a sense of power

 Emboldened or empowered ? They really are different actions. I was thinking about that when having an online discussion the other day. I thought that perhaps the concept of polite company had been lost to generations subsequent to my own. If it has, we have only ourselves to blame. These thoughts came in response to the choice of words used by the other party I was speaking with. She started out polite enough, exchanging thoughts about a meme that had been displayed. To be honest I don't remember what it was about. As the conversation progressed and she felt threatened somehow, perhaps my stating of facts did that, her language became quite coarse. She then directed me to have intimate relations with myself ! She went on to say she was a lady and had been treated unfairly on account of that. I couldn't help but respond with, given your choice of vocabulary, your lady card has been revoked. She responded with some statement about being empowered and it is then I thought, no, you have become emboldened. I ended the discussion and went about my day. The thought went with me.
 As the day wore on I noticed others that seem to have empowered and emboldened confused. That is why we see so much anger, so much brashness in the world. These folks are emboldened by wielding their " rights " like a club. Having been fed a steady diet of " empowerment " and being starved of " humility"  they are bold. The problem is their is a very fine line between bold and bully. What is a bully ? One that wields his power over others, whether it is physical or mental. I'd say using your " rights "to harm others classifies. That is where the concept of polite company enters the picture. I will defer my opinion in deference to the elderly. I will temper my language in certain social situations, and most certainly in mixed company. Yes, I am certainly free to speak, choosing any noun or verb I choose, but I exercise that right with discretion. Interjecting terms and phrases simply for the shock value, what I call the Maury effect, is not an act of empowerment. To me it is nothing more than a lack of respect. I'm not offended so much as disappointed. It is always my hope to have a pleasant exchange of thoughts and ideas with others. I don't go looking for a fight. It is disappointing when all the other person offers is a tirade of expletives and says little of substance.
 Empowered ? Empowerment is a good thing. It's a term thrown around a lot these days. I'm empowered, you are empowered, we are all empowered. It's a verb, an action word. Being empowered gives you power or authority to do something. But as with all power there is a responsibilty. That responsibilty is to exercise that power, that authority, in a prudent fashion. If you just impose that power, that authority over others indiscriminately, you are not being empowered, you are just being a bully ! That other verb, embolden, gives you the courage, or confidence to act. Yes, the difference in meaning is quite a subtle thing. Why do we choose to say we are empowered when it is a good thing ? We don't say I've become emboldened. Empowerment implies what is right and just, embolden does not.
 As to what any of this means I'll leave up to you, the reader. I only try to express my thoughts as best as I can. I'm just not seeing people becoming empowered, What I'm seeing is defiance. I'm seeing a false sense of confidence, of self worth. I'm seeing people standing behind laws as a shield and proclaiming their rights ! They are simply exercising rights without any personal responsibilty. Not empowerment at all, just a sense of power. 

Normal women

 It was 96 years ago today that eight members of the Supreme court agreed on landmark legislation. The judges declared the 19th amendment was constitutional. What is the 19th amendment ? Yes, it is women's suffrage. Interesting to note is that the amendment doesn't directly mention women at all. In fact it says, " The right of the citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex.  Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation." It was first proposed in 1868 but that bill went no where. In 1878 California Senator Aaron Sargent introduced his bill. It was rejected but proposed every year for the next 41 years. In 1919 it was approved by Congress and ratified with the required 2/3 vote in 1920.
 There were almost as many women's groups opposed to this amendment as there were those in favor. One of the reasons stated was " because in political activities there is constant strife, turmoil, contention and bitterness, producing conditions from which every normal woman naturally shrinks. " That is what the pamphlet said. The fairer sex should not be involved in such things, very unladylike. Women had been voting in state elections for many years by this time. There is nothing in the constitution that prevented women from voting, it was on a state by state basis. Women's suffrage was passed by a Republican congress. This was done during what has been called the " progressive " era in politics. The fight had begun in 1848. The state of Mississippi waited until 1948 to ratify that amendment. It was the last state to do so. Only took a hundred years.
 The constitution did not address who could vote at all. There is no mention of women or the word sex in there. The ability to vote was left to the power of the individual states. Many states allowed women to vote in local elections and state elections in general. It wasn't until the 19th amendment that all women could vote in all elections. The power was taken from the state and placed under the authority of the federal government by that amendment. And that was what the fight was all about.       I'm always surprised by how many people believe women couldn't vote at all before that. When asked about the 19th amendment and the women's right to vote that is the most common response. It is of interest , especially so today, that the original constitution of the United States is a " gender neutral " document ! Amazing isn't it ? Those founding fathers were a lot smarter than we like to give them credit for. Jefferson, Madison and Adams drafting the declaration of Independence, Hamilton and Franklin among others writing the constitution. And none of them addressed voting rights other than to mention the qualifications to become President. They did believe in the power of the states to govern and shied away from a powerful central government. They were very much aware of the dangers of that.
 There will mention of this in the news today, as it should be. The teachers in school will talk briefly about it. It'll be taught as the women's right to vote, like they didn't vote prior to that. Truth is, they did depending upon the state. We have all heard that term " suffrage " and instantly relate it to women. The term suffrage itself just means the right to vote in  political elections and is not gender specific. It doesn't mean that women were suffering. Denied, no doubt about that, but suffering, I don't think so. Suffrage can also be a series of intercessor prayers or petitions. Words and their meanings and usage. Semantics. Well I'm glad women no longer have to suffer ! Well, maybe they are,  being politically active as they are today. If those ladies 97 years ago had only read the pamphlet,
  " because in political activities there is constant strife, turmoil, contention and bitterness, producing conditions from which every normal woman naturally shrinks. " it could, have been avoided. 

