAY

After I die, I’ll be reincarnated.

Sounds pretty good now, doesn’t it?

SHELDON

Oh, oh!

That was depressing.

Time for me to restore people’s confidence in our leaders.

I have complete faith in our leaders.

Let’s watch them in action.

Entertainment Political Social Commentary Uncategorized

Why is the Media Obsessed with Stories about the Media?

Post author By Jimvfree
Post date May 2, 2022
No Comments on Why is the Media Obsessed with Stories about the Media?

TEN FIRE PIT CELL STUDENTS

TALK ABOUT

Why is the Media Obsessed with Stories about the Media?

Buy their book on Amazon in paperback or e-book:

CLICK

https://dnyuz.com/2022/04/30/how-tucker-carlson-stoked-white-fear-to-conquer-cable/

The Fire Pit Cell characters got their name because they solved their problems huddled around a fire pit talking with each other. The warmth of the flames and the light and shadows dancing across ten faces helped them to work out their differences. They continue that tradition, because thar’s what people desperately need today – real conversations with real people, not bots shouting at one another. Not many real people left these days. So, fictional characters took over the conversation.

Shame on all of us for needing fictional characters to remind us that its important to be real. If you start to forget that, let Pinocchio remind you.

Here’s a recent Fire Pit Cell conversation.

KAITLYN

Have you noticed that the Media is obsessed with stories bout the Media?

First Twitter.

Now, Tucker Carlson.

What’s next?

OLIVIA

I opened my New York Times this Sunday to find that more than 25% of the hard new section was devoted to a story complaining that people like to watch Tucker Carlson on Fox News.

The story started o Page 1 and then took up seven more whole pages.

This at a time of war in Ukraine, inflation and other important matters.

Whatever happened to reporting the news?

SCOTT

Several years ago, The New York Tomes started pushing the 1619 Project, a theory that everything in America is racist. Now they’re complaining that someone who opposes their pet project is popular .

Allie

Tucker Carlson’s popularity just illustrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

The New York Times should have know that.

NICOLE

Slavery is an important part of American history. We shouldn’t sweep it under the rug.

But if your point is that the media is full of narcissists, I agree.

Why are we listening to these people?

MICHELLE

So, now respected newspapers like the New York Times are getting down in the gutter with social media.

LUNA

My mother always told me that one bad apple spoils the barrel.

She wasn’t an apple farmer, but she warned me its the same with people.

Negative people create more negative people.

So, it makes sense that negativity in our media produces more media negativity.

GERALD

The Media is just another form of Hollywood.

Journalists crave attention as much as movie starlets.

I give them the same weight.

SANJAY

Tabloid journalism isn’t just an American thing.

Shame on us if we let these people shape our opinions and actions.

SHELDON

I like this summary of journalism.

International Political Social Commentary

Zalensky vs Putin: Ammunition, Not A Ride

Post author By Jimvfree
Post date April 28, 2022
No Comments on Zalensky vs Putin: Ammunition, Not A Ride

TEN FIRE PIT CELL STUDENTS

TALK ABOUT

Zalensky vs Putin: Ammunition, Not a Ride

Buy their book on Amazon in paperback or e-book:

CLICK

The Fire Pit Cell characters got their name because they solved their problems huddled around a fire pit talking with each other. The warmth of the flames and the light and shadows dancing across ten faces helped them to work out their differences. They continue that tradition, because thar’s what people desperately need today – real conversations with real people, not bots shouting at one another. Not many real people left these days. So, fictional characters took over the conversation.

Shame on all of us for needing fictional characters to remind us that its important to be real. If you start to forget that, let Pinocchio remind you.

Here’s a recent Fire Pit Cell conversation.

KAITLYN

Who knew Ukraine has the coolest President?

Who even knew were Ukraine was?Now, we all know.Zalensky is like Davey Crocket at the Alamo.

Putin looks constipated. You know, people get cranky when they can’t go. Do you think putting Putin on a high fiber diet could stop this war?

OLIVIA

Nothing funny about this war, but I met President Zalensky when he was a comedian.

He’s strong. He also loves his people. He’ll never forgive Putin. Years after the fighting is over, Zalensky will exact his revenge.

SCOTT

Zalensky manned up. I like that. Glad he didn’t get on the plane Biden offered him.

My question is: Why did Brandon tell Zalensky to leave Ukraine?

Seems like that was what Putin wanted

Why did Brandon do it?

Who told him to do it?

Was it one of Brandon’s puppeteers? ]

Allie

If Brandon offered you a ride, would you take it?

After Afghanistan, Brandon can’t give rides away.

Zalensky wasn’t going to fall for that trick.

