Condolezza Rice is a brilliant person. That is one reason why the Democrats despise her. The other reason is that she is black. She has left the plantation and is a runaway slave. Blacks are not allowed to espouse any views other than those specified by their masters; in the US this means if they don’t vote Democrat they are by definition insane. Of course the Democrats have not fulfilled their promises to those Americans of African heritage, but that doesn’t matter only what the master says counts.
So the Al Frankenheimers and Howard Deans of the world attack and disparage her and others who might strike out on their own. The deem them traitors to their race, of course most of the power in the Democrat party is held by whites and mostly white men. Is anything wrong with this picture? Blacks are in trouble in their own party now that Hispanics are becoming the largest minority group in the United States.
The Democrats will continue to take blacks for granted and concentrate on the newest group of entitlement seekers. The Republicans are too cowardly to go after the Democrats on this or, apparently, any other issue. How the Republicans attracted Condolezza is a mystery as she is a strong, astute person who is of great value to the United States.
Recently the Democrats gave Geena Davis an award for portraying a character on television: the first woman president. During the ceremony they bemoaned the fact that the US has not elected a woman as president. The comments ranged from no woman has been given a chance, it’s time for a woman president, etc. Are these people stupid? If the Democrats believe what they are saying why don’t they nominate a woman for president? If the Republicans nominate a woman for president will the Democrats vote for her on the simple basis that it is time for a woman president?
Condolezza Rice would probably make a good president, but she most likely will not run. If she did run as a Republican that would be a major step in the rebellion of political slaves against their masters.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Monday, May 08, 2006
Conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theories and the theorists are boring. If often seems that there is a malicious edge to such things as much as there is an obvious desire to change history to meet the needs of the conspiracy nut. There are conspiracies, but they don’t remain secret for very long because human beings are involved. Ben Franklin once said that two people can keep a secret; if one of them is dead. Conspiracy theories evolve from false premises and follow the inevitable false logic derived therefrom.
Did the CIA and the Mafia kill President Kennedy? Did Franklin Roosevelt ignore warnings and even secretly provoke the Japanese to bomb Pearl Harbor? Is the Holocaust a figment of Dwight Eisenhower’s imagination (along with about 20,000 GI’s)? Did 9/11 serve the purpose of George Bush? Let’s take a look at the last and probably nuttiest theory.
George Bush is constantly derided as an imbecile, a hopeless moron basically unable to tie his own shoes. This type of rant is heard constantly especially from Democrats and Hollywood Brainiacs. So let’s ask the question “If George is so stupid how did he fool so many people?” the answer is simple, first of all he is smarter than most of his critics and he didn’t have to fool anyone; the Saudi’s attacked the United States on 9/11/2001. If there is a valid theory of conspiracy it begins after the attack not before.
It is a conspiracy of silence not commission. The planes that hit the pentagon, the world trade center, and the ground in Pennsylvania were not under the control of the US. In fact they really did exist, it is possible to make a cell phone call from 30,000 feet or more, the 18,000 degree fire did collapse the building, it came down as it went up floor by floor, the so-called secondary explosions were the plastic and metal contents of the offices exploding when seared.
The real conspiracy is the question of why the US and Saudi Arabia are still friends. Why didn’t we retaliate against them instead of Afghanistan? It is certain that the Pakistani’s and Saudi’s could arrest Bin Laden immediately if it suited their purposes.
Conspiracy theorists, except this one, are pretty much people with too much time and not enough intelligence to live a reasonable life.
Did the CIA and the Mafia kill President Kennedy? Did Franklin Roosevelt ignore warnings and even secretly provoke the Japanese to bomb Pearl Harbor? Is the Holocaust a figment of Dwight Eisenhower’s imagination (along with about 20,000 GI’s)? Did 9/11 serve the purpose of George Bush? Let’s take a look at the last and probably nuttiest theory.
George Bush is constantly derided as an imbecile, a hopeless moron basically unable to tie his own shoes. This type of rant is heard constantly especially from Democrats and Hollywood Brainiacs. So let’s ask the question “If George is so stupid how did he fool so many people?” the answer is simple, first of all he is smarter than most of his critics and he didn’t have to fool anyone; the Saudi’s attacked the United States on 9/11/2001. If there is a valid theory of conspiracy it begins after the attack not before.
It is a conspiracy of silence not commission. The planes that hit the pentagon, the world trade center, and the ground in Pennsylvania were not under the control of the US. In fact they really did exist, it is possible to make a cell phone call from 30,000 feet or more, the 18,000 degree fire did collapse the building, it came down as it went up floor by floor, the so-called secondary explosions were the plastic and metal contents of the offices exploding when seared.
The real conspiracy is the question of why the US and Saudi Arabia are still friends. Why didn’t we retaliate against them instead of Afghanistan? It is certain that the Pakistani’s and Saudi’s could arrest Bin Laden immediately if it suited their purposes.
Conspiracy theorists, except this one, are pretty much people with too much time and not enough intelligence to live a reasonable life.
Friday, May 05, 2006
The UN. At it again
I notice that the UN is going to examine the United States for possible violations of the “worldwide” ban on torture. Is this some kind of joke? No it is not, it does show why many Americans consider the UN irrelevant. What is happening in Darfur that the UN could get involved in? How about Cuba, any chance of torture going on there? Maybe Syria has some inclination to torture, or even that beacon of enlightenment Osama Bin Laden has experience in this area. Is it possible that China, North Korea, Venezuela, or Saudi Arabia have personnel dedicated to the task of inflicting pain in search of information?
The United Nations is a wonderful idea gone horribly wrong. The only thing to its credit, and its not a small thing, is that while there have been many small wars there have been no truly devastating ones since 1939-1945. Lip service and outright dishonesty are the hallmarks of the UN. In the United States the feeling among everyone except the Far Left is that the UN should be disbanded and not replaced. Sell the real estate and divide the proceeds among the members. Send the diplomats home to whatever fate awaits them. The situation in the world will decline only slightly and will probably improve.
The criminals running most nations in Africa and Latin America will of course remain, as they would under a flourishing UN. At the very least the United States should discontinue its payment of dues as the money is invariably wasted. The UN is merely a vehicle for the latest Far Left scare tactic; from Global Warming to Nuclear Proliferation. Cynicism rules the day in conversations about what to do. Send in peacekeepers to rape the women, molest the children, and steal from the already destitute, these are behaviors that are well documented by the UN itself. Of course the charges are being studied, taken under advisement, and swept under the rug. Kofi Anan is and has been one of the worst secretary generals to have disgraced the halls of the UN building.
The United States is one of the few countries on the planet that has very little to be ashamed of with regard to its behavior. This will strike many as an offensive assertion. Their reaction is based on jealousy, hatred, and admiration despite themselves. The “intellectual elite” of European nations disdain the US mainly because they have it made but no one else in their society can advance readily. The US offers upward mobility, freedom, liberty, self-expression and all the other things the human spirit needs. If this assertion is questioned simply look to the current immigration controversy for the answer. People don’t usually move to a country to get in on the chance to be oppressed, tortured, or killed.
The United Nations is a wonderful idea gone horribly wrong. The only thing to its credit, and its not a small thing, is that while there have been many small wars there have been no truly devastating ones since 1939-1945. Lip service and outright dishonesty are the hallmarks of the UN. In the United States the feeling among everyone except the Far Left is that the UN should be disbanded and not replaced. Sell the real estate and divide the proceeds among the members. Send the diplomats home to whatever fate awaits them. The situation in the world will decline only slightly and will probably improve.
The criminals running most nations in Africa and Latin America will of course remain, as they would under a flourishing UN. At the very least the United States should discontinue its payment of dues as the money is invariably wasted. The UN is merely a vehicle for the latest Far Left scare tactic; from Global Warming to Nuclear Proliferation. Cynicism rules the day in conversations about what to do. Send in peacekeepers to rape the women, molest the children, and steal from the already destitute, these are behaviors that are well documented by the UN itself. Of course the charges are being studied, taken under advisement, and swept under the rug. Kofi Anan is and has been one of the worst secretary generals to have disgraced the halls of the UN building.
The United States is one of the few countries on the planet that has very little to be ashamed of with regard to its behavior. This will strike many as an offensive assertion. Their reaction is based on jealousy, hatred, and admiration despite themselves. The “intellectual elite” of European nations disdain the US mainly because they have it made but no one else in their society can advance readily. The US offers upward mobility, freedom, liberty, self-expression and all the other things the human spirit needs. If this assertion is questioned simply look to the current immigration controversy for the answer. People don’t usually move to a country to get in on the chance to be oppressed, tortured, or killed.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Immigration rhetoric
Immigration rhetoric has degenerated into single issue causes which means that very little progress can or will be made. Politicians are not leaders. This means that they must please their constituents in order to get re-elected. Most of the current demagogues are local, vocal, and loud which is frightening the tax fund sponsored officials into reconsidering their chances of retaining their jobs. How can they please their districts and return to Washington?
The situation has gone way past Mexican illegal immigration. Now the blacks have weighed in on Haitian’s being forcibly returned while Hispanics are not, at least not to the extent required by law. This is going to raise issues in states with heavy black voter turnout. Black citizens are easily led and manipulated just take a look at the Duke Lacrosse Team problem. Any disadvantaged group, (see Mexico), is on the defensive and is ultra-sensitive to criticism. Political unity in the United States is in intensive care and not expected to recover any time soon, which leads to the conclusion that not much can get done.
The extent of the problem is reflected in the Mexican demagoguery that merely lashes out at Anglos as responsible for all the world’s difficulties; these people are natural born liberal wacko’s and will be loved by Nancy Pelosi. The immigration crisis will most likely go the way of the gas price ruckus: no where. The political discussion will slip further towards name calling and self-serving accusations but no positive action will be put forward because it is too dangerous politically.
The root cause of the problem is that Mexico and most Latin American countries are corrupt, or governed by dictators, or have economic policies that favor the few. What else can the citizens, hated and disdained by their own, do about their plight? They must come north and here they are. From compassion we must find a way to properly deal with this situation while ignoring the rhetoric that inflames the anxious, irritates the ignorant, and does nothing to advance thinking.
The situation has gone way past Mexican illegal immigration. Now the blacks have weighed in on Haitian’s being forcibly returned while Hispanics are not, at least not to the extent required by law. This is going to raise issues in states with heavy black voter turnout. Black citizens are easily led and manipulated just take a look at the Duke Lacrosse Team problem. Any disadvantaged group, (see Mexico), is on the defensive and is ultra-sensitive to criticism. Political unity in the United States is in intensive care and not expected to recover any time soon, which leads to the conclusion that not much can get done.
The extent of the problem is reflected in the Mexican demagoguery that merely lashes out at Anglos as responsible for all the world’s difficulties; these people are natural born liberal wacko’s and will be loved by Nancy Pelosi. The immigration crisis will most likely go the way of the gas price ruckus: no where. The political discussion will slip further towards name calling and self-serving accusations but no positive action will be put forward because it is too dangerous politically.
The root cause of the problem is that Mexico and most Latin American countries are corrupt, or governed by dictators, or have economic policies that favor the few. What else can the citizens, hated and disdained by their own, do about their plight? They must come north and here they are. From compassion we must find a way to properly deal with this situation while ignoring the rhetoric that inflames the anxious, irritates the ignorant, and does nothing to advance thinking.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Asta la vista amigo
The Mexicans weren’t very invisible yesterday and the country did not grind to a halt. Democracy in the United States is disappearing and the reason is that the wacko left, who includes most Democrats, believes that democracy is for dopes. Their preference is to replace elections with intimidation, responsibility with constituent bribery, love of country and sense of purpose with empty slogans. The media are pathetic and probably always have been, without extensive television coverage there would be no purpose for such things as yesterday’s “rallies.”
The liberals in this country are lost; they miss the 60s, even though many weren’t even born then, because it gives them a reason to misbehave. These are the most childish adults you will ever meet. Many of course are Marxists gone to seed, the rest are simply trying to give meaning to their lives by making the rest of us miserable. They cannot stay focused long enough to even consider the issues that outrage them. They wring their hands over oil company profits, without which they would be scrambling for the “Mexican jobs.” They embrace the likes of Al Gore and his nutty conclusions about climate change. By the way if the climate didn’t change we would still be under a sheet of ice. These are the same people that take a novel, The DaVinci Code, and convert it to history. Want choices? Forget it. With this crowd in charge the only people making choices will be the political elite, the rest of us will be following orders.
Illegal immigration is a crime against the laws of the United States of America. That there is even a question about this proves the point that the liberals hate this country and consider it an illegitimate entity. Try immigrating to Mexico from Guatemala illegally. It is a felonious crime not a misdemeanor. The political culture of Mexico is that of corrupt violence. Why are all these people fleeing their country? It is a large place with fairly large population, immense resources ruled by gangsters. Murder, mayhem, and fiscal corruption is the order of the day. Kidnapping is a big business; respect for authority is non-existent because respect must be earned. This is the culture they are bringing to the United States. That this is true is proven by the increase in crime as these migrants find their way into the cities and towns.
Justification of their behavior is simply we are here and you have to like it. The United States is a country like no other and for that reason is the object of jealousy, derision, hatred, and fear. Other countries politicians or rulers are afraid that what the US possesses, liberty and freedom might spread to their domain which would result in their fall from power. It is no wonder that so many people want to come here, but once here they should be Americans and not hyphenated citizens.
The United States needs immigrants, abortion has already reduced our numbers by 40 million since 1973, but the process should be orderly and the requirements designed to bolster the sense of citizenship. Success through bully tactics is weak and breeds contempt, which is why amnesty is not the solution. Raise the quotas or eliminate them and streamline the process at embassies to welcome new comers. Until something like that happens events like yesterday will continue and will continue to be meaningless.
The liberals in this country are lost; they miss the 60s, even though many weren’t even born then, because it gives them a reason to misbehave. These are the most childish adults you will ever meet. Many of course are Marxists gone to seed, the rest are simply trying to give meaning to their lives by making the rest of us miserable. They cannot stay focused long enough to even consider the issues that outrage them. They wring their hands over oil company profits, without which they would be scrambling for the “Mexican jobs.” They embrace the likes of Al Gore and his nutty conclusions about climate change. By the way if the climate didn’t change we would still be under a sheet of ice. These are the same people that take a novel, The DaVinci Code, and convert it to history. Want choices? Forget it. With this crowd in charge the only people making choices will be the political elite, the rest of us will be following orders.
Illegal immigration is a crime against the laws of the United States of America. That there is even a question about this proves the point that the liberals hate this country and consider it an illegitimate entity. Try immigrating to Mexico from Guatemala illegally. It is a felonious crime not a misdemeanor. The political culture of Mexico is that of corrupt violence. Why are all these people fleeing their country? It is a large place with fairly large population, immense resources ruled by gangsters. Murder, mayhem, and fiscal corruption is the order of the day. Kidnapping is a big business; respect for authority is non-existent because respect must be earned. This is the culture they are bringing to the United States. That this is true is proven by the increase in crime as these migrants find their way into the cities and towns.