survival

 It's a common saying today. It is something I hear all the time. It is also something that grates on my nerves. I'm a survivor ! OMG, if you are still breathing you are a survivor that is pretty obvious ! If you didn't survive, you are a fatality. I can't put my finger on just why,  but that phrase just annoys me. If I get a cold, when its' over I don't go around saying, I survived. Survival implies you were in immediate danger of dying. at least that is what it means to me. The key being " immediate " as in on the edge.  Being a survivor doesn't mean I recovered from an illness. Recovery and survival are different things. I was granted recovery. Survival is dependent upon a degree of good fortune or luck. True, you can posses skills that enabled you to survive, you were prepared, but that wasn't your intent when you set out. Your intent was not to come as close to death as possible and survive. If it were you wouldn't have taken the time and effort to learn those survival skills in the first place. That's just common sense.
 I think what bothers me is the implication that you should be rewarded in some fashion for being a survivor. Hey, you survived, that is the reward. Surviving an illness isn't an accomplishment to be rewarded, still being alive is the reward. The attitude should be one of gratitude, thanking your God you survived. Anytime something bad happens within 800 yards of you and you don't get hurt that doesn't make you a survivor. You had good fortune or luck in you prefer that term. You don't get awarded the medal of valor ! And I think that may be at the core of all this " survivor " stuff these days. Everyone is so used to being rewarded just for living, they are beginning to believe it is an accomplishment ! Well, it's not. Life is a gift given by the grace of God and can be taken away just as quickly. Oh you can survive just about anything if you have good luck, or the way I see it the protection of a loving God. That explains the unexplained circumstance that allow us to make it through accidents, assaults, and other situations that should kill us. It wasn't your time is the quick answer. You didn't survive, you were saved !
 How did we get to this point ? That is what I often think about. It seems like so many are demanding, no expecting,  to be rewarded for every little thing they do. Participation awards for living. I was on the subway when the train stopped, it was stopped for half an hour but I'm a survivor ! I survived the subway shutdown. My phone lost it's charge but I survived ! My thinking is that it may be because we stopped teaching our children about the real reward for a life well lived. The things we accumulate here are mere trinkets, something to amuse until we receive the ultimate reward. When you learn to live your life expecting no reward for waking up in the morning, instead being grateful for that gift, your attitude changes. We have been promised a reward, life without end. That is the ultimate survival ! And you can't get that by lying, cheating, stabbing your fellow man in the back and making demands. Humility is the key that unlocks the gates of heaven. It isn't the garnering of accolades. Instead of saying look at me I'm a survivor, you should be thankful that you have been " saved. " It is salvation that grants eternal life. Earn that and you will have survived. 

a time to start

 We started with, spare the rod and spoil the child. Well, we have and we did. We are just beginning to the see the results of that decision. We have tried to drug the children into submission and the results of that are telling. Depression, thoughts of suicide, uncontrollable anger and many others. But, we blame a gun ! Some of these kids are eating Tide pods as a " challenge " , yeah a mental challenge because they're idiots ! But, it's the gun causing them to attack other children at the schoolhouse.

 We started with other children will tease you and make fun of you. We taught our children how to cope with that. We taught sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me. We taught if you were attacked with sticks and stones,  you retaliated with sticks and stones ! It was a fair fight. Now we tell our children you are being bullied, some one else needs to deal with that. You are wrong to even try to do anything about that. You are defenseless, your only hope is the law. You are dependent upon the law for your safety and your well being. If you still feel upset and angry, even after the law has intervened, it's a failure of the system ! You will be given some more drugs or special considerations. It's not your fault after all, the system failed you. Protest, scream at the sky and boycott ! That is how to get results. Whatever you do always remember, it is never a failure on your part, never ! The system is failing you.

 We started with , "  When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another and assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which Laws of Nature and of Natures God entitles them , a decent respect to the opinion of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. " Beyond the explanation of why, we acknowledged the Law of Nature and Natures God ! Later in the Constitution, the law of the land, we separated God from Government. We didn't remove God from our lives and our thinking, quite the contrary, we kept God separate so as not to contaminate our God with the laws of men. But now, now we are eliminating God from the equation altogether. God is under attack. And, I would submit, we have begun to deny the laws of nature. Case in point, gender identity ! Another example is this concept of inanimate objects somehow assaulting school children ! It is not the fault of the person, it's the fault of the weapon ! Why, it's a failure of the system ! 

 Well I'd say we had a real good system for many years until we decided to change all of that. No need to discipline children, no we will reward instead. And we will reward everyone equally so as not to upset delicate egos. Even when the behaviors are terrible, we won't blame the children, we will just drug them into submission. We will teach or children that the world should revolve around them, any attempt to make them conform to societal standards must be stopped ! We will write legislation ! There will be no " decent respect to the opinion of mankind " there will only be the law.

 What will the future bring ? I don't know but have not lost hope. Surely there will come a time when people are reawakened. Will it take some tough times, trials and tribulations ? Yes, it will, it always does. It is like raising your children. It takes effort, determination, resolve, and a desire to give of yourself. If you are unwilling to do those things the results are always bad. The pendulum swings and I sure hope it reaches it's apex soon. I am sensing a groundswell of resentment and intolerance growing in our country. Enough of this nonsense. A time to return to common sense. A time to once again recognize the Laws of Nature and Natures God. 