NICOLE

Putin is one really sick white dude.

Send Zalensky guns and ammo, but black people don’t need to be fighting and dying in a Ukraine war.

We have enough problems.

MICHELLE

Zalensky was an actor comedian. It takes guts to be an actor.

Even more guts to be a comedian.

I know what it’s like to be living and dying in front of an audience.

Zalensky has more guts than Putin.

By the way, notice how fat Putin is getting?

Putin is beginning to look like the puffy Marshmallow in Ghost Busters.

LUNA

I was born in Venezuela. It’s run by a barbarian like Putin.

I cried myself to sleep most nights when I lived there.

Ukrainian children are crying every night now.

GERALD

Ukraine needs more offense.

Do something to hit Moscow.

Remind the Russians that suffering is a two-way street.

If you don’t, Putin will just keep pounding away.

Anyway, that’s what I’d do if I was Zalensky. Going on offense works in my neighborhood.

SANJAY

Putin has a much bigger problem than Zalensky.

China is seeing how weak Russia’s military is now.

China has the most people. Russia has the most empty land.

China needs land and resources.

Sure, China is helping Russia now, but maybe they’re just giving Putin enough rope to hang himself.

SHELDON

So, what’s with Germany?

Feeding the enemy buying stuff from Putin?

WHY????

Sounds crazy to me. I’ve never really understood the Germans.

Business and Law Political Social Commentary

Elon Musk Buys Twitter – Twitter Staff Panic Attack

Post author By Jimvfree
Post date April 26, 2022
No Comments on Elon Musk Buys Twitter – Twitter Staff Panic Attack

TEN FIRE PIT CELL STUDENTS

TALK ABOUT

Elon Musk Buys Twitter -Twitter Staff Panic Attack

Buy their book on Amazon in paperback or e-book:

CLICK

https://wraltechwire.com/2022/04/14/is-twitter-being-cancelled-or-freed-lets-analyze-elon-musks-strategy/

What Putin failed to do in Ukraine, Musk did with Twitter: A lightning-fast knockout

This rticle by Jim Verdonik first appeared on WRAL Techwire on April 26, 2022

RALEIGH – Elon Musk moves fast. More like his space rockets than his cars.

What Putin failed to do in Ukraine, Musk accomplished with Twitter – a lightning-fast knockout.

It didn’t take long. Did it?

April 4th – Musk ownership of 9.2% of Twitter becomes public
April 5th – Twitter announces offer to have Musk join Twitter Board of Directors
April 10th – Musk rejects Twitter Board seat
April 14th – Musk makes $43 Billion cash buyout offer
April 15th- Twitter Board rejects buyout offer
April 15th – Twitter Board announces Poison Pill Plan to ward off Musk
April 21st – Musk announces he has raised the money to buy Twitter
April 25th- Twitter and Musk announce buyout offer acceptance

Faster than Julius Caesar conquering Gaul, Musk came. He saw. He conquered.

Of course, none of this was a surprise to readers of WRAL TechWire.

It was clear from the start that Musk had Twitter backed into a corner and it couldn’t escape. See my prior three articles.

Why Twitter was the Target:

Free Speech Implications:

https://wraltechwire.com/2022/04/15/free-speech-is-at-stake-twitter-big-tech-big-media-vs-elon-musk-and-you/

Why Twitter’s Poison Pill Would Not Work

https://wraltechwire.com/2022/04/18/whats-with-twitter-social-giant-poisons-self-with-a-pill-in-fight-with-elon-musk/

I must admit it. I really love being right, especially when it comes to Free Speech.

Thanks Elon!

One might be tempted to celebrate a victory for Free Speech, but Free Speech is always in danger from Government bureaucrats and their allies. Freedom is just too messy for our elites who know what’s best for everyone. I wish I was so smart.

A case in point is the European Union’s recent announcement that it s cracking down further on Free Speech. See WRAL Techwire article.

https://wraltechwire.com/2022/04/25/european-union-takes-on-big-tech-with-new-law-cracking-down-on-content/

Of course, Free Speech has never been very popular in Europe. It’s kind of an American thing.

One of many reasons my grandparents left Europe.

Here’s a recent Fire Pit Cell conversation.

KAITLYN

Nice articles Jim. You nailed that one.

I’m confused about one thing.

I heard an African-American just bought Twitter and all the Twitter employees are upset.

I thought African-American progress was a good thing.

What am I missing?

OLIVIA

Kaitlyn, what am I going to do with you.

You’re a good friend, but sometimes I wonder how you get by in our world.

Elon Musk is a white guy from Africa.

He’s not black.