Justification of their behavior is simply we are here and you have to like it. The United States is a country like no other and for that reason is the object of jealousy, derision, hatred, and fear. Other countries politicians or rulers are afraid that what the US possesses, liberty and freedom might spread to their domain which would result in their fall from power. It is no wonder that so many people want to come here, but once here they should be Americans and not hyphenated citizens.
The United States needs immigrants, abortion has already reduced our numbers by 40 million since 1973, but the process should be orderly and the requirements designed to bolster the sense of citizenship. Success through bully tactics is weak and breeds contempt, which is why amnesty is not the solution. Raise the quotas or eliminate them and streamline the process at embassies to welcome new comers. Until something like that happens events like yesterday will continue and will continue to be meaningless.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Do People really think
Gas prices will probably continue to rise for several years. Of course this is due to the situations in China and India but there is something else to consider. The politics of gasoline are disgraceful. It is easy to belabor the democrats (oops no pun intended) but the complexities of their coalition make coherence a difficult thing to attain. By definition they are opposed to energy independence, by inclination they harp on the social problems caused by high fuel costs because they can’t help themselves. The Republicans are cowards, like abused dogs, around the Democrat demagogues and are too frightened to take a stand.
The public has to suffer, so what, the public is partly responsible for the high price of gasoline by having abdicated their responsibilities. Why is this true? Most US citizens have been trained to not think critically when the exact opposite is what is needed most. Most people take what is presented in the various media forms as true without questioning if the story makes sense. Is it true that drilling in ANWAR will be a bad thing? Is it true that all Republicans are corrupt and no Democrat is culpable? Is it true that 400,000 people a year die from lung cancer, obesity, etc? Is it true that someone else should make choices for the majority?
Until the public stops waiting for the elected government to act before polls come out or stop taking bribes from lobbyists the situation will change very little. There was a very interesting perspective on this issue. Senator Reid was quoted as saying that lobbyists had blocked a certain bill, the commentator pointed out something that most people let slip by: lobbyists can’t vote only senators and representatives can.
As long as the public takes the wacko left seriously single issue politics will continue to cripple our society.
The public has to suffer, so what, the public is partly responsible for the high price of gasoline by having abdicated their responsibilities. Why is this true? Most US citizens have been trained to not think critically when the exact opposite is what is needed most. Most people take what is presented in the various media forms as true without questioning if the story makes sense. Is it true that drilling in ANWAR will be a bad thing? Is it true that all Republicans are corrupt and no Democrat is culpable? Is it true that 400,000 people a year die from lung cancer, obesity, etc? Is it true that someone else should make choices for the majority?
Until the public stops waiting for the elected government to act before polls come out or stop taking bribes from lobbyists the situation will change very little. There was a very interesting perspective on this issue. Senator Reid was quoted as saying that lobbyists had blocked a certain bill, the commentator pointed out something that most people let slip by: lobbyists can’t vote only senators and representatives can.
As long as the public takes the wacko left seriously single issue politics will continue to cripple our society.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Is there happiness?
Why do certain people succeed in professional selling and others fail? The answer is fairly simple: to be successful at anything it must be something you would do for the fun of it. Without oversimplifying the question personal satisfaction must be at the heart of any human activity. A person considering the field of professional sales must make quite a few decisions first among which are : is problem solution something pleasurable, is meeting the needs of others enjoyable, is educating customers in the chosen field stimulating, integrity , a sense of humor, and a certain joie de vive are essential to success.
Anyone who answers positively to the above questions can not fail. Professional selling is one of the highest paid professions for a reason; it is difficult. The same can be said for any profession because success requires constant learning, and commitment to excellence. That may sound trite but think about how much excellence is found in everyday life. There isn’t as much as one might think especially under close examination. Many people work for the money instead of for the fun and life enhancing experiences work can bring. Financial success is relatively easy to achieve, personal happiness is another thing altogether.
Anyone who answers positively to the above questions can not fail. Professional selling is one of the highest paid professions for a reason; it is difficult. The same can be said for any profession because success requires constant learning, and commitment to excellence. That may sound trite but think about how much excellence is found in everyday life. There isn’t as much as one might think especially under close examination. Many people work for the money instead of for the fun and life enhancing experiences work can bring. Financial success is relatively easy to achieve, personal happiness is another thing altogether.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Failure is not a given
I was recently involved in a magazine project that had great promise but egos took precedence over business and artistic sense. The number of times people defeat themselves is amazing. After thinking about this tendency I’ve come to the conclusion that while everyone wants success on some level, many people are simply afraid to achieve. This sound preposterous but based on my experience, which is considerable, it is true.
Why would this be so? The root of the problem probably lies in childhood and to some extent in genetic evolution. The former I am fairly certain of the latter is purely a speculative thought. Many, if not all, young parents are completely unprepared to raise their children. Most seem to think that food, shelter, and discipline are all that is needed to fulfill their parental obligations. Of course those are the basics but much more is required for the children to become successful adults; that is decent human beings. Unfortunately the young parents are themselves at sea with what to do once the result of sexual intercourse comes to live with them for the next 20 odd years.
The extent of discipline is loud “NO” and sometimes striking the child. Both of these actions result in the child becoming insecure and doubtful of their worth. I’m not one who thinks self-esteem is the responsibility of the schools; it belongs to the parents. After all what should one think when the provider of life, love, and all the rest also assaults one? There is another aspect of growing up that is ignored or falsely addressed; what is life about and how should one cope with it? Most parents don’t discuss with their children how to deal with every day problems. Perhaps this is because they are having difficulty themselves. Parents today have children’s lives so organized that they don’t have time to be children and so lose the opportunity to play on their on terms. There are legitimate reasons for this state of affairs but they can be coped with in other ways.
The world is a dangerous place for children today, not that it hasn’t always been so, but it seems to be reverting in recent times. Children should be protected but not overly so; they should be treated with respect and encouraged at whatever interests they show. This is particularly true of reading. Without the ability to read, understand, and question life becomes very difficult indeed. To be able to comprehend the world and one’s place in it is a gift that is rarely given.
People go out in to society expected to have the skills to succeed; most do not. The lack of such skills is evident in binge drinking, drug abuse, and malingering. Confident people don’t need crutches. It might be said that this is false on its face because look at all the “successful” people. That is a question for another time, simply earning money is not success.
People fail because they expect to, not because they want to. Try it sometime, pick something that is not too difficult but is a bit of a stretch. Go after it with confidence and determination, they result will be surprisingly pleasant.
Why would this be so? The root of the problem probably lies in childhood and to some extent in genetic evolution. The former I am fairly certain of the latter is purely a speculative thought. Many, if not all, young parents are completely unprepared to raise their children. Most seem to think that food, shelter, and discipline are all that is needed to fulfill their parental obligations. Of course those are the basics but much more is required for the children to become successful adults; that is decent human beings. Unfortunately the young parents are themselves at sea with what to do once the result of sexual intercourse comes to live with them for the next 20 odd years.
The extent of discipline is loud “NO” and sometimes striking the child. Both of these actions result in the child becoming insecure and doubtful of their worth. I’m not one who thinks self-esteem is the responsibility of the schools; it belongs to the parents. After all what should one think when the provider of life, love, and all the rest also assaults one? There is another aspect of growing up that is ignored or falsely addressed; what is life about and how should one cope with it? Most parents don’t discuss with their children how to deal with every day problems. Perhaps this is because they are having difficulty themselves. Parents today have children’s lives so organized that they don’t have time to be children and so lose the opportunity to play on their on terms. There are legitimate reasons for this state of affairs but they can be coped with in other ways.
The world is a dangerous place for children today, not that it hasn’t always been so, but it seems to be reverting in recent times. Children should be protected but not overly so; they should be treated with respect and encouraged at whatever interests they show. This is particularly true of reading. Without the ability to read, understand, and question life becomes very difficult indeed. To be able to comprehend the world and one’s place in it is a gift that is rarely given.
People go out in to society expected to have the skills to succeed; most do not. The lack of such skills is evident in binge drinking, drug abuse, and malingering. Confident people don’t need crutches. It might be said that this is false on its face because look at all the “successful” people. That is a question for another time, simply earning money is not success.
People fail because they expect to, not because they want to. Try it sometime, pick something that is not too difficult but is a bit of a stretch. Go after it with confidence and determination, they result will be surprisingly pleasant.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
When religion is a bad thing
Religion can be a bad thing. I have just been reading an article about how a centuries old culture is disappearing in the wake of the new fundamentalism being embraced by Muslims. It seems that for at least 800 years Hindu, Buddhist, and Confucian traditions co-existed peacefully with Islam in Malaya. Malaya, a Southeast Asian nation, is home to a majority Muslim population. Now a situation has arisen where the democratically elected Muslim party has decreed that certain Hindu rituals are illegal and offensive to Islam. When questioned about rationale for this decree the reply is that previously Muslims did not know it was offensive. Does this sound familiar?
This problem goes deeper than just one religion dominating all others, a dream of all sects, but signals the erosion of a culture that will most likely disappear completely. This is a trend that is more serious than the mirage of global warming. This is only the first shot in the newest version of culture wars for which most societies are completely unprepared. The result will be similar to the Islamic conquest of nations by the sword during medieval times. More than likely there will bloodshed this time too.
In the United States the only thing preventing this behavior by fundamentalist or evangelical Christians is the constitution and the dislike of Christianity by the majority of the “thinking” population. This will change as more Muslims find their way here. In Europe the danger is the greatest because the numbers are already large and because the sophisticated Europeans cannot imagine such a disaster befalling them. After all they are not any like the Asians who are superstitious and susceptible to such ideas.
Religions are proving to be capable of reverting to the political systems in which they originated. Mankind’s fear of the unknown and the comfort of an afterlife will always prove irresistible to most; of course the beneficiaries of theocratic life are, as in any system, the leaders. Mullahs, priest, popes, preachers, deacons, shamans, you name it their vocation is based on their desire to dominate and lead others.
Behavior is the surest guide to motives. Be observant and careful.
This problem goes deeper than just one religion dominating all others, a dream of all sects, but signals the erosion of a culture that will most likely disappear completely. This is a trend that is more serious than the mirage of global warming. This is only the first shot in the newest version of culture wars for which most societies are completely unprepared. The result will be similar to the Islamic conquest of nations by the sword during medieval times. More than likely there will bloodshed this time too.
In the United States the only thing preventing this behavior by fundamentalist or evangelical Christians is the constitution and the dislike of Christianity by the majority of the “thinking” population. This will change as more Muslims find their way here. In Europe the danger is the greatest because the numbers are already large and because the sophisticated Europeans cannot imagine such a disaster befalling them. After all they are not any like the Asians who are superstitious and susceptible to such ideas.
Religions are proving to be capable of reverting to the political systems in which they originated. Mankind’s fear of the unknown and the comfort of an afterlife will always prove irresistible to most; of course the beneficiaries of theocratic life are, as in any system, the leaders. Mullahs, priest, popes, preachers, deacons, shamans, you name it their vocation is based on their desire to dominate and lead others.
Behavior is the surest guide to motives. Be observant and careful.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Christian Evolution
The Easter Holiday is fading. It’s ironic that Evangelical Christians, as they like to call themselves, feel that evolution is only a theory and one that can not be proven. Yet their behavior is in itself evolutionary. There is a strong push to rename Easter Sunday to Resurrection Sunday the idea being that too many non-Christians or lapsed Christians are enjoying Easter as a holiday and not a Holy Day.
This strategy goes back two millennia when the newly established Christian sect of Judaism began to gain strength in the Roman Empire. In order to avoid or minimize persecution the early Christians celebrated the pagan holy days by re-naming them as their own. This made it possible to have Christ’s resurrection coincide with the fertility celebrations of spring. By co-opting the pagan events the Christians began a long history of taking what the existing religious base had to offer and incorporate it into the Trinity based promise of salvation.
Islam has done the same thing, on a much smaller scale, by claiming that Muhammad ascended to heaven after his death. This is the same action ascribed to Christ which is known as The Ascension and is memorialized by holy days and by names of cities and people.
Back to the Christians. I was raised, as I have said, a Roman Catholic. I stopped practicing once I had mastered the drill. I find that the church today has evolved and though I am conversant with the ceremonies and beliefs there are certain liturgical changes of which I was unaware. Of course Roman Catholics are regarded by mainstream Protestants and Evangelicals as one step above Muslims. All this Christian Love can be a bit tedious.
The very term Evangelical is a revision of historical Christianity and is an evolutionary path blazed by successful Protestants. Remember that there were always heretics” even from the earliest days. They were exterminated in the name of God’s love just as Muslims treat apostates today. So now we find another step along the road of injustice for God’s sake. Not only do we have a pagan Christianity with the Trinity, we have one that wants to further separate itself from the rest of the citizenry and then complain about the isolation.
I am generally a fan of the Fox News Network but find John Gibson and Bill O’Reilly presumptuous, bombastic, and disingenuous; particularly in their purported fear about the “attacks” on Christian Holy Days.
This strategy goes back two millennia when the newly established Christian sect of Judaism began to gain strength in the Roman Empire. In order to avoid or minimize persecution the early Christians celebrated the pagan holy days by re-naming them as their own. This made it possible to have Christ’s resurrection coincide with the fertility celebrations of spring. By co-opting the pagan events the Christians began a long history of taking what the existing religious base had to offer and incorporate it into the Trinity based promise of salvation.
Islam has done the same thing, on a much smaller scale, by claiming that Muhammad ascended to heaven after his death. This is the same action ascribed to Christ which is known as The Ascension and is memorialized by holy days and by names of cities and people.
Back to the Christians. I was raised, as I have said, a Roman Catholic. I stopped practicing once I had mastered the drill. I find that the church today has evolved and though I am conversant with the ceremonies and beliefs there are certain liturgical changes of which I was unaware. Of course Roman Catholics are regarded by mainstream Protestants and Evangelicals as one step above Muslims. All this Christian Love can be a bit tedious.
The very term Evangelical is a revision of historical Christianity and is an evolutionary path blazed by successful Protestants. Remember that there were always heretics” even from the earliest days. They were exterminated in the name of God’s love just as Muslims treat apostates today. So now we find another step along the road of injustice for God’s sake. Not only do we have a pagan Christianity with the Trinity, we have one that wants to further separate itself from the rest of the citizenry and then complain about the isolation.
I am generally a fan of the Fox News Network but find John Gibson and Bill O’Reilly presumptuous, bombastic, and disingenuous; particularly in their purported fear about the “attacks” on Christian Holy Days.