I don't always agree

  People have likes and dislikes. I know, it's an amazing thing to some that believe everyone should just love everything. I'm talking about personal likes and dislikes of course. It has gotten to be where you can't express those personal likes and dislikes without being labeled. We are defining our fellow man in that fashion. To say you dislike or disagree with someone else is akin to a declaration of war these days. And then we wonder why people can't have a reasonable, rational discussion. Emotions rule the day, logic be damned.
 I've always prescribed to the old way, live and let live. The problem these days is others want to live in my house ! The message is being misunderstood. I'm more than happy to let you live in any fashion you choose as long as you ain't hurting me or someone I love. That doesn't mean you can live in that manner in my house ! I don't like it, I will tell you I don't like it, and tell you to get out ! That doesn't mean I want to harm you in any fashion, what it does mean is,  I disagree with your choices.     Life,  and living of it is always about choice. This information seems to be a bit of a surprise to some these days. Well not exactly that they have a choice, but that their choices have consequences. Seems like a lot of folks can't think past the I have a choice part. They choose to study philosophy in college. It sounds all heady, so scholarly, an impressive degree. Then once they get it they realize they can't find a job, no body is hiring a philosopher ! Oh man, I've got to pay back all these loans and I can't get a job ! Then they make another choice, open a go fund me account and ask for loan forgiveness. Eventually they end up delivering pizza for dominos while philosophizing about the meaning of life.
 Well, like I said, live and let live. Just don't ask me to provide that life for you, you have to get that all by yourself. Also don't ask or expect me to always agree with your choices. It doesn't mean I hate you or want to kill you, it means I'm telling you what I think. I think a man sporting a man bun looks like a fool, my opinion and my choice to not wear one. If you choose to dress and act like a thug don't complain when people think you are a thug. If you choose to explain everything with a four letter vocabulary don't be surprised when you are not taken seriously. Maybe you should have gotten a degree in Communication. Oh wait, I can learn to communicate with others without having a degree in it. Look in the want ads and see how many job openings there are for a person with a communication degree. You can drive right ? At least you will know how to communicate with the customers.
 All I'm trying to say here is that it is our choices that rule the day. It isn't about getting others to agree with your choices. It isn't about liking or disliking one another. It is about reaching an understanding with each other. In reaching that understanding we can arrive at the best choice for each of us. It works that way on every level. Whether we are talking about personal choices or choices that effect the entire nation, we need to reach an understanding with one another. Emotions need to be tempered with knowledge. Emotions start wars ! We need to use knowledge to arrive at a logical decision, a reasonable choice. 

when facts offend

 I can't help but notice a growing trend among a certain group of people. Maybe it has something to do with all that bottled water they're drinking, maybe it is tied to their belief in global warming or that murdering the unborn is a choice, I just don't know, but the truth is offensive to them. Even when you agree with their view or stance on something, when you present facts, they're offended. The latest case in point concerned the speed of a bullet. This individual had read an article, written by a doctor, saying how the speed of the projectile from the muzzle of an AR-15 did massive tissue damage. He hadn't seen such damage done by rounds fired from any other weapon. Agreeing with the doctor I did point out  that the AR-15 uses a .223 round. I went on to explain I was no ballistic expert but that round would have about the same velocity when fired from a sporting rifle. I even looked it up and discovered the muzzle velocity of an AR-15 shooting a .223 round was 3125 feet per second. Then I looked and found that the muzzle velocity of a Remington .223 sporting rifle was 3500 feet per second ! I could only surmise the good doctor had never seen anyone shot with one of those. Well, the person I was talking with was offended ! I was quoting actual facts and she was having none of it ! The Doctor said it was those rounds from an AR-15 that did that damage and no other rifle did that. She even declared what I was saying was a " fixed opinion " which took some time for me to understand. Then I deciphered that phrase : a " fixed opinion " is liberal speak for " facts that offend you. " It's similar to calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant. So , I then wished her a good evening and left that discussion.
 I have had several folks claim the AR-15 was designed for nothing more than killing people. They have gone on to say it is solely an offensive weapon, that is why it is called an assault rifle. When I point out a simple fact like, all guns are designed to kill, that was their intended purpose from day one. Oh, over the centuries we have made guns for sport, for pleasure and as toys, but the original purpose was to kill. And contrary to what many believe there were semi-automatic rifles long before the second amendment was written. Expensive and rare yes, but available nonetheless. More than one have responded with , that's your opinion. Yes I guess it is, a fixed opinion. I call that a fact. I also point out that an AR-15 or any rifle for that matter is excellent for defense as well. In fact, I'd say the Army issues me one of those to defend myself against the enemy wishing to shoot me first ! That's exactly why the second amendment was written as a matter of fact. I may need to defend myself against my enemies foreign and domestic. The well armed militia we are all so familiar with in that amendment is now called the Army and it is that militia I may have to defend myself against ! If the population is unarmed and defenseless tyranny gains a foothold. A fixed opinion ? No, it's just the facts of the matter. Very offensive to some.
 I could go on with all of this but to what point ? All that happens is my " fixed opinions " upsets a certain group of people. Then I remind myself these same folks are of the opinion there are three genders and tide pods are a challenge ! These same folks hold parades to celebrate their sexual preferences. They don't have any " fixed opinions " on anything. They are libel to change their mind about anything at any time. Why in just the last few weeks I have seen these same folks marching in the streets with vagina hats on holding signs saying, my body, my choice ! In my " fixed opinion " that baby they are carrying has its' own body and is being denied a choice. The same bunch appeared last week holding signs saying, " save the children. " See what I mean about changing their mind, that's why they don't have any " fixed opinions. " Even the mention of fact infuriates them. They sure get mad when I mention any of this.
 I even started my own group on Facebook a while back because some folks were so offended by this blog. Why it is just filled with my " fixed opinions " and was very upsetting. I included a disclaimer in the groups description in the hopes no one would accidently get offended. I only do that on purpose ! It is my " fixed opinion " that guns were designed to kill. It is also my " fixed opinion " they only kill when aimed and fired by a person. Are there exceptions ? Yes, there are but none of those exceptions have attacked any churches, schools or shopping malls.  