People like him getting ahead doesn’t count as progress.

There is another bigger paradox. Elon musk owns the biggest environmentally friendly company in the world. He started the electric car industry. He doesn’t get much credit from Twitter employees for that either.

They do seem to be a pretty picky bunch over at Twitter.

SCOTT

Olivia, thanks for setting Kaitlyn straight. She does tend to take thing literally.

The stories I could tell you. No, I probably shouldn’t tell those stories.

Let’s just say that Freedom has had a great week.

First the Mask Mandate on planes was lifted.

Now Free Speech is making a comeback.

I’m down with that.

Allie

So, does this mean I can say anything I want on Twitter now?

They blocked my account for talking about crimes against Asians.

All I said was that it wasn’t white people who were beating up Asians on the streets.

NICOLE

I have one thing to say to Twitter.

Stop protecting me from “hate speech.”

I can take care of myself.

Put hate speech in the dark and it will grow like mold and change from speech to action.

The only thing racists have going for them is the perception they are being censored.

Take that away and people will see how pathetic they are.

Sunlight will kill the mold.

Lets destroy some hate.

MICHELLE

I tried Twitter.

Was interesting for awhile.

Then, I got bored.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n_cPIhag28

What I find amusing is that people who call themselves journalists rely on Twitter for stories.

That’s just lazy.

Get out of your pajamas and go out into the world to investigate real stories.

LUNA

Twitter’s kind of an old people’s thing.

It’ll die soon.

I like dealing with people face to face.

I think that’ll be the next new thing.

My parents told me about the days before the Internet.

It sounded pretty cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66cD5En8Vfg

GERALD

Twitter?

Get real.

I’m busy trying to make a living.

Who’s got time for stuff like that?

I’ll tell you who has time – college professors, unemployed actresses and Bots.

Twitter isn’t the real world. And Musk can’t make it real. Its just a toy for self-obsessed people.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kS-E6VtD_rE

SANJAY

I’ve heard lots of Twitter employees will be quitting.

That’s an opportunity for me.

I’d like to write a Free Speech algorithm.

Then, I’d be a lot like Thomas Jefferson.

Want to help Sheldon?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwPrauTvaGs

SHELDON

If we work for Twitter, will we get discount rides to Mars?

Political Social Commentary Sports

TRANS SPORTS

TEN FIRE PIT CELL STUDENTS

TALK ABOUT

Trans Gender People in Sports

Buy their book on Amazon in paperback or e-book:

CLICK

The Fire Pit Cell characters got their name because they solved their problems huddled around a fire pit talking with each other. The warmth of the flames and the light and shadows dancing across ten faces helped them to work out their differences. They continue that tradition, because thar’s what people desperately need today – real conversations with real people, not bots shouting at one another. Not many real people left these days. So, fictional characters took over the conversation.

Shame on all of us for needing fictional characters to remind us that its important to be real. If you start to forget that, let Pinocchio remind you.

Here’s a recent Fire Pit Cell conversation.

KAITLYN

Am I missing something about this Lea Thomas thing with the U Penn college swim team?

Who even knew Ivy League colleges play sports?

It’s the best kept secret in America, right?

So, its not like Lea Thomas transferred from a real men’s college team.

I think its cute the Ivies try to play sports.

Trans People in women’s sports?

Aren’t I allowed not to have an opinion?

I just totally dissed Harvard, Yale and the other elite schools. That was pretty gutsy, right?

Isn’t not having an opinion one of our basic Freedoms?

OLIVIA

I usually root for the people who become the first to break through glass ceilings, but Trans people in women’s sports is a difficult issue for me.

Why you ask?

I trust biology. Its a real science. I have less faith in psychology, which seems to involve a lot of subjective opinion and theory no one can prove.

And I feel for the girls who lose to men even though I know the Trans people are in pain too.

I guess what it comes down to is the importance of Freedom.

It’s easy to fight for our own Freedom or even the Freedom of people we agree with.

But Freedom includes people we don’t agree with. So, I guess I support Trans people in women’s sports even though I don’t like it.

Probably everyone on all sides will hate me for saying that, but that’s my opinion.

SCOTT

To be honest, I don’t watch women sports, except gymnastics in the Olympics.

So, I don’t really care much whether Trans people compete in women’s sports, but a lot of people seem to care about it.

As a college Lacrosse athlete myself, I know I won’t get a big pro contract. 99% of guys know we aren’t going to become big time athletes. We don’t all do what we do to win gold medals. We compete for other reasons. We test ourselves. We bond as a team. We show off our manhood to attract girls. That’s it. Its simplicity is one of the best things in my life. I don’t like complicated. I’ll have that positive experience long after trophies and medals mean anything.