Friday, April 14, 2006
How to take money from Babies Part 1
I just found out about a new way to separate the rich from their money. It is apparently based on a novel, The Ultimate Gift, which I haven’t yet read and which is being released as a motion picture sometime next year. The premise is the search by a depressed billionaire for a suitable heir. Just that is enough for a great comedy. It turns out, from what I have been told that this billionaire’s children and relatives are basically no account and merely engaged in spending their allowances and waiting for his death to collect on their shares. This realization strikes him to the core with unhappiness. Wait! There is hope which comes in the form of a nephew who is a little idealistic and who can probably be manipulated in to adopting the appearance of decency. The billionaire uncle spends time getting to know this person, something he probably done with the rest of his family all along, and decides he is worthy of his billions. That is he is worthy of passing a test of his worth.
The nephew must fulfill twelve tasks, what is it with 12 step programs in America anyway, and upon successfully demonstrating his value as a human being he can get his billions and degenerate into one of the family.
Undoubtedly some will think I have oversimplified the story but personally I don’t think so. This said even without reading the book. What could be more banal than the complete story I have just outlined? Well, guess what? A whole cottage industry within the “wealth management” community has or is emerging. It is known by various terms but it is essentially “legacy projection” Is this some kind of derivation of the media’s idea of Presidential legacies?
Anyway, I was in a meeting where this topic was raised. A person said, with a completely straight face, that the wealthy need and are looking for legacy planners. Stupefied, I listened in amazement as this person described the wealth that could be extracted by a legacy planner from rich people too stupid to figure out their own lives. AS the discussion went on it turns out that while becoming wealthy many rich people ignore their families and pay them to stay out of the way of wealth accumulation. No surprise there, it’s an age old story. Here’s the great thing about it, many of modern humans are so shallow themselves that they think they are in deep water just because they have a few bucks.
I don’t have room to go much further with this today and I’m sure how accurate an assessment of wealthy people is being made, but as I listened it all seemed to boil down to the fact that education and values are so weak in today’s world that the rich don’t know they’re adrift until they are rich enough to hit the shoals.
The nephew must fulfill twelve tasks, what is it with 12 step programs in America anyway, and upon successfully demonstrating his value as a human being he can get his billions and degenerate into one of the family.
Undoubtedly some will think I have oversimplified the story but personally I don’t think so. This said even without reading the book. What could be more banal than the complete story I have just outlined? Well, guess what? A whole cottage industry within the “wealth management” community has or is emerging. It is known by various terms but it is essentially “legacy projection” Is this some kind of derivation of the media’s idea of Presidential legacies?
Anyway, I was in a meeting where this topic was raised. A person said, with a completely straight face, that the wealthy need and are looking for legacy planners. Stupefied, I listened in amazement as this person described the wealth that could be extracted by a legacy planner from rich people too stupid to figure out their own lives. AS the discussion went on it turns out that while becoming wealthy many rich people ignore their families and pay them to stay out of the way of wealth accumulation. No surprise there, it’s an age old story. Here’s the great thing about it, many of modern humans are so shallow themselves that they think they are in deep water just because they have a few bucks.
I don’t have room to go much further with this today and I’m sure how accurate an assessment of wealthy people is being made, but as I listened it all seemed to boil down to the fact that education and values are so weak in today’s world that the rich don’t know they’re adrift until they are rich enough to hit the shoals.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
How many must die?
I love do-gooders. They are so inconsistent that they appear to have their acts together when in fact the opposite is true. I believe these tendencies are rooted in the natural desire of human beings to be liked. This impulse coupled with the usual herd mentality gives us the fun of watching them behave like lemmings going over a cliff. If you find this assertion offensive perhaps you’d better look and see how close you’re getting to the cliff’s edge.
Let’s take a look at some of the campaigns mounted in recent years, say the last 40 years. Anti-smoking, anti-drinking, anti-fat, anti-driving (without seatbelts), these are just a few of the main objects of the people who want to run our lives and feel good because they are helping. Are they? Anti-war, anti-conservatism, anti-religion, all these things are cast in the negative; ever wonder why? I am not grinding an axe here simply making an observation.
With all the ways of prolonging life and supposedly improving its quality why is there no objection from the left on the one thing that has taken more lives in the past 40 years than any number of deaths from fat, smoking, or drinking? Since 1973 approximately 40 million babies have been killed by abortionists and their supporters. This number dwarfs the deaths from any other source; single or combined. These murders are based on a woman’s right to choose, a weak specious argument at best; transparently stupid at worst.
Why don’t I have the right to choose to smoke, drink, be promiscuous, get fat, drive fast, or anything else these people object to? Why are they right about the do’s and don’ts of life? The latest thing is the “civil rights” of illegal immigration. What about the “civil rights” of children conceived and then murdered?
I am asking these questions because we are bombarded every day about things that should be banned from our lives. Is there an irony here? The do-gooders, right and left, have embraced a new Puritanism, unique in its American slant. Unfortunately the rest of the world tends to ape American behavior which is resulting in a dumbing down of societies all around the globe. We Americans know what is best for everyone, especially those we can control.
It is outrageous that a woman’s right to choose does not seem to include choosing not to have sexual intercourse without birth control methods and techniques in place. Sexual acts are fun and should be indulged in frequently but sensibly. The so-called unwanted pregnancy is totally unnecessary today so why do we have so many abortions? People are selfish, lazy, and thoughtless. Abortion is nothing more than birth control for the stupid and self-indulgent mindless individuals that populate our nation.
The next time you are warned about the number of deaths from smoking, drinking, and obesity remember the deaths resulting laziness: 40 million so far.
Let’s take a look at some of the campaigns mounted in recent years, say the last 40 years. Anti-smoking, anti-drinking, anti-fat, anti-driving (without seatbelts), these are just a few of the main objects of the people who want to run our lives and feel good because they are helping. Are they? Anti-war, anti-conservatism, anti-religion, all these things are cast in the negative; ever wonder why? I am not grinding an axe here simply making an observation.
With all the ways of prolonging life and supposedly improving its quality why is there no objection from the left on the one thing that has taken more lives in the past 40 years than any number of deaths from fat, smoking, or drinking? Since 1973 approximately 40 million babies have been killed by abortionists and their supporters. This number dwarfs the deaths from any other source; single or combined. These murders are based on a woman’s right to choose, a weak specious argument at best; transparently stupid at worst.
Why don’t I have the right to choose to smoke, drink, be promiscuous, get fat, drive fast, or anything else these people object to? Why are they right about the do’s and don’ts of life? The latest thing is the “civil rights” of illegal immigration. What about the “civil rights” of children conceived and then murdered?
I am asking these questions because we are bombarded every day about things that should be banned from our lives. Is there an irony here? The do-gooders, right and left, have embraced a new Puritanism, unique in its American slant. Unfortunately the rest of the world tends to ape American behavior which is resulting in a dumbing down of societies all around the globe. We Americans know what is best for everyone, especially those we can control.
It is outrageous that a woman’s right to choose does not seem to include choosing not to have sexual intercourse without birth control methods and techniques in place. Sexual acts are fun and should be indulged in frequently but sensibly. The so-called unwanted pregnancy is totally unnecessary today so why do we have so many abortions? People are selfish, lazy, and thoughtless. Abortion is nothing more than birth control for the stupid and self-indulgent mindless individuals that populate our nation.
The next time you are warned about the number of deaths from smoking, drinking, and obesity remember the deaths resulting laziness: 40 million so far.
How many must die?
I love do-gooders. They are so inconsistent that they appear to have their acts together when in fact the opposite is true. I believe these tendencies are rooted in the natural desire of human beings to be liked. This impulse coupled with the usual herd mentality gives us the fun of watching them behave like lemmings going over a cliff. If you find this assertion offensive perhaps you’d better look and see how close you’re getting to the cliff’s edge.
Let’s take a look at some of the campaigns mounted in recent years, say the last 40 years. Anti-smoking, anti-drinking, anti-fat, anti-driving (without seatbelts), these are just a few of the main objects of the people who want to run our lives and feel good because they are helping. Are they? Anti-war, anti-conservatism, anti-religion, all these things are cast in the negative; ever wonder why? I am not grinding an axe here simply making an observation.
With all the ways of prolonging life and supposedly improving its quality why is there no objection from the left on the one thing that has taken more lives in the past 40 years than any number of deaths from fat, smoking, or drinking? Since 1973 approximately 40 million babies have been killed by abortionists and their supporters. This number dwarfs the deaths from any other source; single or combined. These murders are based on a woman’s right to choose, a weak specious argument at best; transparently stupid at worst.
Why don’t I have the right to choose to smoke, drink, be promiscuous, get fat, drive fast, or anything else these people object to? Why are they right about the do’s and don’ts of life? The latest thing is the “civil rights” of illegal immigration. What about the “civil rights” of children conceived and then murdered?
I am asking these questions because we are bombarded every day about things that should be banned from our lives. Is there an irony here? The do-gooders, right and left, have embraced a new Puritanism, unique in its American slant. Unfortunately the rest of the world tends to ape American behavior which is resulting in a dumbing down of societies all around the globe. We Americans know what is best for everyone, especially those we can control.
It is outrageous that a woman’s right to choose does not seem to include choosing not to have sexual intercourse without birth control methods and techniques in place. Sexual acts are fun and should be indulged in frequently but sensibly. The so-called unwanted pregnancy is totally unnecessary today so why do we have so many abortions? People are selfish, lazy, and thoughtless. Abortion is nothing more than birth control for the stupid and self-indulgent mindless individuals that populate our nation.
The next time you are warned about the number of deaths from smoking, drinking, and obesity remember the deaths resulting laziness: 40 million so far.
Let’s take a look at some of the campaigns mounted in recent years, say the last 40 years. Anti-smoking, anti-drinking, anti-fat, anti-driving (without seatbelts), these are just a few of the main objects of the people who want to run our lives and feel good because they are helping. Are they? Anti-war, anti-conservatism, anti-religion, all these things are cast in the negative; ever wonder why? I am not grinding an axe here simply making an observation.
With all the ways of prolonging life and supposedly improving its quality why is there no objection from the left on the one thing that has taken more lives in the past 40 years than any number of deaths from fat, smoking, or drinking? Since 1973 approximately 40 million babies have been killed by abortionists and their supporters. This number dwarfs the deaths from any other source; single or combined. These murders are based on a woman’s right to choose, a weak specious argument at best; transparently stupid at worst.
Why don’t I have the right to choose to smoke, drink, be promiscuous, get fat, drive fast, or anything else these people object to? Why are they right about the do’s and don’ts of life? The latest thing is the “civil rights” of illegal immigration. What about the “civil rights” of children conceived and then murdered?
I am asking these questions because we are bombarded every day about things that should be banned from our lives. Is there an irony here? The do-gooders, right and left, have embraced a new Puritanism, unique in its American slant. Unfortunately the rest of the world tends to ape American behavior which is resulting in a dumbing down of societies all around the globe. We Americans know what is best for everyone, especially those we can control.
It is outrageous that a woman’s right to choose does not seem to include choosing not to have sexual intercourse without birth control methods and techniques in place. Sexual acts are fun and should be indulged in frequently but sensibly. The so-called unwanted pregnancy is totally unnecessary today so why do we have so many abortions? People are selfish, lazy, and thoughtless. Abortion is nothing more than birth control for the stupid and self-indulgent mindless individuals that populate our nation.
The next time you are warned about the number of deaths from smoking, drinking, and obesity remember the deaths resulting laziness: 40 million so far.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Iran Explodes
Explosions in Iran should come as no surprise. It is clear that the United States is considering military action against known Iranian nuclear facilities. This will most likely come in the form of attacks by the USAF using its stealth bombers and massive bunker-busting bombs. These attacks will be as surgical as possible but that might not be very surgical in the sense of little or no collateral damage. This damage will be more than just destroyed buildings and dead people.
That some action should be taken is inarguable, the Iranian regime is unstable politically, morally, historically, and most likely mentally. Iran will destroy, or a least attempt to destroy Israel using its nuclear weapons. The reason there is such a willingness to do so is based on their fundamental belief that the end of the world is near so what have they to lose. One might be surprised to find that fundamentalist Christians share this belief and both sides are looking forward eagerly to this event. The Iranians will also use this power to intimidate other Muslim nations, who actually despise them for embracing Shia, and bending them to their will under threat of destruction. This will not be a religious conundrum as Sunnis are regarded as heretics by Shia.
For those of us who aren’t looking for a tremendous upheaval and nuclear degradation of the environment something preventative is called for. A military action should be the absolute last resort, but it must be considered. The Iranians are naïve if they think a military strike would be unsuccessful. The immediate results will be a great success; the lingering ones are much more problematic. Detractors of the United States will have a knee-jerk totally predictable response to this suggestion and action, but a least they can have a reaction. In Iran any dissent is usually punished by death or lengthy imprisonment; similar to Cuban and Venezuelan behavior.
The set of circumstances is almost irretrievable at this point, Iran is going to press forward, the US is going to find away to stop them. The rest of us will be along for the ride which will be very unpleasant and last a long time.
That some action should be taken is inarguable, the Iranian regime is unstable politically, morally, historically, and most likely mentally. Iran will destroy, or a least attempt to destroy Israel using its nuclear weapons. The reason there is such a willingness to do so is based on their fundamental belief that the end of the world is near so what have they to lose. One might be surprised to find that fundamentalist Christians share this belief and both sides are looking forward eagerly to this event. The Iranians will also use this power to intimidate other Muslim nations, who actually despise them for embracing Shia, and bending them to their will under threat of destruction. This will not be a religious conundrum as Sunnis are regarded as heretics by Shia.
For those of us who aren’t looking for a tremendous upheaval and nuclear degradation of the environment something preventative is called for. A military action should be the absolute last resort, but it must be considered. The Iranians are naïve if they think a military strike would be unsuccessful. The immediate results will be a great success; the lingering ones are much more problematic. Detractors of the United States will have a knee-jerk totally predictable response to this suggestion and action, but a least they can have a reaction. In Iran any dissent is usually punished by death or lengthy imprisonment; similar to Cuban and Venezuelan behavior.
The set of circumstances is almost irretrievable at this point, Iran is going to press forward, the US is going to find away to stop them. The rest of us will be along for the ride which will be very unpleasant and last a long time.
Bombs in the Iranian Hinterlands
Explosions in Iran should come as no surprise. It is clear that the United States is considering military action against known Iranian nuclear facilities. This will most likely come in the form of attacks by the USAF using its stealth bombers and massive bunker-busting bombs. These attacks will be as surgical as possible but that might not be very surgical in the sense of little or no collateral damage. This damage will be more than just destroyed buildings and dead people.