control

 The big discussion is once again, control. An understandable response to a very tragic event. It is really a plea. We plead when there is no reasonable or rational answer. To plead is to beg. I say we plead to our God because man has always known it would take a power greater than ourselves to make such things as gun violence stop ! Man is not capable of stopping other men from doing evil deeds. If we were there would be no theft, all men would be treated equal,  and there would be no wars. The bottom line is all of those things are beyond the scope of man to control. And so in our grief and sorrow we plead. It is an emotional response.
 Law can not replace God. Whatever you believe your God to be, your God is greater than yourself. Isn't that a simple truth ? If your God weren't, what purpose would that God serve ? Man has been writing laws since the beginning in an effort to delineate what is acceptable behavior and what is not. Man has formed communities and countries founded on certain ideas and ideals. Many forms of government all trying to control the actions of men. Some have enjoyed greater success than others. In the end most have burned themselves out, their prosperity or debauchery being their own downfall. Consider the greatness that was Rome. What happened to that great society. It went into decline and the government tried to keep the citizens entertained. Gods were replaced one after another. Moral and ethical standards were lowered until they were nonexistent. That spelled the end. No law could stop that ! You cannot write legislation to replace God.
 The United States currently has a reported population of 327.16 million people. There are an estimated 300 million guns. The simple fact of the matter is a certain percentage of that population will use one of those guns to commit murder. It's a fact as sure as the sun will rise in the morning. It is these mass shootings that get most of the attention by virtue of their horrific natures. This is greatly magnified by attacking children ! In other countries Churches are attacked for the same impact. If you want to get attention there isn't much more you can do. Children and churches ! With 300 million guns already in circulation I'd say banning the sale of one particular type isn't going to solve much. And even if we banned all guns and somehow managed to get every last one of them down to the last bullet would that stop the killing ? No, I honestly don't think it would. Those intent upon committing mass murder will do so and have throughout history. Long before guns of any kind were available fire, clubs, and disease were employed to devastating effect.
 But this is an emotional time, justifiably so. Perhaps some legislation will be passed and provide some comfort. The talk is banning bumpstocks and that's fine. There is talk of raising the age to purchase a rifle. That doesn't stop anyone from buying cigarettes or alcohol but makes people feel like they are doing something. I understand that need to feel like you are doing something. Grandma always told me idle hands do the devils work. Perhaps we just have too many idle hands these days ! Could be we need to teach people about responsibilty and accountability. And in the end, you are accountable to your God. That should be the ultimate deterrent. Maybe that is the lesson to be taught. There are no atheists on the battlefield or the gallows !      

a tool in time

 Yesterday I posted a picture of a tool online and asked for people to identify it. I provided a brief description. It was fun over the course of the day to read the various responses. There were several guesses that were awful close and some way out there. Now there could be some argument/discussion about its' true name and purpose. I am adamant that it is a crab picking tool. The weighted handle combined with a flat pick convinces me of its' designed function. Yes, you could open an oyster with it but I don't believe it is an oyster knife. Having opened hundreds of clams I can assure you this is not the tool for that. I would even concede that it could possibly be used to do other things but many other tools can be used for things other than there intended purpose.
 This particular crab picking tool was given to me by my wife's sister Joan. She told us it came from the home of their Uncle George. I can't say with 100% faith that she ever told me it was a crab knife. There are initials stamped into the handle GWC. Those initials no doubt stand for George Willard Coffin. The only mystery there is, is it GWC Sr. or Jr. It is quite old judging by the patina. Of course Uncle George was quite old when he passed away. Anyway, this tool had been put away and " lost " for a little while. When it resurfaced yesterday I was reminded of Uncle George.
 I have been told stories about the old days in Baltimore. That is where Uncle George and his family lived. The city of Baltimore is known for its' row homes that formed neighborhoods. Uncle George purchased one those row homes right after the war. World War 2 that is and lived in that same home until his passing. The Maryland blue crab is a central theme and food. Baltimore is famous for its' blue crabs.They say , back in the day, they would hold great crab feasts in the neighborhood. Bushels of steamed crabs dumped onto a large table, cold National Bohemian beer ( Naty Bo ) with corn on the cob. And yes, it was bring your own knife ! That is why that knife had his initials on it, it was a prized possession. Having your own crab knife is like having your own set of Golf clubs or Tennis racket, it is your equipment. You have to have the equipment when you come to the party or you would look like some kind of amateur ! You understand the situation don't you ? I can imagine Uncle George or perhaps his father putting that knife in his coat pocket on the way to the party. Help yourself to the crabs and out comes the knife ! How many crabs has this knife eviscerated ? What sights and sounds has it heard ?
 So I placed that knife in a place where I can see it. Occasionally I'll pick it up and remember. It really is a special little piece of history. It is neat to know who owned it, to be able to say with absolute authority whose initials those are. Ah, but I don't really know for sure whether it is Sr. or Jr.  Jr. was the last to own it that much is certain. Was it handed down ? I'd like to think that is was. Uncle George never married and never had children. He gave it to his niece, who gave it to me, okay to her sister, but I'm her husband so that counts. I'll record the story of this tool and hopefully it gets passed on to one of my children and the journey continue. It isn't done picking crabs either, I'll use it and think of old Baltimore, neighborhoods I never knew, and crab feasts. A good tool is always useful and this one is a classic.  

       