Trans athletes who win medals can’t take that positive experience away from women athletes who value the same things I value.

Personally, getting beat by someone bigger, stronger, faster isn’t such a big deal to me, if I did my best, but I hate getting beat when I didn’t do my best.

I think there was a team breakdown with this Lea Thomas swim team thing. I mean what’s so unusual is that her teammates seem to be the most adamant against her. Usually teams bond together. Why didn’t this team bond together?

Seems like that’s the big story that isn’t being told here.

Allie

Girls, I’m 5′ 3″ 100 pounds.

I’m never going to play pro basketball or football.

Doesn’t matter whether its for a men’s or women’s team.

Its not going to happen.

Is that fair?

But I’m tough. I don’t need medals to prove it. Neither do you.

So, what does it matter if a few biological males win a few medals?

Not every boy is bigger, faster, stronger than every girl.

So, where you start from really doesn’t matter. It’s where you end up that counts.

We can hold our own. Let’s have faith in ourselves.

Its kind of flattering they want to imitate us.

Yes, I know they don’t think of it as imitating.

That’s the main thing I don’t like about Trans activists. They play a lot of word games. I don’t like people dictating to me what I can say and not say. Other than that, I’m neutral about Trans, but I’m high on women.

NICOLE

Over 500 male swimmers in the country were ranked higher than William Thomas when he was competing on a men’s team.

Now, Lea Thomas is the most famous swimmer, man or woman.

I think what ticks off so many women is that Lea Thomas reminds everyone that so many men are so much faster than the best women swimmers. Reality has a bitter taste.

Now, back to Lea. No one even knows the names of any other swimmer, man or woman. That’s a big jump in prestige.

Girl, I hope that’s not why you did it. 15 minutes of fame isn’t worth all the hassle you’ll be going through the rest of your life.

It would have been much easier for you to just quietly drop out of the male world and make your switch privately.

Were you trying to make a public statement about being Trans?

I think that’s a big part of why people are upset.

I get it, because I make statements. Sometimes, I get in people’s faces on purpose. But I’m willing to accept the consequences. So, I don’t want to see you on TV crying to some reporter about how people have been mean to you.

You chose your path.

Suck it up girl and you’ll have my respect.

MICHELLE

I think Scott and Nicole are onto something.

Why the lack of team support?

If I were a Trans Woman, I’d want to fit in with my peers. Other women. I wonder whether she tried being one of the girls and was rejected or whether she just came is as a Trans Activist trying to change her new team to make a point?

Maybe Lea Thomas just didn’t understand the social rules girls live by. She’s a new girl. She may have made some rookie social mistakes. If you’re going to join a new club, study the rules. Work your way up the ladder gradually.

If you’re going to live as a woman the rest of your life, I hope you’ve learned some lessons about how women get along with one another. We’re a lot more complicated than the guys are.

Forget about the medals. I think the important question for Lea is: Do you want to be a Trans Activist your whole life? Or do you want to be accepted by women as a sister? That’s up to you. But trust me, you have to earn your way into the sisterhood and you won’t do that by showing up your sisters.

LUNA

I love being an American, but sometimes this country is totally crazy.

Girls becoming boys? Boys becoming girls?

I just don’t understand it.

Do Americans understand it?

I think a lot of people are troubled. Have lost their way.

I’ll pray for them.

GERALD

Lea, you jumped into a real mess.

Don’t know why. Don’t care.

Here’s some advice though.

Don’t be walking around the girl’s locker room with your junk hanging out. Biology is a real thing. Not cool, man!

Aside from that, ignore the other girls. It’s too late to make them your friends. People have chosen sides.

Just swim as fast as you can. It’s just you against the clock.

That’s all swimming is. You against the clock.

That’s why swimming so boring and no one cares about it.

SANJAY

Hindus believe we are reborn many times. We don’t get just one chance at life. Our ancient religious books also talk of transgender people with respect.

I think these ancient books show that transgenderism has been a part of human cultures for a very long time and is not just a recent phenomenon.

But a person must live according to the rules of their caste if they are to rise to a higher caste in their next life. Technology like hormones and surgery have allowed some Trans people to evade the rules of the biological caste they were born in. Will that interrupt their self perfection spiritual journey? I don’t know.

SHELDON

I like Battle Bots.

Robots make the genders equal.

Girl mechanics? Boy mechanics? Trans mechanics? The Bots don’t care.

Jocks of all sexes and genders be warned. You’re being replaced.

So, stop fighting and enjoy your last few moments of relevance.

Bot swimmers are coming to break Lea’s record!