That some action should be taken is inarguable, the Iranian regime is unstable politically, morally, historically, and most likely mentally. Iran will destroy, or a least attempt to destroy Israel using its nuclear weapons. The reason there is such a willingness to do so is based on their fundamental belief that the end of the world is near so what have they to lose. One might be surprised to find that fundamentalist Christians share this belief and both sides are looking forward eagerly to this event. The Iranians will also use this power to intimidate other Muslim nations, who actually despise them for embracing Shia, and bending them to their will under threat of destruction. This will not be a religious conundrum as Sunnis are regarded as heretics by Shia.
For those of us who aren’t looking for a tremendous upheaval and nuclear degradation of the environment something preventative is called for. A military action should be the absolute last resort, but it must be considered. The Iranians are naïve if they think a military strike would be unsuccessful. The immediate results will be a great success; the lingering ones are much more problematic. Detractors of the United States will have a knee-jerk totally predictable response to this suggestion and action, but a least they can have a reaction. In Iran any dissent is usually punished by death or lengthy imprisonment; similar to Cuban and Venezuelan behavior.
The set of circumstances is almost irretrievable at this point, Iran is going to press forward, the US is going to find away to stop them. The rest of us will be along for the ride which will be very unpleasant and last a long time.
That some action should be taken is inarguable, the Iranian regime is unstable politically, morally, historically, and most likely mentally. Iran will destroy, or a least attempt to destroy Israel using its nuclear weapons. The reason there is such a willingness to do so is based on their fundamental belief that the end of the world is near so what have they to lose. One might be surprised to find that fundamentalist Christians share this belief and both sides are looking forward eagerly to this event. The Iranians will also use this power to intimidate other Muslim nations, who actually despise them for embracing Shia, and bending them to their will under threat of destruction. This will not be a religious conundrum as Sunnis are regarded as heretics by Shia.
For those of us who aren’t looking for a tremendous upheaval and nuclear degradation of the environment something preventative is called for. A military action should be the absolute last resort, but it must be considered. The Iranians are naïve if they think a military strike would be unsuccessful. The immediate results will be a great success; the lingering ones are much more problematic. Detractors of the United States will have a knee-jerk totally predictable response to this suggestion and action, but a least they can have a reaction. In Iran any dissent is usually punished by death or lengthy imprisonment; similar to Cuban and Venezuelan behavior.
The set of circumstances is almost irretrievable at this point, Iran is going to press forward, the US is going to find away to stop them. The rest of us will be along for the ride which will be very unpleasant and last a long time.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Tiger Misses
Phil Mickelson is going to cause Tiger problems on his way to breaking the major championship victory record set by Jack Nicklaus. Mickelson might run out of time, he is 36 to Tiger’s 30, but he has regained the confidence that was shattered by Tiger’s arrival on the golf scene. Over the years Mickelson has four putted his way out of victory. His wild risk-taking style cost him many opportunities to win. Apparently he has now matured and is now a championship golfer.
This means that when Phil starts a tournament he is trying to win. In the past he merely wanted to win and felt he could because of his skills which are of course excellent. Arrogance will not win golf tournaments especially at the championship level. The great Bobby Jones had the same problem when he started, there is no other comparison between the two golfers, but until Jones learned to control himself and his golfing urges he remained winless when it counted. Tiger Woods has raised the standard of performance required to win major golf tournaments. The field is responding by rising to the level and sometimes beyond.
I doubt that there is any real danger of Woods failing to break Jack Nicklaus’ record. The only thing that can prevent it is Tiger Woods either losing interest or suffering injury. Other players will win majors and Phil Mickelson is well on his way to a record similar to that of Nick Faldo, none will surpass Woods.
Tiger has been tinkering with his swing and he is taking risks that he wouldn’t take in the past. He has been accused of being to machine like, too boring, but that is what wins tournaments and sets records. Golf is a game of patience and humility. One must prepare, commit, and play the shot; if it doesn’t work out perfectly one must move on from there. Ben Hogan realized this and pointed out that tournaments are won by those who manage their bad shots as very few good shots are ever made under the pressure of a tournament.
Congratulations to Phil Mickelson for winning the Master’s he held up when others faltered.
This means that when Phil starts a tournament he is trying to win. In the past he merely wanted to win and felt he could because of his skills which are of course excellent. Arrogance will not win golf tournaments especially at the championship level. The great Bobby Jones had the same problem when he started, there is no other comparison between the two golfers, but until Jones learned to control himself and his golfing urges he remained winless when it counted. Tiger Woods has raised the standard of performance required to win major golf tournaments. The field is responding by rising to the level and sometimes beyond.
I doubt that there is any real danger of Woods failing to break Jack Nicklaus’ record. The only thing that can prevent it is Tiger Woods either losing interest or suffering injury. Other players will win majors and Phil Mickelson is well on his way to a record similar to that of Nick Faldo, none will surpass Woods.
Tiger has been tinkering with his swing and he is taking risks that he wouldn’t take in the past. He has been accused of being to machine like, too boring, but that is what wins tournaments and sets records. Golf is a game of patience and humility. One must prepare, commit, and play the shot; if it doesn’t work out perfectly one must move on from there. Ben Hogan realized this and pointed out that tournaments are won by those who manage their bad shots as very few good shots are ever made under the pressure of a tournament.
Congratulations to Phil Mickelson for winning the Master’s he held up when others faltered.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
The Root of all Evil
I had a visitor to the blog who got here by searching the words “democracy the root of all evils. A check of site meter revealed that this person resides in India, the world’s largest “functioning” democracy. So there are two interesting facts. Is this person from the Brahmin caste and angry that others from lower castes are allowed to vote? Democracy, when it is truly permitted to function is probably the best form of government for human beings.
No matter what feel-good liberals like to think and hold dear in the face of all evidence to the contrary human nature is not inherently good. Democracy gives the weakest members of society a chance, only a chance, of affecting the outcome of events. It is certainly not a perfect method, though it is the most adequate. The liberal idea that all people are created equal ends in the delivery room or wherever birth is completed. Equality is an undesirable condition and will never exist. Equal chances may exist but genetics has demonstrated that some are better equipped than others to deal with their existence. Socialism doesn’t work, and certainly communism is an absolute failure. To check my assertions examine the history of the Soviet Union, France, and China.
In every group a dominant personality will emerge as the leader people are similar to all other mammals in this respect. The leader will surround himself ( generically speaking) with others who meet his needs for adoration, manipulative control of others, financial management of the dominated group or area, and in general those loyal enough to ensure his safety from other dominant or as we say today Alpha personalities.
Democracies have all these characteristics with the exception of the dominant leader’s role as he must please those he leads, thus making changes a bit more possible if not likely. Human nature is geared towards survival of a particular being, if preserving the group is in that beings best interest then that interest will be served. If the impulse is for other behavior it will be satisfied in some way that can be either beneficial or detrimental to the group.
So it is fruitless to examine democracy as the root of all evils, we must look to ourselves to satisfy that search.
No matter what feel-good liberals like to think and hold dear in the face of all evidence to the contrary human nature is not inherently good. Democracy gives the weakest members of society a chance, only a chance, of affecting the outcome of events. It is certainly not a perfect method, though it is the most adequate. The liberal idea that all people are created equal ends in the delivery room or wherever birth is completed. Equality is an undesirable condition and will never exist. Equal chances may exist but genetics has demonstrated that some are better equipped than others to deal with their existence. Socialism doesn’t work, and certainly communism is an absolute failure. To check my assertions examine the history of the Soviet Union, France, and China.
In every group a dominant personality will emerge as the leader people are similar to all other mammals in this respect. The leader will surround himself ( generically speaking) with others who meet his needs for adoration, manipulative control of others, financial management of the dominated group or area, and in general those loyal enough to ensure his safety from other dominant or as we say today Alpha personalities.
Democracies have all these characteristics with the exception of the dominant leader’s role as he must please those he leads, thus making changes a bit more possible if not likely. Human nature is geared towards survival of a particular being, if preserving the group is in that beings best interest then that interest will be served. If the impulse is for other behavior it will be satisfied in some way that can be either beneficial or detrimental to the group.
So it is fruitless to examine democracy as the root of all evils, we must look to ourselves to satisfy that search.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Invisible Mexican Day
I can’t wait for the invisible Mexican day. Personally I think we need more immigrants and so should raise the quotas so illegal immigration will be less of an issue. I take issue with those who use the tactics of intimidation to press their agenda. Of course that is the “Liberal” way; if the majority doesn’t agree with you try pressure. This is known as terrorism when guns, bombs, and mayhem are used. It is the same thing on a lower level with regard to the immigration controversy.
The cynical use of illegal immigrants by Democrats is disgusting if not new. The moral cowardice of Republicans is typical of hypocrites who simply want a job paid for by the citizens they “represent.” In New York a law is being passed to allow anyone to vote the questions of residency, interest, citizenship, do not arise. I guess it is simply a codification of a situation that already exists there.
I don’t think the Day Without a Mexican will amount to much, oh the media will exaggerate its impact, but especially where I live they will remain invisible. The battle in the southern states will be between blacks and Hispanics; the blacks will lose. This is unfortunate as they are the longest resident minority. They have been duped by the Democrat Party into thinking that they will be taken care of by the government if it is controlled by the Democrats. Now that the latino population is growing into a potentially large voting bloc the blacks can and will be ignored.
Another interesting aspect of this situation is the position taken by the unions. Talk about ambivalence, unions need members, unions want higher pay and more benefits, they should be opposed to illegal immigrants but because they are in thrall to the Democrat Party they are caught and left hanging. When the illegals become legal and union members they attractiveness will disappear. The wage hike spiral that will follow will result in further illegal immigration that will drive these new found gains down. Then today’s protestors will be bashing the government in an attempt to keep the new illegals out. Round and round we go where we stop no one knows.
The cynical use of illegal immigrants by Democrats is disgusting if not new. The moral cowardice of Republicans is typical of hypocrites who simply want a job paid for by the citizens they “represent.” In New York a law is being passed to allow anyone to vote the questions of residency, interest, citizenship, do not arise. I guess it is simply a codification of a situation that already exists there.
I don’t think the Day Without a Mexican will amount to much, oh the media will exaggerate its impact, but especially where I live they will remain invisible. The battle in the southern states will be between blacks and Hispanics; the blacks will lose. This is unfortunate as they are the longest resident minority. They have been duped by the Democrat Party into thinking that they will be taken care of by the government if it is controlled by the Democrats. Now that the latino population is growing into a potentially large voting bloc the blacks can and will be ignored.
Another interesting aspect of this situation is the position taken by the unions. Talk about ambivalence, unions need members, unions want higher pay and more benefits, they should be opposed to illegal immigrants but because they are in thrall to the Democrat Party they are caught and left hanging. When the illegals become legal and union members they attractiveness will disappear. The wage hike spiral that will follow will result in further illegal immigration that will drive these new found gains down. Then today’s protestors will be bashing the government in an attempt to keep the new illegals out. Round and round we go where we stop no one knows.
Invisble Mexican Day
I can’t wait for the invisible Mexican day. Personally I think we need more immigrants and so should raise the quotas so illegal immigration will be less of an issue. I take issue with those who use the tactics of intimidation to press their agenda. Of course that is the “Liberal” way; if the majority doesn’t agree with you try pressure. This is known as terrorism when guns, bombs, and mayhem are used. It is the same thing on a lower level with regard to the immigration controversy.
The cynical use of illegal immigrants by Democrats is disgusting if not new. The moral cowardice of Republicans is typical of hypocrites who simply want a job paid for by the citizens they “represent.” In New York a law is being passed to allow anyone to vote the questions of residency, interest, citizenship, do not arise. I guess it is simply a codification of a situation that already exists there.
I don’t think the Day Without a Mexican will amount to much, oh the media will exaggerate its impact, but especially where I live they will remain invisible. The battle in the southern states will be between blacks and Hispanics; the blacks will lose. This is unfortunate as they are the longest resident minority. They have been duped by the Democrat Party into thinking that they will be taken care of by the government if it is controlled by the Democrats. Now that the latino population is growing into a potentially large voting bloc the blacks can and will be ignored.
Another interesting aspect of this situation is the position taken by the unions. Talk about ambivalence, unions need members, unions want higher pay and more benefits, they should be opposed to illegal immigrants but because they are in thrall to the Democrat Party they are caught and left hanging. When the illegals become legal and union members they attractiveness will disappear. The wage hike spiral that will follow will result in further illegal immigration that will drive these new found gains down. Then today’s protestors will be bashing the government in an attempt to keep the new illegals out. Round and round we go where we stop no one knows.
The cynical use of illegal immigrants by Democrats is disgusting if not new. The moral cowardice of Republicans is typical of hypocrites who simply want a job paid for by the citizens they “represent.” In New York a law is being passed to allow anyone to vote the questions of residency, interest, citizenship, do not arise. I guess it is simply a codification of a situation that already exists there.
I don’t think the Day Without a Mexican will amount to much, oh the media will exaggerate its impact, but especially where I live they will remain invisible. The battle in the southern states will be between blacks and Hispanics; the blacks will lose. This is unfortunate as they are the longest resident minority. They have been duped by the Democrat Party into thinking that they will be taken care of by the government if it is controlled by the Democrats. Now that the latino population is growing into a potentially large voting bloc the blacks can and will be ignored.
Another interesting aspect of this situation is the position taken by the unions. Talk about ambivalence, unions need members, unions want higher pay and more benefits, they should be opposed to illegal immigrants but because they are in thrall to the Democrat Party they are caught and left hanging. When the illegals become legal and union members they attractiveness will disappear. The wage hike spiral that will follow will result in further illegal immigration that will drive these new found gains down. Then today’s protestors will be bashing the government in an attempt to keep the new illegals out. Round and round we go where we stop no one knows.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Do Gooders - Be Quiet Please
I get really tired of all the do-gooders who want to make themselves feel justified for living. From the anti-smoking, anti-fat, anti-car, and anti-fun forces to the so-called experts on global warming the act of looking beyond one’s little place in the world quite tedious. Of course you can see just about anything on television and the other night there was a program about hurricanes. It began by discussing the possibility of a devastating storm hitting Manhattan Island. It has happened before and according to scientific thought such a thing will most likely happen again. The cycle appears to be every 75 years or so (something like Halley’s Comet) which means another one is due within the next few years. As the program went on the discussion swung round to global warming and the effects of climate change.
It was glossed over and no definitive claims were made other than hurricanes are more frequent and more damaging now, at least since records have been kept; then came an interesting change of pace. It turns out that record keeping in China has been going on a bit longer than in the West; about 1000 years longer. It also seems that modern Typhoons are not as frequent or as damaging as those in millennia past. Well, that’s in China and what do they know. A Chinese scientist has come to the United States and taken core samples from coastal areas to determine the number and extent of Atlantic hurricanes. The results are amazing.