the plan

 I prefer to come to the point. For that reason I don't always explain each step of my thought process. It is a shortcoming, I realize that. On the other hand I don't write the " long form " version fearing no one will read it to the end. The minutia of everyday life can lull you to sleep and it becomes a struggle to stay awake. Each step of a journey is seldom filled with excitement. In my experience most people will not trek the extra miles to reach the end, they just take a short cut. The evidence of that is those postings on social media that begin with, " most of you will not read this all the way to the end " and ask you to leave a word or something else when you are finished. Really they are calling you out. Are you paying attention ? Fact is we are all prone to just skip over things we are either not interested in or that go contrary to what we are thinking. Strangely, if you do read those type of things and leave a comment you run the risk of being called a troll. Hey, it happens to me all the time. But, that is not the point I'm trying to make.
 What I am thinking about is all these one-liners on Facebook and all those memes. I do enjoy the one liners when the message is clear. It is the ones open to interpretation that cause so much dissent. Snarky responses fly and little in the way of fact is exchanged. It usually degenerates into name calling. The general feeling is one of animosity. That is the impression I get from the majority of these postings. It doesn't matter if it is from the left or the right, that is the general feeling. Oh, it's a snarky world out there. It really is the old people are reading to respond, instead of reading to learn. Even when verifiable facts are presented they are disputed ! It is an amazing thing to me. I may not like a fact, I may wish it wasn't a fact, but I have to acknowledge that it is a fact. It is a fight of facts ! One set of facts is used to either support or disprove another set of unrelated facts ! I see that ploy all the time. Just saw one this morning comparing the requirements to own and operate a car with the requirements to own and operate a gun. The underlining message was we need to further regulate guns. The only problem there is even if you used that logic, almost three times as many people are killed in automobiles every year than are murdered by guns of all types. Doesn't sound like a sensible approach to me. Are we trying to increase gun deaths ? But that is what I'm talking about. People really do need to think beyond the moment. That is where the listening and learning part comes in. That takes a discussion, not a shouting match. But so many have barricaded themselves in their own fortress of fact and solitude that there is no discussion, no room for listening or learning. Any fact offered counter to what is a popular " belief " is met with scorn and derision. Case in point, a " assault " rifle. So many people have somehow been convinced by a false narrative that there is such a thing as an assault rifle they take it for fact. There really is no such thing ! It's just a scary sounding name applied to a rifle that may have the capability to fire in fully automatic or short bursts. Back in the old days they were called " machine guns. " They were regulated back in 1934 against private ownership and sale in the United States. They were regulated further in 1964. Semi-automatic weapons are not machine guns regardless of shape, form or color !! These so called assault rifles, the infamous AR-15 being sold at gun shows and the like, are simply semi-automatic rifles. You don't hear anyone saying ban all semi-automatic guns ! What you hear is, why do we need assault rifles ? The question really is, why do we need semi-automatic rifles ?
 My point here is how can we have an intelligent meaningful discussion when we can't even phrase the question correctly ? How can we talk about that when one side has already labeled it incorrectly and refuses to accept the fact ? Is it because those folks labeling those weapons as assault rifles know that you are not going to eliminate every semi-automatic weapon from the hands of American citizens ? So, we will start by calling one in particular a far more sinister sounding name. Maybe we can cause a chip in this wall. If we can ban one, it's a start. On the other side, the side I'm on, I see that as an attempt to destroy the second amendment. I believe I do have a right to defend myself against all enemies foreign and domestic ! Without the second amendment I'm certainly at a greater disadvantage. Our government is intended to be by the people and for the people. And so saying the people have the right to defend themselves without reliance upon any government agencies. Government is dependent upon the people and the people should not de dependent upon the government. That was the plan. 

consequence

 It is a recurring theme of mine in these postings. I often write about consequences. I do that because I believe it is something that is being lost on so many people these days. There are consequences for our choices. It is my belief that this lack of consequence is a major contributor to what we see going on in the world and in our country. The removal of consequence in the name of " empathy and understanding " has indeed spoiled the child. It really is just as written.
 Consider the latest headlines about the Parkland shooter. There is absolutely no doubt that he is guilty ! Absolutely no doubt, and yet we will hold a trial and debate his fate for many months to come. The big question is already being debated, death or life in prison ? We must consider his mental state. His mental state killed 17 and wounded how many ? The consequences of such action should be very clear, without doubt, and immediate. Yes, I'm calling for the death sentence. Will that stop the next person ? No, and it isn't intended to. The sole intent is to show the consequences for taking such an action. The seed of consequence must be planted early in the mind. It is that seed that grows into deterrence. Laws are not intended to be a deterrent but provide a consequence.
 I don't have much more to say. I'm thinking we need to start teaching our children to Pray not Protest ! The Women's' march organizers are getting involved in a protest holding signs about saving the lives of our children. Remember these are the same people that were holding those signs saying " my body, my choice " and abortion is a right ! Guess those children don't count ! What we have is a people problem, not a gun problem. What we have is an accountability problem. We are drugging our children from the age of four to make them " behave " in a fashion that is easy for us to handle. The mental health professionals just passing out Adderall and Ritalin like candy. The consequences of that is what is driving this narrative of " mental health. " The mental health problems are being caused by mental health professionals ! We are creating a society of dependence ! And when you have a society of dependence and the people don't get what they want, what happens ? Things like this nut job shooting up the schoolhouse is what happens. It isn't a gun problem ! It is a people problem. It is a moral and ethical problem.
 But before it is all over, some legislation will be written , passed and a great victory will have been won. Those on the left proclaiming it is landmark legislation and how this will solve everything. Then when the mass shooters continue they will make excuses like we didn't go far enough. For the left, far enough won't happen until all guns have been removed. The left won't be satisfied until the government legislates every aspect of our lives. One day the left will look in the mirror and only see what has been lost, and no way to regain it. Another favorite saying of mine is, you can't legislate morality ! It is morality alone that prevents one man from killing another. No law will do that, no absence of any weapon. Cain killed Abel with a rock !
 It may make you feel better to say, we outlawed assault rifles. What you would really be saying is we outlawed a "name " that was made up by the anti-gun lobby. You may feel better saying, we instituted gun control. The reality is, people control the gun ! The gun will not get up and assault the school without a person controlling it ! It is really not that difficult to understand. And part of controlling the people is to drug them into submission. You can see plainly how that is working out. Controlling the people requires their dependence. If anyone doesn't believe an air of dependence upon the government is being fostered in this nation right now I submit they are crazy ! What's the answer to everything ? We need to pass a law is the most common response. Isn't that the response we are hearing right this very minute ? A madman took a gun and killed 17 children and wounded many more. What is the response ? An absolutely positively beyond a shadow of a doubt killer is being debated. Should he live or die ? The discussion is about his mental state. The blame is being placed on the gun ! It was an " assault " by a gun that killed those students. No, it was an assault by a madman ! The response, we need to write a law ! Well let's just write a law that it is illegal to be a madman ! The result will be about the same.
 So what are we to do ? That is the big question here. There isn't much you can do in the short term. I sure wish I had an answer, a solution to all of this. How do you prevent people from killing one another ? When you find the answer to that, the problem will be solved. A beginning for me would be to quit teaching our children it is a viable choice to kill the unborn. Teaching our children that murder is an acceptable form of birth control, mistake control, or just because I don't want that responsibilty control, certainly changes the value of human life. I really don't see how you can not acknowledge that much, even if you agree with that process. Or are we trying to teach it is alright to kill sometimes, as long as it is only one at a time.  

Generations

 Generations. This morning I find myself looking at generations. I turned on my computer to see a photograph, well technically a digital image but us old folks still call them pictures, of my sisters granddaughter going to the winter dance. She has dyed her hair a purple and is wearing slacks, a white shirt, vest and fedora. Very cute and very chic. My immediate thought was , she must be one of the cool kids. Contemporary to be sure.
 I have to admit I don't really know this young lady. As is the case with a lot of families these days we are spread out over the country. This branch is currently residing in Michigan. To be honest I struggle at times to keep track of all the generations these days. I do know her name is Haylie and her sister is Sabrina. Gee, I hope I got that right. They of course have cousins, a lot of cousins. There are at least ten at last count. We have four living generations and I'm thinking I will be around to see five although I'm not rushing anybody !
 Ideally I would know each and every one of those youngsters but that will never happen. We are all too far afield and the chances of us ever all getting together is slim. Too bad life isn't like a Hallmark movie. I've never really had a chance to get to know my sisters kids, let alone her grandkids. The same is true with my brothers, although I did get to have a very casual acquaintance with my older brothers daughters. And now there are all the little ones, and some not so little anymore. Time sure has a way of passing.
 To return to that picture, er digital image, I saw this morning it inspired this blog. As I said I thought she must be one of the cool kids. I thought that because of the way I was raised. I was not allowed to " express " myself in such " fashion " growing up. There would be no long haired hippie people in my fathers house ! Oh, I tried a bit and pushed the envelope as the saying goes, but only after I paid for those clothes. Still there was no long hair and that sorta thing. You could say we were raised in a more traditional way. Spare the rod and spoil the child was practiced, generously. I can't talk about what my sister and brothers did but I just adopted that attitude of, I don't care. Secretly I did think about being one of the " cool " kids at school. You know the ones, the popular kids that had all the latest stuff and went on all the school trips, were in the school play and that sort of thing. But now, now my sisters granddaughter is one of the cool kids. I'm related to one of the cool kids ! Truly it must be the circle of life I have so often read about. It made me smile and feel a little warmer inside. And it is those things in life that make it all worth it. Generations in the making. It's a wonderful thing.

gatitude not attitude

 Do you think social attitude has anything to do with these mass shootings ? I do, and I think I can identify that change in social attitude. We have, as a society, gone from gratitude to attitude ! That's correct. Where we were once thankful for the things given to us by our creator, we now demand them. It has gone way beyond hopeful, beyond expectation, to demands. In the our founding documents there is the acknowledgement of a creator that endowed us with certain unalienable rights. We, as a nation , prayed to that creator, for guidance. We, as a nation, were grateful for that guidance and accepting of his grace. That, I fear, is no longer the case in America and the results are obvious.

 Now I'm not saying we all need to be evangelists, but we all need to be grateful. We are given the freedom to worship our god as we see fit.

 The key part of that statement is worshiping a God. John Adams stated that clearly enough when he said, " Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people, it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. " The morality he was speaking of was understood to be the moral foundation taught in the Christian Bible and the religious people ? The religious people acknowledge the presence of God. In doing so the people worship that God. There are roughly 450,000 churches in the United States. That number has been on the decline in the last few decades. In 1990 86% of the population said they were Christians. In 2015 that number was down to 75 % with only 62% of those folks saying they belonged to a specific congregation. Today we are not supposed to say, we are a Christian nation ! Is there a correlation between this decline and the rise of mass shootings ? I'll leave that determination to the statisticians. In my mind I believe there is.     

 It has been commanded of us. Honor thy father and thy mother. Everyone knows that. What does the Bible say immediately following that ? The verse goes on to say, " that it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long on the earth. And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the lord. " I'm thinking we could use more of that nurturing and admonition ! 

 Are we bringing up our children to wrath ? Are we provoking them  ? Under this false narrative of rights and entitlements are we causing this anger, this resentment we see manifested in these shootings ? What could cause such anger, such contempt for life ? When we fail to raise our children, giving them the attention and yes, nurturing they require we should expect bad results. Families seldom sit at the dinner table anymore, families seldom " play " together, and more and more every year families fail to acknowledge God or attend church together. Only 62% of those saying they are Christians say they belong to a church ! Think about that. Was a day in America when asked a person would identify with a particular church. Where we once taught our children to pray we now teach them to protest !  Are we provoking our children to wrath ! Yes, I think we are. 

being stoic

 I don't want to talk about guns. The topic has been beaten to death with little result. The real discussion needs to be about why so many choose this path. Why are people lashing out, killing others en masse ? They are throwing a temper tantrum on a large scale. These people are not considering the consequences of their actions , not figuring to change anything at all, it is a cry for attention. You will pay attention to me ! But where is this coming from ?
 In looking back at my own childhood I try to see what may have been different. Not just what was different for me, rather for the majority of us. To begin with we were held accountable, from a early age, for whatever choices we were allowed to make. And yes, the ability to make a choice was a reward for good behavior. When you show me you can, fill in the blank, then you can,  fill in the other blank. Choice was an earned thing, otherwise you just did as you were told ! We were taught to respect authority. We were also taught to not resent authority. We were taught it was acceptable to question it. Now that didn't mean you got to throw a fit when you didn't get your way. No, you followed authority and then petitioned that authority for redress if you felt wronged. In other words, you did what you were told and complained about it later. If you didn't do that in a reasonable fashion you would be corrected for that. You definitely didn't start cursing or raising your voice as a form of protest ! The adults would do that on occasion and it was always pointed out how inappropriate that was. Parliamentary rules were followed. A breach of those rules could get you ejected from the discussion.
 Really I do think we were taught more about expectations. There were few excuses. The first course of action was not to drug the child into compliance. I never heard of any such thing as ADHD. I'm not saying it didn't exist, I'm not saying it isn't a legitimate illness, just that I never heard of it before. So, the question has to be asked, where did it come from ? How have so many become so mentally weak ? It is a weakness of the mind that causes people to make these choices. Puzzling too is why is it almost exclusively men ? What were we, my generation, taught about being a man ? What has been taught since ? If you give that some thought you will realize that whole conversation has changed in a drastic fashion. In fact you're not even supposed to say things like, act like a man. Saying that is somehow wrong these days. Doing so will get you labeled a chauvinist !  And we have the whole campaign of " fight like a girl " that implies that girls can fight as hard as a man. What are they really saying ? They are talking about mental toughness. To even suggest that women are somehow different from a man will get you labeled a misogynist ! And the result is causing some confusion is my opinion. Of course I'm not a " mental health professional " and therefore unqualified to present a theory.
 I'm thinking we may be seeing these displays of " manliness " as a result of some of these changes. We are teaching our men to be far more emotional and far less stoic than in the past. I know, I know, emotional responses are associated with whom ? This is were I get called a misogynist. The ladies seldom lash out in a physical sense, just a truth evidenced throughout history. Yes, it is a generalization. Now we are making our men emotional and they are lashing out how males traditionally lash out, in a physical way. Could there be an inherent property to being male that causes this reaction ? Can we medicate the " male " out of our kids ? Maybe that medication should be teaching them to take a more stoic approach to life. 