Apparently in the murky past the same pattern of hurricane incidents can be traced on the Atlantic side and they were more numerous and apparently more damaging. So, is global warming helping or hurting? Extremists love to frighten the weak minded, who apparently make up most of the earth’s population, and also seek to impose their paranoiac views on the rest of us.
I personally don’t smoke and I take care of my health. I do this for ego’s sake, I like to look as well as I can. For that reason I exercise regularly but I don’t necessarily conform to the diet strictures of the fat police. I don’t eat fast food because it has no taste and is very expensive considering what it is.
I guess I’m a geezer because I want all these nut cases to keep quiet or at the very least stop publicizing their particular brand of mental illness.
It was glossed over and no definitive claims were made other than hurricanes are more frequent and more damaging now, at least since records have been kept; then came an interesting change of pace. It turns out that record keeping in China has been going on a bit longer than in the West; about 1000 years longer. It also seems that modern Typhoons are not as frequent or as damaging as those in millennia past. Well, that’s in China and what do they know. A Chinese scientist has come to the United States and taken core samples from coastal areas to determine the number and extent of Atlantic hurricanes. The results are amazing.
Apparently in the murky past the same pattern of hurricane incidents can be traced on the Atlantic side and they were more numerous and apparently more damaging. So, is global warming helping or hurting? Extremists love to frighten the weak minded, who apparently make up most of the earth’s population, and also seek to impose their paranoiac views on the rest of us.
I personally don’t smoke and I take care of my health. I do this for ego’s sake, I like to look as well as I can. For that reason I exercise regularly but I don’t necessarily conform to the diet strictures of the fat police. I don’t eat fast food because it has no taste and is very expensive considering what it is.
I guess I’m a geezer because I want all these nut cases to keep quiet or at the very least stop publicizing their particular brand of mental illness.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Immigration: A Problem?
Immigration is a big issue here, and it is a big issue in Mexico. Let’s face it Mexican immigration is the only one that bothers the people of the United States of America. The population of the United States of Mexico is coming to a place where they can be free, find work, raise families, and escape a corrupt, elitist, murderous, despicable society. Mexico, a beautiful, rugged, charming landscape is ruled by criminals. It is really amusing to hear the criticism of the USA, especially by its own citizens, who exhibit no appreciation for their situation which is unique in the world. The USA is the only place on earth where a person may come with nothing and have a good chance of advancing economically to heights undreamed of in their native land. This goes for any other country including those of Europe, Asia, South America, Central America, and the Middle East. In all of these other places there are barriers to success from arcane caste systems, brutal political systems, and religious obstacles, landed oligarchies, to simply repressive societies.
This is not a jingoistic apology for the United States it is a statement of fact. Those whose reaction will be a typical knee-jerk hatred of America should take some time to really examine my position. We are a free, capitalist society. I admit we are often on the verge of socialist suicide and will perhaps not always be the mecca of opportunity but so far so good.
Today’s Americans want immigrants, those who can make an immediate positive impact on society. The first immigration act was passed in 1882 to ban Chinese immigration which was known as the “Yellow Peril”. These industrious people were typical in that they kept to themselves, spoke their native language, and were exploited by their native criminals. Their uniqueness was frightening to English speaking citizens. The situation today is analogous.
To combat the problems we are facing we must encourage immigration, or least accept it but take some steps to ameliorate its effects. The must be no multilingual conversation in schools (with exception of training), work, government, etc. Let the children be assimilated, let them be citizens. Let their parents be welcomed and become citizens. If they can’t speak English it’s just too bad. The sooner they learn the language the better off everyone will be. If they don’t want to speak English then the second part of that choice is to return to their native land. The USA needs more people, there are plenty of jobs, places to live, freedoms to enjoy, and lives to build here. There is plenty of prejudice and fear as well; for the most part it is overcome easily.
The Mexican elites want their people to leave, bring them on.
This is not a jingoistic apology for the United States it is a statement of fact. Those whose reaction will be a typical knee-jerk hatred of America should take some time to really examine my position. We are a free, capitalist society. I admit we are often on the verge of socialist suicide and will perhaps not always be the mecca of opportunity but so far so good.
Today’s Americans want immigrants, those who can make an immediate positive impact on society. The first immigration act was passed in 1882 to ban Chinese immigration which was known as the “Yellow Peril”. These industrious people were typical in that they kept to themselves, spoke their native language, and were exploited by their native criminals. Their uniqueness was frightening to English speaking citizens. The situation today is analogous.
To combat the problems we are facing we must encourage immigration, or least accept it but take some steps to ameliorate its effects. The must be no multilingual conversation in schools (with exception of training), work, government, etc. Let the children be assimilated, let them be citizens. Let their parents be welcomed and become citizens. If they can’t speak English it’s just too bad. The sooner they learn the language the better off everyone will be. If they don’t want to speak English then the second part of that choice is to return to their native land. The USA needs more people, there are plenty of jobs, places to live, freedoms to enjoy, and lives to build here. There is plenty of prejudice and fear as well; for the most part it is overcome easily.
The Mexican elites want their people to leave, bring them on.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Another Experience in America
Our African-American fellow citizens are confused. I have recently had the pleasure of editing a magazine. As you might imagine it has allowed me to come in contact with a variety of personalities and talents. As a free-lance writer it has also made it clear why many editors probably toss material sent to them without reading it or only giving it a cursory glance. Those comments are for another column, I digress.
Several of the writers and colleagues at the magazine are African-American or Latino. The divergence of cultures is obvious, but perhaps the similarities might surprise some of those whose experience in America has been rather sheltered by comparison. I won’t name names as it will serve no purpose. One of my writers is a young man who is extremely skeptical of white society and whose writing is mostly a disorganized reaction to and defense against perceived slaps against blacks. His one saving grace is his passion and his ideas. I have tightened up his work and published it; I can’t wait to see the letters.
Another one of the team is simply writing because he loves it; this comes through very clearly. His computer skills are limited but cut and paste is simple compared to the task of getting writing that can be published. His approach to his subjects is fresh, and interesting, always with a black cultural slant but not obviously angry. The difference between the two: the former is part of the entitlement culture while the latter wants his work to stand on its own. Both are very interesting people.
The other colleague is a well known NBA and Collegiate star. He is quite artistic, and intelligent. His formal education appears to have been just that: a formality. Yet he is amazingly considerate, diplomatic, and as might be expected goal-driven. He too keeps the undercurrent of black resentment under control as he views it as unproductive.
Finally my Latino friend. He is laid back and goes with the flow. The picture of his feelings he presents the world is false. As he relates his experience “We Mexicans learn to do the work and keep quiet.” This appears to the way, from this limited sample, that many if not most minority group citizens respond to the Anglo environment. Of course this is not healthy in the long run. Our country was made great by arguments regarding what is best for all, even though the few often won out.
I said that African-Americans are confused and the reason is that they are no longer in a life or death struggle for equality, prosperity, and respect. Their leaders take the opposite view to maintain their own power, not an unusual position for demagogues to adopt, but because the Civil Rights wound is still relatively new, the pain has not fully dulled. The collective memory will never fade as they get a reminder every time they look in the mirror.
Latinos are a different case, particularly those who have come from professional families or who are 2nd or 3rd generation. These citizens still have something of an abashed mindset. It will surprise many in Anglo land that Latinos consider them, albeit quietly, as foolish and untrustworthy.
These are just some thoughts you might consider during your next encounter with friend or acquaintance of a minority background. They don’t like you as much as you think they do.
Several of the writers and colleagues at the magazine are African-American or Latino. The divergence of cultures is obvious, but perhaps the similarities might surprise some of those whose experience in America has been rather sheltered by comparison. I won’t name names as it will serve no purpose. One of my writers is a young man who is extremely skeptical of white society and whose writing is mostly a disorganized reaction to and defense against perceived slaps against blacks. His one saving grace is his passion and his ideas. I have tightened up his work and published it; I can’t wait to see the letters.
Another one of the team is simply writing because he loves it; this comes through very clearly. His computer skills are limited but cut and paste is simple compared to the task of getting writing that can be published. His approach to his subjects is fresh, and interesting, always with a black cultural slant but not obviously angry. The difference between the two: the former is part of the entitlement culture while the latter wants his work to stand on its own. Both are very interesting people.
The other colleague is a well known NBA and Collegiate star. He is quite artistic, and intelligent. His formal education appears to have been just that: a formality. Yet he is amazingly considerate, diplomatic, and as might be expected goal-driven. He too keeps the undercurrent of black resentment under control as he views it as unproductive.
Finally my Latino friend. He is laid back and goes with the flow. The picture of his feelings he presents the world is false. As he relates his experience “We Mexicans learn to do the work and keep quiet.” This appears to the way, from this limited sample, that many if not most minority group citizens respond to the Anglo environment. Of course this is not healthy in the long run. Our country was made great by arguments regarding what is best for all, even though the few often won out.
I said that African-Americans are confused and the reason is that they are no longer in a life or death struggle for equality, prosperity, and respect. Their leaders take the opposite view to maintain their own power, not an unusual position for demagogues to adopt, but because the Civil Rights wound is still relatively new, the pain has not fully dulled. The collective memory will never fade as they get a reminder every time they look in the mirror.
Latinos are a different case, particularly those who have come from professional families or who are 2nd or 3rd generation. These citizens still have something of an abashed mindset. It will surprise many in Anglo land that Latinos consider them, albeit quietly, as foolish and untrustworthy.
These are just some thoughts you might consider during your next encounter with friend or acquaintance of a minority background. They don’t like you as much as you think they do.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Ah Spring!
Spring is coming on strong here in the Carolinas, pollen is making its presence felt; mostly in the form of dust leading to sneezing and coughing. It’s time to mulch, put a new spark plug in the lawnmower, plant some pansies, and generally clean up winter’s damage. Daylight savings starts Sunday, more hours for golf being the major benefit, and so all kinds of outdoor activity may be expected. Boats, water skis, PWC’s will all be made ready. It’s a routine that is taken to be just that, most of the United States has drifted into a complacent view of life.
Of course there is the nightly news which can be disturbing at times, no one really knows what to make of illegal immigration; the latest media hot button. The nation’s political and social life is adrift on a sea of malaise where the main problem is how to avoid getting involved in anything. There are plenty of UFO and Conspiracy Nuts to amuse us, but the fear of finding out anything of substance keeps at bay the impulse to really pay attention to the world around us. Spring is a time to enjoy renewal and avoid reality.
One of the worst things to happen to modern US society, and probably others is the advent of 24 hour cable news. This is true because it creates apprehension, tension, and discomfort by constantly bombarding those who pay attention with “news” items of little or no consequence and then repeats them endlessly. The stories are constantly revised as the real facts, as opposed to the original “facts” come to light. We are still dealing with Natalee Holloway’s case, with no end in sight.
Sharon Stone has a crush on Hillary Clinton and basically says so during her publicity tour. The senators are posturing more than ever and loving it. All the interests groups are clawing at one another and yet nothing, absolutely nothing constructive is being attempted. I have zero faith in the ability of the United States government to govern effectively. Neither Republican nor Democrat really wants to further the interests of the citizens as a whole, lobbying groups only please. The fact that legislative earmarks have disappeared from the public discourse proves my point. Public service should be just that, a service to the nation with personal expenses being reimbursed at a low level. The chance for gain eliminated. These are naïve wishes but they are after all wishes.
The best plan is to enjoy each day Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter as if there will be no other day to follow.
Of course there is the nightly news which can be disturbing at times, no one really knows what to make of illegal immigration; the latest media hot button. The nation’s political and social life is adrift on a sea of malaise where the main problem is how to avoid getting involved in anything. There are plenty of UFO and Conspiracy Nuts to amuse us, but the fear of finding out anything of substance keeps at bay the impulse to really pay attention to the world around us. Spring is a time to enjoy renewal and avoid reality.
One of the worst things to happen to modern US society, and probably others is the advent of 24 hour cable news. This is true because it creates apprehension, tension, and discomfort by constantly bombarding those who pay attention with “news” items of little or no consequence and then repeats them endlessly. The stories are constantly revised as the real facts, as opposed to the original “facts” come to light. We are still dealing with Natalee Holloway’s case, with no end in sight.
Sharon Stone has a crush on Hillary Clinton and basically says so during her publicity tour. The senators are posturing more than ever and loving it. All the interests groups are clawing at one another and yet nothing, absolutely nothing constructive is being attempted. I have zero faith in the ability of the United States government to govern effectively. Neither Republican nor Democrat really wants to further the interests of the citizens as a whole, lobbying groups only please. The fact that legislative earmarks have disappeared from the public discourse proves my point. Public service should be just that, a service to the nation with personal expenses being reimbursed at a low level. The chance for gain eliminated. These are naïve wishes but they are after all wishes.
The best plan is to enjoy each day Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter as if there will be no other day to follow.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
I Hope This is The Last Time for This Subject
This is the last time, I hope, that I will address the issue of the mentally ill among us; that is the UFO nuts, the 9/11 desperados better known as Sheenites, Oliver Stone fans, Nostradamus believers, fundamentalist Christians, Muslims, Jews, Atheists in short any one that has too much time on their hands or is so warped they can only cope with life with some kind of belief system that resembles the thinking of Stone Age Mankind. I have had a few emails and have been unfortunate enough to have the television on when the latest insecure nut jobs have crawled out of the darkness and become frightened. Let’s take a look at the Sheenites and those of his ilk. Charlie was quoted as saying the 9/11 hijackers were amateurs. They were not. They were highly trained commando-style operatives who trained in the Baka Valley and in Afghanistan. Bin-Laden and Massaoui have admitted to such. Charlie further said that the planes didn’t resemble any commercial planes he’s ever flown on. It’s difficult to evaluate this statement as I don’t know what condition he was in while flying a commercial airliner; he could have hallucinated anything.
One of my nutty buddies claims there is no evidence of a commercial airliner. Well bodies were recovered, including one of Charlie’s friends the producer of the TV show Cramer. The Pentagon security cameras tracked the flight and crash of UA77 as it hit the building. The crater it left was quite large over 70 feet in breadth and 80 feet in length. Another correspondent mentioned that a theologian, unnamed, has definitively stated that the whole attack was a US government plan. Tell me a man is a theologian and you have lost my interest altogether, I mean look what else they believe in.
Another great thing about my pal the “Ministry of Truth” and “Meta Mind” is that they make statements anonymously indicating that they don’t really believe what they are saying. Why else won’t they be named and defend their claims in a manner beyond citing questionable sources.
I have a brother who has been ill with schizophrenia since the age of 19. I have yet to meet a conspiracy theorist who can argue their points with more passion, conviction, and cogency than he. Yet, he is nuts.
One of my nutty buddies claims there is no evidence of a commercial airliner. Well bodies were recovered, including one of Charlie’s friends the producer of the TV show Cramer. The Pentagon security cameras tracked the flight and crash of UA77 as it hit the building. The crater it left was quite large over 70 feet in breadth and 80 feet in length. Another correspondent mentioned that a theologian, unnamed, has definitively stated that the whole attack was a US government plan. Tell me a man is a theologian and you have lost my interest altogether, I mean look what else they believe in.
Another great thing about my pal the “Ministry of Truth” and “Meta Mind” is that they make statements anonymously indicating that they don’t really believe what they are saying. Why else won’t they be named and defend their claims in a manner beyond citing questionable sources.
I have a brother who has been ill with schizophrenia since the age of 19. I have yet to meet a conspiracy theorist who can argue their points with more passion, conviction, and cogency than he. Yet, he is nuts.
Friday, March 24, 2006
I have a new fan
I have a new fan. He or she, I’m pretty sure it’s a he, is a great example of shadowy paranoiacs who spout off theories but remain anonymous. He calls himself Ministry of Truth and is certainly out there around the planet zango. He reminds me of the Sheryl Crow lyrics “Angels”… I know they’re out there. Anyway my new buddy has gone beyond 9/11 and is presented a rather feeble defense of Charlie Sheen, why I don’t know and can’t even guess. Perhaps it is Charlie Sheen himself, who cares? Take a look at the latest comments posted by him, and then by all means avail yourselves of the sources he mentions. He defends Charlie by accusing the Bush father and son team of some rather reprehensible practices. Defense by accusation is the mark of a weak mind and the inability to present an argument cogently.
Still I like having him participate at least he cares enough about his own interests to defend them and to attempt to clarify them. I hope he keeps up the good work.
Still I like having him participate at least he cares enough about his own interests to defend them and to attempt to clarify them. I hope he keeps up the good work.
Blog Response Comments Are Fun
Please have a look at two comments from yesterday’s post. They are amazing. It is not my intention to denigrate anyone except the subjects of my ravings, Charlie Sheen is an idiot. He has proved this in countless ways including drug abuse, patronage of prostitutes, (not itself a bad thing), and now subscription to wacky 9/11 theories. The two commenter’s are the same kind of thinkers that subscribe to UFO theories uncritically. The conspiracy theory about 9/11 began almost immediately with a French writer having a book published, in record time, that purported that the towers did not come down. Later it was revised to say that the US government perpetrated the act.
My dear readers give me a break. The United States Government can’t get out of its own way; it couldn’t get food to New Orleans. I know, I know, that was a racist plot; except all the government in New Orleans is controlled by African Americans so drop that one. I love the one about the blowing up the 9th ward levee another feat of derring-do that didn’t happen.
According to Benjamin Franklin “Two people can keep a secret…if one of them is dead” So here we are, citizens without real lives postulating and accepting verbatim statements that are on their faces absurd. One reader said that the damage to the pentagon was minor and the fire was small. Further there were no identifiable parts of a 757. A 70 foot hole in a building or anything else is not small; try one on your house to gain perspective. Not only were there identifiable airplane parts, almost all the body parts were identified. Where did the bodies come from?
If the pentagon explosion was not the plane crashing into it, then where is the plane, passengers and crew? Where are the 5 hijackers that, according to this theory, didn’t hijack anything? Where are the UFO’s? Oh they can’t land because we might attack them. Is that reasonable? They can live in outer space environments, fly all the way to earth and back (tourists?) and yet are not able to cope with our pathetic weapons; again where is the rational consideration of the flaws in these arguments?
Thanks for reading and sending in comments. It does my heart good to know that all the innocent and naive are not just in politics. Apparently there are very few people who can accept the fact that criminals, terrorists, do exists and will act and sometimes get lucky.
My dear readers give me a break. The United States Government can’t get out of its own way; it couldn’t get food to New Orleans. I know, I know, that was a racist plot; except all the government in New Orleans is controlled by African Americans so drop that one. I love the one about the blowing up the 9th ward levee another feat of derring-do that didn’t happen.
According to Benjamin Franklin “Two people can keep a secret…if one of them is dead” So here we are, citizens without real lives postulating and accepting verbatim statements that are on their faces absurd. One reader said that the damage to the pentagon was minor and the fire was small. Further there were no identifiable parts of a 757. A 70 foot hole in a building or anything else is not small; try one on your house to gain perspective. Not only were there identifiable airplane parts, almost all the body parts were identified. Where did the bodies come from?
If the pentagon explosion was not the plane crashing into it, then where is the plane, passengers and crew? Where are the 5 hijackers that, according to this theory, didn’t hijack anything? Where are the UFO’s? Oh they can’t land because we might attack them. Is that reasonable? They can live in outer space environments, fly all the way to earth and back (tourists?) and yet are not able to cope with our pathetic weapons; again where is the rational consideration of the flaws in these arguments?
Thanks for reading and sending in comments. It does my heart good to know that all the innocent and naive are not just in politics. Apparently there are very few people who can accept the fact that criminals, terrorists, do exists and will act and sometimes get lucky.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Stupid Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen’s latest comments, that the attack on the World Trade Center was planned and executed by the United States government prove two things: he is an idiot and this is how the left in the US really thinks. They can not be taken seriously. Is it any wonder that Hollywood types are completely disregarded by those of us who have to live in the real world? Try going to work and pretending to be the boss, you’ll get a chance to audition for another job pretty quickly. Charlie’s friends, the Sarandons, are making a movie about Cindy Sheehan. Obviously they are out of touch with the marketplace as such a film will be a financial disaster. (It probably won’t get made) although it might win a Golden Globe just for trying.
Let’s get back to the government conspiracy. Why would the “government” of the United States want to perform such an act? And if so why was the president so surprised? Was this something that was planned during the Clinton administration? The success of the attack depended on the incompetence of airline security and even the hijackers seemed surprised by their success. Bin-Laden has actually admitted to planning the events and expressed his pleasure and surprise at the extent of the damage. Hello Charlie, are you still taking so many drugs that you don’t have time to keep up with events?
The Left wing of the Democrat party is so bitter, and in such disarray that when the anger boils over stupid stuff comes out. The citizens of the United States ain’t seen nothin’ yet if the Far Left has its way. We will see the true American Gulag. These people have no regard for anyone who disagrees with them. They are like spoiled high school students; the mirror of society reflects only their image. If you don’t believe me read their bumper stickers. Every issue is reduced to its basic components and then only with a severe left twist. These people are dangerous and not to be taken lightly. They have no world perspective.
Let’s get back to the government conspiracy. Why would the “government” of the United States want to perform such an act? And if so why was the president so surprised? Was this something that was planned during the Clinton administration? The success of the attack depended on the incompetence of airline security and even the hijackers seemed surprised by their success. Bin-Laden has actually admitted to planning the events and expressed his pleasure and surprise at the extent of the damage. Hello Charlie, are you still taking so many drugs that you don’t have time to keep up with events?
The Left wing of the Democrat party is so bitter, and in such disarray that when the anger boils over stupid stuff comes out. The citizens of the United States ain’t seen nothin’ yet if the Far Left has its way. We will see the true American Gulag. These people have no regard for anyone who disagrees with them. They are like spoiled high school students; the mirror of society reflects only their image. If you don’t believe me read their bumper stickers. Every issue is reduced to its basic components and then only with a severe left twist. These people are dangerous and not to be taken lightly. They have no world perspective.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Cindy Sheehan is a disgusting person
Cindy Sheehan is a disgusting person, and apparently a rather stupid one. She has been duped by the liberal elite through flattery and manipulation to travel the world and the nation doing something, but what? Anti-war? I don’t think so. Feel good wacko liberalism, most likely. Return to the sixties when it was cool to smoke dope, get arrested, and brag about it, another likely scenario. Is she an aggrieved mother? Yes, she is, but she is using her son and his death for self-aggrandizement. She cannot speak for him, his final actions speak volumes. Her son was not drafted or forced into military service. In fact he had re-enlisted and was killed in action on his second tour of duty. He made a choice, a willing and enthusiastic one. Cindy acts as if we have an army of draftees fighting against their wills. This was the idea from 1964-1973, it is not the case today. I was in the military from 1966 to 1970 and I think I can speak with authority. It’s always bad when someone gets hurt or killed, it is going to happen. More lives are lost in accidents and from disease than from combat.
Susan Sarandon, her dopey husband and their friends are extremely shallow individuals who form their identities by doing what seems to be a good thing. This entire outcry about the poor etc. Why don’t these people give away their money, sell their SUV’s and multi-million dollar houses, and do some good in the world. Maybe “Actors without Borders” would suit them.
These people are so distant from the real world they can no longer function as reasonable people. I am glad that George Clooney and Madonna have moved to foreign climes where they can pretend that they are accepted by Europeans, of course they never will be, and that they are the sophisticated Americans the world needs. This in opposition to those Americans who are willing to risk their lives for the well-being, freedom and lives of others.
Susan Sarandon, her dopey husband and their friends are extremely shallow individuals who form their identities by doing what seems to be a good thing. This entire outcry about the poor etc. Why don’t these people give away their money, sell their SUV’s and multi-million dollar houses, and do some good in the world. Maybe “Actors without Borders” would suit them.
These people are so distant from the real world they can no longer function as reasonable people. I am glad that George Clooney and Madonna have moved to foreign climes where they can pretend that they are accepted by Europeans, of course they never will be, and that they are the sophisticated Americans the world needs. This in opposition to those Americans who are willing to risk their lives for the well-being, freedom and lives of others.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Danish Outrage Reduced to Petulance Not Violence
60 minutes biased? I know most people will find that assertion commonplace and some will even say wrong. The reality is that fans of 60 minutes are generally either so uninformed or misinformed that they take what is presented to them as good journalism that is attempting to get at and present a true picture of a particular situation. Another aspect of the belief paradigm is that most people are simply too lazy to ferret out the actual facts of any particular story to see if they match the CBS assertions.
What would be found, and it is the same with all network magazines, is an editorial bias to the left and in particular a destructive view of any nation that is friendly towards the United States. By aiding the United States in the anti-terror and Iraq wars Denmark became vulnerable to media acid attacks. The recent portrayal of Denmark is a good example. The Danes have every right to be outraged by the program which showed Denmark as a society of dumb blondes, which I can assure you from personal experience is not the case. The program portrayed Danes as insensitive white folks intent on excluding people of “color.” The complete opposite is true. Their hearts bleed for the world. The country as whole has a socially liberal bent and is in fact a welfare state as is most of Europe. The education system works and the religious life is basically form without substance; a natural reaction to the religious wars of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Recently there was a reaction from a famous Danish journalist, Samuel Rachlin, to the CBS story on 60 minutes. This reaction is what can be expected from anyone who has been falsely accused and is feeling angry, hurt, and powerless. It is also a bit childish and naïve. The CBS story would have been better reasoned had the actual facts of the Muslim cartoons had been presented; that would not happen for obvious reasons. One weak point of Rachlin’s argument damaged the writer’s credibility; that the US had problems with integration during Katrina and “we Danes” didn’t crow about it. This argument is of course false and distracting but reveals something more interesting. When a conservative American government is elected the European assumption immediately is “Oh look how stupid those Americans are. Why can’t they be sophisticated as we are?” This is not simply a Danish phenomenon; it is also espoused by the “cultural elites” in the United States and all the other “advanced” European societies. Fans of CBS, ABC, and NBC news will never get a completely true picture of the United States (or any place else) the people who are reporting and managing the coverage are products of the Watergate era during which their colleagues became famous and wealthy by attacking the government and society members whose ideas did not agree with theirs. Since then liberalism self-hatred has been in the ascendancy. The guilt they feel because they are prosperous and others are not is palpable and ridiculous.
There will never equality of circumstances or even a free exchange of ideas as long as human nature prevails. Some people have a fortunate birth but have faulty genetic equipment and bring ruin upon themselves. Some are less fortunate in their births but have strong genetic tools that enable them to rise above the crowd. Others and this is the largest group simply muddles along and does most of the regular work and is satisfied. Most people are interested in the opinion of others in direct proportion to its agreement with theirs.
Danish outrage over the 60 Minutes portrayal of their country and society is fully justified. The idea that this behavior by 60 Minutes is an anomaly though shows a certain bias and naiveté as well. It is common to accept the authority of one that is preaching the words the audience wants to hear and difficult to bear when the words of that authority are turned against the very audience which had respected it. I feel certain, without personal knowledge of the case, that Mr. Rachlin has himself presented stories which have reflected his personal bias; it’s the news business and it is human nature to project oneself in to the story.
I was a faithful viewer of 60 minutes for too many years; I stopped my addiction when I realized that a kernel of truth found in a bushel of half-truths and outright lies is a rotten combination that should be ignored.
What would be found, and it is the same with all network magazines, is an editorial bias to the left and in particular a destructive view of any nation that is friendly towards the United States. By aiding the United States in the anti-terror and Iraq wars Denmark became vulnerable to media acid attacks. The recent portrayal of Denmark is a good example. The Danes have every right to be outraged by the program which showed Denmark as a society of dumb blondes, which I can assure you from personal experience is not the case. The program portrayed Danes as insensitive white folks intent on excluding people of “color.” The complete opposite is true. Their hearts bleed for the world. The country as whole has a socially liberal bent and is in fact a welfare state as is most of Europe. The education system works and the religious life is basically form without substance; a natural reaction to the religious wars of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Recently there was a reaction from a famous Danish journalist, Samuel Rachlin, to the CBS story on 60 minutes. This reaction is what can be expected from anyone who has been falsely accused and is feeling angry, hurt, and powerless. It is also a bit childish and naïve. The CBS story would have been better reasoned had the actual facts of the Muslim cartoons had been presented; that would not happen for obvious reasons. One weak point of Rachlin’s argument damaged the writer’s credibility; that the US had problems with integration during Katrina and “we Danes” didn’t crow about it. This argument is of course false and distracting but reveals something more interesting. When a conservative American government is elected the European assumption immediately is “Oh look how stupid those Americans are. Why can’t they be sophisticated as we are?” This is not simply a Danish phenomenon; it is also espoused by the “cultural elites” in the United States and all the other “advanced” European societies. Fans of CBS, ABC, and NBC news will never get a completely true picture of the United States (or any place else) the people who are reporting and managing the coverage are products of the Watergate era during which their colleagues became famous and wealthy by attacking the government and society members whose ideas did not agree with theirs. Since then liberalism self-hatred has been in the ascendancy. The guilt they feel because they are prosperous and others are not is palpable and ridiculous.
There will never equality of circumstances or even a free exchange of ideas as long as human nature prevails. Some people have a fortunate birth but have faulty genetic equipment and bring ruin upon themselves. Some are less fortunate in their births but have strong genetic tools that enable them to rise above the crowd. Others and this is the largest group simply muddles along and does most of the regular work and is satisfied. Most people are interested in the opinion of others in direct proportion to its agreement with theirs.