choosing a side

  Nothing was ever solved by running away. Ideas were never heard without being spoken. A book isn't read until you open the pages. I'm aware of all of those things and yet this morning I'm considering doing just that, just running away. Following the tragic actions of yet another crazy person with a gun that whole conversation will once again be held. Neither side will change their opinion. It is as I posted first thing, " and here we go again, blaming the gun " and that sums it up for me.  I will not discuss it further. There is no sense in having that conversation again simply because it will not be a conversation, no ideas will be exchanged, nothing constructive accomplished.
 I began years ago writing a blog. I have continued with that on almost a daily basis. Whereas I have enjoyed it for the most part, the reason I keep doing it, there are moments when I think about quitting. There is a fine line between voicing your opinion and being opinionated. Strange how that works really. If you state your opinion and then fail to respond when someone attacks that opinion it's okay. Defend your opinion, and you are labeled opinionated ! Opinionated is a bad thing. I am guilty of that,  I will defend my opinion. Except this morning, this morning I hesitate. I see the futility in it and grow weary. But there is part of me that realizes accomplishments only happen through persistence.
 This is where I find my thoughts this morning, sitting on the proverbial fence. In my experience when you find yourself wanting to distance yourself from something that's what you should do. Taking a break isn't usually the answer. Whatever it is you are distancing yourself from most likely won't change in your absence. Perhaps you will change. The thing is,  if you return you most likely will encounter whatever caused you to take a break in the first place. It's like an alcoholic, you can't just take a break from that. My problem is I'm not a quitter. I have no explanation for that it is just a part of who I am. Some call it being obstinate. Being obstinate is also a bad thing, like being opinionated. Both of those conditions are dependent upon the perceptions of others. I am aware of that and that causes this hesitation. I have to decide for myself which side of the fence to land on when getting down. All fences have two sides. The good side is supposed to face the neighbor, the other side, you. Is there a moral in there ? The good side is all pretty and nice, looks good with just a glance. The other side is what holds it up, joins it all together. It has a beauty to it as well, but one not immediately obvious.
 I'm not very comfortable sitting on the fence. It is a position I just don't occupy often. I can see a lot from up here that's true. I can hear what each side is saying. I do tend to go for substance rather than beauty. I won't stay long upon the fence, I never do. I've always been of the mind that you really do have to decide, make a choice. I repeated it yesterday, and I'll repeat it today, emotions are often ardent motivators but seldom good guides. This morning I'm emotional. 

high standards

 It was an observation I made some time ago. " Emotion is often an ardent motivator but seldom a good guide. " Seeing things does not mean you always recognize them and so I have had my failures. I have let my emotions guide me and was led astray. " Emotion is not the language of reason. " That was another of my observations. It is really as Spock said, " it is only logical." I have argued some  cases based on emotions and not strictly facts. These are things seen in hindsight and there is no acting upon the past, we can only react. There is only the future and the future is uncertain. It is that uncertainty that stirs emotion and the cycle is repeated.
 Those thoughts returned to me this morning. I'm thinking it was in response to something I saw. Shaun White representing America in the Olympics wins the gold. What a proud moment and a great accomplishment. But then I watch him wrap the flag around him like a blanket of some kind and I cringe. Oh he is not the first or only one to ever do that, far from it. What bothers me is when I see him drag it on the ground and walk on it. For me, my generation, that is a sacrilege. The flag should never touch the ground. I was taught that since I could understand the words. No matter how proud, how jubilant I may become ( emotional ) I would never allow that flag to touch the ground ! I can only shake my head as emotions are conflicted. I'm proud that Shaun White has won the gold for America, for my country,  but at the same time ashamed at his display.
 The reason is a simple one, it is not just a flag, it is a representation of so much more. Also called the National Standard it so named for a very good reason. It does represent Standards ! My standards, my morality and my ethics. It is more than patriotism that drives my response.  For me that flag is so much more than cloth and thread. That flag is to be flown higher than any other flag and is only dipped to honor the dead. The flag does signify life and death. The life and death of a nation ! I will protect that life. I do get emotional, and emotion is not the language of reason.
 I believe there are things beyond reason. Often we call them dreams. Are they reasonable expectations ? In most cases they are not,  yet we are told to pursue them nonetheless. Those that love and support us become our ardent motivators, they become ,well, emotional in their support. Is respecting the flag beyond reason ? I don't believe that it is. In fact I am an ardent supporter of that action. For me that flag represents the dream that is America. And the same thoughts, feelings and motivations that fueled the founders of this nation fuel me to this day. It truly is a dream, the American dream. The flag represents a fundamental truth, " all men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights." You may argue that that right includes dragging the flag on the ground and stepping upon it but I would argue that is just emotion speaking. Emotions are ardent motivators but seldom good guides. Emotion is not the language of reason. Is it reasonable to trample upon the very dream you are fighting for ? I would say hold high your standard as an example to the world. Do not drag your standard in the dirt and step upon it ! Exercise reasonable care and protect that standard. If you are not emotional about that, perhaps you need to review your standards altogether. It is obvious to me, you're missing the whole point.
  