Danish outrage over the 60 Minutes portrayal of their country and society is fully justified. The idea that this behavior by 60 Minutes is an anomaly though shows a certain bias and naiveté as well. It is common to accept the authority of one that is preaching the words the audience wants to hear and difficult to bear when the words of that authority are turned against the very audience which had respected it. I feel certain, without personal knowledge of the case, that Mr. Rachlin has himself presented stories which have reflected his personal bias; it’s the news business and it is human nature to project oneself in to the story.
I was a faithful viewer of 60 minutes for too many years; I stopped my addiction when I realized that a kernel of truth found in a bushel of half-truths and outright lies is a rotten combination that should be ignored.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Money or Happiness is There Really a Difference?
Should one work for money or should one find a career that assures happiness? Actually that question is not a choice, if acted upon correctly prosperity and happiness are inevitable. Here is why this is true. We all know that we live in an imperfect world, right? Let’s think about that for a minute. In my mind the world is perfect; it is in the lives of its inhabitants that the imperfection occurs.
I have engaged in activities simply because I thought they would provide wealth, and I did acquire a lot of money. I then behaved in ways I thought would provide happiness, they didn’t. Here is the solution, it is simple but difficult. Look around and try to find examples of excellence. I don’t mean simply something that is just good, I mean really excellent. After searching for awhile you will find some examples, some that will surprise you. As you look deeper you will find two more things: prosperity and happiness. Why?
The simplicity is this; the world seeks perfection or tends towards perfection. It is the most desirable quality because it cannot be attained in an absolute sense. The simple act of trying is in itself so rare that it too is valuable. Couple the striving for perfection with an activity that brings personal satisfaction to the striver and without a doubt prosperity and happiness will follow. This is not an overnight situation, it takes time. It might take a few or many years to achieve this state, but with belief and effort success is unavoidable.
The reason most people never arrive is due to the difficulty of continuing against what seem to be setbacks, poor initial choice of activity and subsequent discouragement, laziness (another name for fear) and finally most people don’t believe my theory is true.
Dreams can’t come true if they are never dreamt. When planning or imagining anything about what you want to achieve always make your fantasy the most extreme example of the success you think you want. In a fantasy you are in charge and it always works out the way you want. Do you want to be the most knowledgeable archaeologist on earth? Dream it, it will happen. You’ll have to work on it, but without the dream your subconscious has nothing to work on.
All personal success and happiness comes from satisfying an internal urge. That urge must be stimulated. For some this stimulation is easy but most of us have to search for what is best. This search can be made simpler this way. By remembering that success and happiness are the two most powerful stimulants and thinking about the wonderful euphoric feeling you got when something you did was most satisfying, you then know what you want to repeat and are on the right track. If you look at your life as a quest for dollars at the end you will fail.
If you do something, anything, productive and you are among the best to ever do that thing, money will chase you around. People want to be around excellence, they love basking in its reflection because they don’t understand it. The wealthiest people are those who respect themselves and enjoy helping others. Money should never be an objective it should and will always be a by-product of excellence.
I have engaged in activities simply because I thought they would provide wealth, and I did acquire a lot of money. I then behaved in ways I thought would provide happiness, they didn’t. Here is the solution, it is simple but difficult. Look around and try to find examples of excellence. I don’t mean simply something that is just good, I mean really excellent. After searching for awhile you will find some examples, some that will surprise you. As you look deeper you will find two more things: prosperity and happiness. Why?
The simplicity is this; the world seeks perfection or tends towards perfection. It is the most desirable quality because it cannot be attained in an absolute sense. The simple act of trying is in itself so rare that it too is valuable. Couple the striving for perfection with an activity that brings personal satisfaction to the striver and without a doubt prosperity and happiness will follow. This is not an overnight situation, it takes time. It might take a few or many years to achieve this state, but with belief and effort success is unavoidable.
The reason most people never arrive is due to the difficulty of continuing against what seem to be setbacks, poor initial choice of activity and subsequent discouragement, laziness (another name for fear) and finally most people don’t believe my theory is true.
Dreams can’t come true if they are never dreamt. When planning or imagining anything about what you want to achieve always make your fantasy the most extreme example of the success you think you want. In a fantasy you are in charge and it always works out the way you want. Do you want to be the most knowledgeable archaeologist on earth? Dream it, it will happen. You’ll have to work on it, but without the dream your subconscious has nothing to work on.
All personal success and happiness comes from satisfying an internal urge. That urge must be stimulated. For some this stimulation is easy but most of us have to search for what is best. This search can be made simpler this way. By remembering that success and happiness are the two most powerful stimulants and thinking about the wonderful euphoric feeling you got when something you did was most satisfying, you then know what you want to repeat and are on the right track. If you look at your life as a quest for dollars at the end you will fail.
If you do something, anything, productive and you are among the best to ever do that thing, money will chase you around. People want to be around excellence, they love basking in its reflection because they don’t understand it. The wealthiest people are those who respect themselves and enjoy helping others. Money should never be an objective it should and will always be a by-product of excellence.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
New Life
This is Makena Grace Curley, born March 6, 2006 to Kevin and Beth Curley. This is my wife's and my third grandchild and we are happy to have her. I certainly hope her life turns out to be a happy and productive one. She has a great start as she is surrounded by a loving extended family. This is something every child needs but fewer and fewer in today's world are lucky enough to have. I chose this picture because it appears that she is looking out at the world with a skeptical gaze. I know the feeling.She is named after a village in Hawaii, on Maui, so perhaps she will have a sunny and mild dispostion with only the occasional blustery storm.
I wonder what changes will occur during her lifetime? Space colonies, cancer cure, endless religious warfare, decline of US influence in the world, all of these are possible perhaps probable. The advances in technology are really unimaginable because truth is certainly stranger than fiction. As Tom Clancy wrote "Fiction has to make sense, the truth doesn't" The interesting part of the changes she will see is that such changes will be amazing to those already of age, while to her and her contemporaries it seem like a natural progression. Which of course it will be.
Anyway, Welcome Makena.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Sainthood for All
I was educated by the Roman Catholic Church in a series of what was known at the time at parochial schools. I guess the term was used to illustrate the narrow focus of the curriculum. A Catholic education, during the 1950s and 60s was an experience that I liken to a military experience. It wasn’t that much fun at the time but as a survivor it’s an experience that cannot replaced or truly explained to anyone who hasn’t been there. There was a certain ineffable quality of love and brutality that kept one alert, wary, with a strong longing for escape.
The education was first class. Even I, a poor student at best, managed to absorb knowledge and life skills at a survival level far above my public school counterparts. I haven’t kept up with my schoolmates but it wouldn’t surprise me to find most of them as successful citizens contributing to the community. The emphasis in the program was learning not financial gain, which is a little unfortunate for those who don’t get to live in a convent or rectory. Nonetheless the intellectual life was, as I now realize, quite amazing. The assumptions of the plan included the idea that the students were capable of being stretched to the limit and so they were. You could fail; you could be as many grades behind as necessary to get you to the level required by the Church’s idea of an educated person. We had students that were two and sometimes three years older than the grade level.
So with all this brain power cooking away in a world that was and is rapidly changing, how did and does the church think people will continue to believe in the spiritual agenda? I come to this question because as I was watching the newscrawler at the bottom of my television picture I noticed a tag about some priest investigating a possible miracle cure by the late Pope John Paul II. I got to wondering about this. In Christian life death is the beginning not the end of existence. I began to imagine John Paul getting to the pearly gates and being told to head on back down to earth if he wanted a better seat in the room God reserves for His closest friends. It must be crowded in there. So, do these dead holy people have to circle the planet looking for a worthy cause in an effort to earn Sainthood? I noticed that there were actually two potential miracles to investigate to establish the rationale of Sainthood status. Let’ suppose this is something that is real. What happens after the confirmation is made, do the miracles stop? I can’t remember hearing of recent miracle investigations of the actions of, oh, let’s say St. Joseph. Is it the case that once a dead person shows enough life to cause a miraculous action that they can accept a certain status; something like class 1 saint and relax around heaven?
I have long ago left organized religion to those who enjoy living with ghosts and who earn a living scaring the hell out of people instead of nurturing the heaven in them. All of us have a certain spiritual longing that is difficult to cope with and to pin down effectively. For that reason I never disparage anyone’s beliefs but I do wonder why they believe it.
The education was first class. Even I, a poor student at best, managed to absorb knowledge and life skills at a survival level far above my public school counterparts. I haven’t kept up with my schoolmates but it wouldn’t surprise me to find most of them as successful citizens contributing to the community. The emphasis in the program was learning not financial gain, which is a little unfortunate for those who don’t get to live in a convent or rectory. Nonetheless the intellectual life was, as I now realize, quite amazing. The assumptions of the plan included the idea that the students were capable of being stretched to the limit and so they were. You could fail; you could be as many grades behind as necessary to get you to the level required by the Church’s idea of an educated person. We had students that were two and sometimes three years older than the grade level.
So with all this brain power cooking away in a world that was and is rapidly changing, how did and does the church think people will continue to believe in the spiritual agenda? I come to this question because as I was watching the newscrawler at the bottom of my television picture I noticed a tag about some priest investigating a possible miracle cure by the late Pope John Paul II. I got to wondering about this. In Christian life death is the beginning not the end of existence. I began to imagine John Paul getting to the pearly gates and being told to head on back down to earth if he wanted a better seat in the room God reserves for His closest friends. It must be crowded in there. So, do these dead holy people have to circle the planet looking for a worthy cause in an effort to earn Sainthood? I noticed that there were actually two potential miracles to investigate to establish the rationale of Sainthood status. Let’ suppose this is something that is real. What happens after the confirmation is made, do the miracles stop? I can’t remember hearing of recent miracle investigations of the actions of, oh, let’s say St. Joseph. Is it the case that once a dead person shows enough life to cause a miraculous action that they can accept a certain status; something like class 1 saint and relax around heaven?
I have long ago left organized religion to those who enjoy living with ghosts and who earn a living scaring the hell out of people instead of nurturing the heaven in them. All of us have a certain spiritual longing that is difficult to cope with and to pin down effectively. For that reason I never disparage anyone’s beliefs but I do wonder why they believe it.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Our Similarities are Killing Us
In the long view, a view that is very difficult for humans to adopt due to our short life span, there a great many more cultural similarities than there are differences. This is true especially when considering the Western Civilization vs. Eastern Civilization. Consideration of these two cultures ignores others in sub-Saharan Africa and pre-Columbian South America. Let that be the case for this discussion.
As I type and you read we are still feeling the aftershocks of the Roman Empire, it is likely that this will always be the case barring the extinction of peoples wanting democracy, a certain appreciation of life and its gifts. Admittedly Roman civilization was derived from earlier Greek, Etruscan, and most likely other not so well known cultures. Rome refined the classical Greek thinking and lifestyle and added a mechanical logic to previous philosophies that is felt today.
The effects in Europe are obvious from the various languages and customs, nearly all of which are Latin based. The Germanic and Celtic languages are survivors of so-called barbarian tribes that did not fully assimilate the Roman ways, the same goes for Scandinavian, and even more remote peoples like the Basques. In every other way Roman influence is obvious in architecture, legal systems, political life, commerce, and even social customs. The United States of America is, at its roots, a Greco-Roman society.
The Middle East, or Asia Minor as it was once known, is susceptible to the same analysis. The Greeks got there before the Romans and had a tremendous impact on the area. A Greek family, the Ptolemy’s, actually became Pharaohs, and ruled Egypt for centuries; Cleopatra being one the family’s more notorious members. Hellenic culture prepared the way for Roman conquest and in fact Jesus Christ was undoubtedly a Hellenistic Jew whose followers longed to overthrow the Roman rule in Judea. As Christianity blossomed it moved to the City of Rome and ultimately its liturgy, hierarchy, and laws found their basis in Roman traditions.
As Rome disintegrated slowly over hundreds of years Christianity was used as a unifying tool by Constantine in his bid to takeover the empire, he was by the way a native of Trier in what is now Germany. He moved the empire east to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople in his own honor. This beginning grew into the Ottoman Empire at a much later date. It was here that the amalgam of Christian and Jewish thought was coupled with a desert peoples need for a creed. Thus was born Islam. The essential tragedy of modern life is that the combatants all the same basic belief system. It’s the bells and whistles that make the difference.
The Arabs, Chaldeans, Persians, Jews, and Christians are doomed to a death struggle if they fail to recognize the similarities that are currently driving them apart. All are descendants of the influence of Greco-Roman thought and lifestyle; either in acceptance or denial.
The European system of monarchies and feudal lords was based on Roman governors and nobles left isolated throughout Europe by the fall of Rome. The Caliphate, though much more centrally organized, is a direct offspring of the methods employed by the rulers of Byzantium. The heirs saw no need to reinvent the wheel. Modern problems are caused by a system of political and religious development that was not parallel, or to the extent it was there has been a significant lagging behind in the Islamic nations.
This is not the only explanation but it is one and it is one that should be considered and examined more closely.
As I type and you read we are still feeling the aftershocks of the Roman Empire, it is likely that this will always be the case barring the extinction of peoples wanting democracy, a certain appreciation of life and its gifts. Admittedly Roman civilization was derived from earlier Greek, Etruscan, and most likely other not so well known cultures. Rome refined the classical Greek thinking and lifestyle and added a mechanical logic to previous philosophies that is felt today.
The effects in Europe are obvious from the various languages and customs, nearly all of which are Latin based. The Germanic and Celtic languages are survivors of so-called barbarian tribes that did not fully assimilate the Roman ways, the same goes for Scandinavian, and even more remote peoples like the Basques. In every other way Roman influence is obvious in architecture, legal systems, political life, commerce, and even social customs. The United States of America is, at its roots, a Greco-Roman society.
The Middle East, or Asia Minor as it was once known, is susceptible to the same analysis. The Greeks got there before the Romans and had a tremendous impact on the area. A Greek family, the Ptolemy’s, actually became Pharaohs, and ruled Egypt for centuries; Cleopatra being one the family’s more notorious members. Hellenic culture prepared the way for Roman conquest and in fact Jesus Christ was undoubtedly a Hellenistic Jew whose followers longed to overthrow the Roman rule in Judea. As Christianity blossomed it moved to the City of Rome and ultimately its liturgy, hierarchy, and laws found their basis in Roman traditions.
As Rome disintegrated slowly over hundreds of years Christianity was used as a unifying tool by Constantine in his bid to takeover the empire, he was by the way a native of Trier in what is now Germany. He moved the empire east to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople in his own honor. This beginning grew into the Ottoman Empire at a much later date. It was here that the amalgam of Christian and Jewish thought was coupled with a desert peoples need for a creed. Thus was born Islam. The essential tragedy of modern life is that the combatants all the same basic belief system. It’s the bells and whistles that make the difference.
The Arabs, Chaldeans, Persians, Jews, and Christians are doomed to a death struggle if they fail to recognize the similarities that are currently driving them apart. All are descendants of the influence of Greco-Roman thought and lifestyle; either in acceptance or denial.
The European system of monarchies and feudal lords was based on Roman governors and nobles left isolated throughout Europe by the fall of Rome. The Caliphate, though much more centrally organized, is a direct offspring of the methods employed by the rulers of Byzantium. The heirs saw no need to reinvent the wheel. Modern problems are caused by a system of political and religious development that was not parallel, or to the extent it was there has been a significant lagging behind in the Islamic nations.
This is not the only explanation but it is one and it is one that should be considered and examined more closely.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Democrats Win The 2006 Elections
The Republican Party has committed suicide. It’s hard to believe but it’s true. A group of politicians that once espoused excellence, decent behavior, and the idea that the best interests of the public should be served, have become pseudo-Democrats. As a group they were always a bit cowardly, refusing to stand up to the outrageous specious attacks of Tom Daschle, Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Charles Rangel, Ted Kennedy and the other luminaries of the dreck filled Democrat universe. The Republicans have outspent the Democrats, something I never thought possible.
As a citizen of the US who has voted in every election since I came of age, mostly as a Democrat and recently as a Republican, I am disgusted. I realize this feeling is not new; Mark Twain more than 100 years ago called the congress of the United States the largest, most public aggregation of crooks on the earth. While nothing has changed on that front the country and the world have become much more dangerous. We need leaders not place holders. Representative Cunningham, a war hero, a brave person, is going to prison for eight years for taking bribes. What would be the population of the congress if all were known about the rest of them? They are the most disingenuous, lying group of individuals elected by a public that is so poorly educated that the cheapest advertising and media manipulations are effective.
The Democrat party will be returned to power in the year end elections. It will have nothing to do with their plan, as they have none, but because the Republicans have abdicated their advantage.
As a citizen of the US who has voted in every election since I came of age, mostly as a Democrat and recently as a Republican, I am disgusted. I realize this feeling is not new; Mark Twain more than 100 years ago called the congress of the United States the largest, most public aggregation of crooks on the earth. While nothing has changed on that front the country and the world have become much more dangerous. We need leaders not place holders. Representative Cunningham, a war hero, a brave person, is going to prison for eight years for taking bribes. What would be the population of the congress if all were known about the rest of them? They are the most disingenuous, lying group of individuals elected by a public that is so poorly educated that the cheapest advertising and media manipulations are effective.
The Democrat party will be returned to power in the year end elections. It will have nothing to do with their plan, as they have none, but because the Republicans have abdicated their advantage.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
We Are Who We Elect
Do our elected representatives really represent the average American? Alas, I am afraid so. It is difficult for many to believe but George Bush appears to be head and shoulders above the members of the legislative branch in terms of character, intelligence, and world awareness. Bush has only a mild record of pandering to public opinion which is why his poll numbers are so low at the moment. It is my prediction that history will be very kind to him and his presidency; this despite the fact that most historians today have a severe Marxist, left wing bent. The truth will out no matter how long it takes.
In the case of the Ports and foreign operation of terminals, this is an example of how the congress is really an image of the American people. There are a few voices of reason among a large group of venal, uninformed, mercurial, fearful, and complacent individuals. When visiting the Capitol one may look up to see the flags blowing with the wind, the same scene may be found within the offices of the representatives of the people. These congressmen and senators are job holders plain and simple.
They worry more about their perks than they do about our safety. They protect their benefactors more than their constituents. For example it is now coming out that the asbestos and silicosis class action suits are rife with fraud; that law firms apparently paid for false medical diagnoses (in a least 68,000 cases) resulting in immeasurable damage to our legal and business system. Will the Democrats demand an investigation? I don’t think so as one Democrat congressman moved to end hearings with the comment that “Trial lawyers get blamed for everything from 9/11 to global warming.” Decide for yourself what would be happening if this was a Republican issue. The reverse is also true.
The unbelievably inept system of education in our country is one the great tools that enemies can use against us. Militarily we can not be defeated. We have, and are developing more, weapons that can be operated remotely. We can, and this will most likely be the case, bomb Iran without the loss of a single US military life by using UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles). These weapons can target and bomb places that are many hours from our shores, accurately and with devastating results, but we can’t get out of our own way in world affairs. Neither right nor left really understand or care about the rest of the world.
In the United States if it’s not about us we are not interested.
In the case of the Ports and foreign operation of terminals, this is an example of how the congress is really an image of the American people. There are a few voices of reason among a large group of venal, uninformed, mercurial, fearful, and complacent individuals. When visiting the Capitol one may look up to see the flags blowing with the wind, the same scene may be found within the offices of the representatives of the people. These congressmen and senators are job holders plain and simple.
They worry more about their perks than they do about our safety. They protect their benefactors more than their constituents. For example it is now coming out that the asbestos and silicosis class action suits are rife with fraud; that law firms apparently paid for false medical diagnoses (in a least 68,000 cases) resulting in immeasurable damage to our legal and business system. Will the Democrats demand an investigation? I don’t think so as one Democrat congressman moved to end hearings with the comment that “Trial lawyers get blamed for everything from 9/11 to global warming.” Decide for yourself what would be happening if this was a Republican issue. The reverse is also true.
The unbelievably inept system of education in our country is one the great tools that enemies can use against us. Militarily we can not be defeated. We have, and are developing more, weapons that can be operated remotely. We can, and this will most likely be the case, bomb Iran without the loss of a single US military life by using UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles). These weapons can target and bomb places that are many hours from our shores, accurately and with devastating results, but we can’t get out of our own way in world affairs. Neither right nor left really understand or care about the rest of the world.
In the United States if it’s not about us we are not interested.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Just a Picture in a Photo Album
I met my new granddaughter yesterday. She is beautiful and appears to be fully equipped to start her journey through life. I am already grandfather to two boys, who are also wonderful, but it got me thinking a little. By the time I became cognizant of life both of my grandfather’s were already dead. My fraternal grandfather died just weeks before my birth and my maternal grandfather died about a year and a half later. To me they have always been just pictures in a photo album. There is no way to know or appreciate dead people, and when they are part of the genetic mix that is you it’s an irreplaceable loss.
Because of distance, and family discord it was impossible for me and my siblings to know our grandmothers very well either. As I look around and think back it occurs to me that nothing is or can be as valuable to a human being as a stable extended family. This includes the crazy uncles and aunts, the wacky granddads, and loving grannys. The ability to see where one’s origins lie, in person, must be a great experience.
My wife and I see our role as grandparents being stress relieve valves for the parents of our grandchildren, and the grandchildren themselves. I doubt very seriously that, if we can maintain our relationship with these children, that they will turn out to be problem adults; it’s possible but not likely. Our children still have one set of grandparents living; they lost completely the chance to have a relationship with their maternal grandfather, but did know their grandmother. These experiences, both happy and sad, have shaped their perspective on life in positive ways. They are really fine people, and so will their children be.
Society needs families as much or more than families need families. Children and adults need a safe haven for tough times. It is not easy to maintain healthy family relationships; the slightest blow can disturb the balance for years. Any family that has weathered the storms of life is to be admired.
I am very happy that for my grandchildren I won’t be just a picture in a photo album.
Because of distance, and family discord it was impossible for me and my siblings to know our grandmothers very well either. As I look around and think back it occurs to me that nothing is or can be as valuable to a human being as a stable extended family. This includes the crazy uncles and aunts, the wacky granddads, and loving grannys. The ability to see where one’s origins lie, in person, must be a great experience.
My wife and I see our role as grandparents being stress relieve valves for the parents of our grandchildren, and the grandchildren themselves. I doubt very seriously that, if we can maintain our relationship with these children, that they will turn out to be problem adults; it’s possible but not likely. Our children still have one set of grandparents living; they lost completely the chance to have a relationship with their maternal grandfather, but did know their grandmother. These experiences, both happy and sad, have shaped their perspective on life in positive ways. They are really fine people, and so will their children be.
Society needs families as much or more than families need families. Children and adults need a safe haven for tough times. It is not easy to maintain healthy family relationships; the slightest blow can disturb the balance for years. Any family that has weathered the storms of life is to be admired.
I am very happy that for my grandchildren I won’t be just a picture in a photo album.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Its Back
I see from the paper today that AT&T is re-forming despite its breakup in 1981. At the time I was in the telecom industry at the time and thought that this state of affairs would be the ultimate result. The rationale for breaking up the Bell System was flawed. The underlying reason was a good one. The public reason was to encourage competition and to break up monopoly power. The real reason was to accelerate technology development and introduction..
In 1981 the Bell System dominated telecommunications in the United States; similar situations existed around the world, the difference being that the Bell System was publicly owned while most others were government owned. Because of their dominance the Bell Companies preferred to amortize their multi-billion dollar investments over a long period and so were not inclined to rapidly introduce technology that would make their investments obsolete. MCI changed all that.
The prosperity of the 1990s can not be ascribed to any politician (Bill Clinton) or party (Democrats); the 1990s were a technology boom started by of all people Richard M. Nixon, or at least his justice department which filed suit in 1974. Today anyone can start a telephone company; and many are.
The latest refinement of voice over IP is just that; the latest not the last. Already it is possible to do almost everything over a wireless phone, and with WiFi work can be done almost anywhere. These things would not be happening at this juncture were it not for the 1981 breakup of the Bell System. AT&T still owns Bell Laboratories but has little interest in regaining Lucent Technologies, at the time known as Western Electric. AT&T was, and I emphasize was, the world’s greatest technology company, even now it is hard to miss senior engineers and executives who at one time or other worked for the Bell System. They are going away to be sure, but they’re still around.
The new AT&T will never again be the force it was and that’s a good thing.
In 1981 the Bell System dominated telecommunications in the United States; similar situations existed around the world, the difference being that the Bell System was publicly owned while most others were government owned. Because of their dominance the Bell Companies preferred to amortize their multi-billion dollar investments over a long period and so were not inclined to rapidly introduce technology that would make their investments obsolete. MCI changed all that.
The prosperity of the 1990s can not be ascribed to any politician (Bill Clinton) or party (Democrats); the 1990s were a technology boom started by of all people Richard M. Nixon, or at least his justice department which filed suit in 1974. Today anyone can start a telephone company; and many are.
The latest refinement of voice over IP is just that; the latest not the last. Already it is possible to do almost everything over a wireless phone, and with WiFi work can be done almost anywhere. These things would not be happening at this juncture were it not for the 1981 breakup of the Bell System. AT&T still owns Bell Laboratories but has little interest in regaining Lucent Technologies, at the time known as Western Electric. AT&T was, and I emphasize was, the world’s greatest technology company, even now it is hard to miss senior engineers and executives who at one time or other worked for the Bell System. They are going away to be sure, but they’re still around.
The new AT&T will never again be the force it was and that’s a good thing.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Is There a Culture in the US?
Does the United States have a culture, or in fact any culture? If you ask our sophisticated European friends the answer is yes the US has a culture but it more like a bacterial one found in sewage. They would know of course as their various histories and cultural achievements are well known and obvious. If you ask our unsophisticated enemies who hate us passionately the answer is also yes, the US has a culture that is Satanic, decadent, and one that must be destroyed. Ironically this latter view of the United States is almost exactly that of our far left leaning fellow citizens.
Actually the United States does have culture, not a culture, but many. This is why we are loved, hated, envied, emulated, admired, and discounted. I know this to be true because in my life I have been fortunate in having been able to travel the world and have been exposed to many peoples, cultures, and ideas. In the United States one can do this almost every day without much trouble. We are of course a nation of immigrants and as such we have imported everything from everywhere.
The main cultural aspect of the United States is capitalism which is the prism through which we must be viewed. Capitalism makes success possible as it encourages personal development while socialism breeds self-contempt and ingratitude. It is human nature to want to do it yourself. The greatest gift any government can give is the chance to succeed. All the rhetoric notwithstanding we are a very peaceful people and we hate any endeavor that keeps us from succeeding in our personal lives. We will fight if forced to but we are not warlike. Our defense is strong but its use is preferably dissuasive in nature. We are currently in a situation which feel we have been forced to fight. We are selfish.
In the United States there is a strong anti-intellectual bias. My guess is that this is a result of experience with intellectuals in the “Old Country,” whichever old country that might be. Cuba, for example, is still reeling from Castro’s intellectual takeover. Our own political left would behave the same way if given a real chance to take over; which is why they won’t get it. Our citizens have a healthy disrespect for authority and this makes us strong. We also have, in general, a low level of interest in academic pursuits for their own sake. College and University are simply for getting ahead and making connections for later life, this is probably true elsewhere but there is a pretence not found in the United States. This is the reason high school and college graduates to a large degree can not read or write effectively.
We are a shrewd people; a native cunning has evolved from our immigrant natures. We know how to survive and are not afraid to do so. We come from everywhere and are disdained for it. Ask any German and he will tell you that Americans are the dregs of the societies they left. Americans are the descendants of failures in the homeland. That probably is the case when viewed from the exalted heights of the European class system, but we like it.
Actually the United States does have culture, not a culture, but many. This is why we are loved, hated, envied, emulated, admired, and discounted. I know this to be true because in my life I have been fortunate in having been able to travel the world and have been exposed to many peoples, cultures, and ideas. In the United States one can do this almost every day without much trouble. We are of course a nation of immigrants and as such we have imported everything from everywhere.
The main cultural aspect of the United States is capitalism which is the prism through which we must be viewed. Capitalism makes success possible as it encourages personal development while socialism breeds self-contempt and ingratitude. It is human nature to want to do it yourself. The greatest gift any government can give is the chance to succeed. All the rhetoric notwithstanding we are a very peaceful people and we hate any endeavor that keeps us from succeeding in our personal lives. We will fight if forced to but we are not warlike. Our defense is strong but its use is preferably dissuasive in nature. We are currently in a situation which feel we have been forced to fight. We are selfish.
In the United States there is a strong anti-intellectual bias. My guess is that this is a result of experience with intellectuals in the “Old Country,” whichever old country that might be. Cuba, for example, is still reeling from Castro’s intellectual takeover. Our own political left would behave the same way if given a real chance to take over; which is why they won’t get it. Our citizens have a healthy disrespect for authority and this makes us strong. We also have, in general, a low level of interest in academic pursuits for their own sake. College and University are simply for getting ahead and making connections for later life, this is probably true elsewhere but there is a pretence not found in the United States. This is the reason high school and college graduates to a large degree can not read or write effectively.
We are a shrewd people; a native cunning has evolved from our immigrant natures. We know how to survive and are not afraid to do so. We come from everywhere and are disdained for it. Ask any German and he will tell you that Americans are the dregs of the societies they left. Americans are the descendants of failures in the homeland. That probably is the case when viewed from the exalted heights of the European class system, but we like it.
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