civilty on edge

 Civilization is defined as that stage of human development that is most advanced and organized within a society. America is a civilized nation. Well, at least it is supposed to be, and I would argue it was, at one time, the most civilized place on earth. After spending just a few hours on the internet and listening to the news on television I'm not so sure of that anymore. Are we acting in a civilized fashion ? Certainly you can see a total lack of civility among the various groups. Whether it is the Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives or any other opposing ideologies present today they sure aren't civil ! Not in the way I was taught to be civil anyway. 
 I'm not saying civilization is lost, just that we are now on the edge. Many of us lean one way or the other depending upon the current topic or issue and that is the way it should be. In a civilized society this is embraced, indeed it is encouraged. I'd say it was maintaining a balance. What I'm seeing now is people giving others a push over that edge ! Instead of attempting to regain balance, they are just shoving. All the name calling, degrading comments and general bad feelings being openly displayed are eroding civility.
 I'm thinking this shift happened as we discovered we could use the rule of law as a weapon instead of a protection. The law is intended to shield us from those that would do wrong. That is the way I always thought about it. When someone committed an offense they were then subject to punishment. The object was to not commit the offense. But somewhere along the line that shield turned into a sword. I can cut you down standing behind the law, I can say whatever I want to, it's my right ! Sound familiar ? I'm thinking it is like pounding our plowshares into swords. In the Bible that was done to establish the law, symbolically at least. The Bible being prophecy is not to be taken literally in every instance, rather in the context it is presented. Just like people talking to one another. The Bible is God talking to us. But this is not a sermon or a discussion of the Bible. I am talking about the disappearance of civility. The whole concept is becoming antiquated.

 Chivalry is associated with the knights of the middle ages. That is a long gone practice for sure. Still I think that morphed into the concept of civility. George Washington himself wrote a book on civility. In it he wrote rules for decent behavior in company and conversation. Civility is central to civilization that should be obvious enough. And central to civilization is the citizen ! The citizens make up the civilization. If the citizens no longer act in a civilized fashion what do you have ? It all seems completely obvious doesn't it ? So have we lost sight of the forest by looking at the tree ?  That tree being our own wants, needs and desires. The whole concept of chivalry, civility and  citizenship is based on the idea of respect and service to others, to the whole. When that is no longer practiced the end grows closer. It is that way with individual relationships and with nations. I submit to you it is that way with the entire world. It is a cycle like so many other cycles. We are only seeing a very small piece of the picture.
 Eventually a new sense of civility will be established, a new world order that you hear mentioned so often these days. It is really nothing new at all but has occurred and reoccurred many times. Remember civilization is defined as being the most advanced. Don't we always believe we are advancing ? No one works to go backwards do they ? No they work to afford themselves more protections. That is the purpose of law. The law as a shield until that law is beaten into that sword and another order established. The defenders of the law are at a disadvantage, always. That is because the law is always subject to a new interpretation. We have reached a point in America where the law is under constant attack. We have reached a point where a great many now feel they have a legal right to break the law ! The new interpretation being we can change the law, simply by ignoring that law. A view 180 degrees from the premise of law in the first place. We began proclaiming ourselves as One Nation ! That isn't what I'm hearing these days. Civility lost can be regained and has been many times. The only question left is, will it this time ? One can only pray. 

same old thing

 So the grandson e-mails a paper he needs for school to me at ten last night. For some reason or another the printer at his house is unavailable. He asks me to print this document for him and I readily agree. Of course I didn't read this e-mail until five this morning, plenty of time before school right. I get up and turn on my old faithful desktop, yes I still use a desktop, and open my mailbox. There it is, an attachment to a blank. It is at this point I discover I do not have a program capable of opening this document. The computer asks, do you want to look for an app in the app store ? Sure why not. Like I know what I'm looking for. I did find a program I thought might work , Microsoft word. Seems I've heard a lot about that one. Oh boy, there is a free trial version available. Oh, wait a minute, with this free trial I can view but not print ! Well, that's not going to help. But I'm not defeated as I grab the wife's laptop !  Yes, she prefers a laptop and it does have a program that opens word documents. Hey, grandpa has got this. I'm feeling pretty confident at this point. Then I see a text message saying this document needs to be in Times- New Roman 12 pt font, double spaced, and the name and date centered. You want what ? I do manage to print this document as it was sent to me. It meets none of the requirements ! I have absolutely no clue how to manipulate the document, none. Don't you have to write it that way in the first place ? All the wind is now gone from my sail.
 It's early but I'm on the hot line waking up the grandson. He begins to tell me he will resend and all I have to do is copy/paste and something about yellow highlighters and I say, I'll come get you. I can hear the disgust in his voice as he realizes he is talking to an illiterate.  He's thinking OMG old people. After having spent the better part of an hour getting this thing to open and print Grandpa isn't very happy. Well, he says to pick him up about fifteen minutes earlier than planned. That is all the time it should take to fix the problems. That's what he says. I also had to wake up his sister. I'm betting there won't be a lot of sisterly love being shown on the ride to school this morning.
 And that is how this morning started. You gotta love it. Nothing like waiting till the evening before to prepare your stuff for school. Now you know I never did that ! I will give him the lecture about preparedness and how in my day we had to type, on a manual typewriter,  well unless you didn't own a typewriter, then you could print, double spaced in black ink. I can honestly say I don't recall the font ever being mentioned. The only Font I knew about was at the church, I got baptized in that. Well, if he gets it printed with the requirements he says he needs I could run off several copies on my mimeograph machine, it's around here somewhere. All this copying and pasting too, it's an amazing thing to us of a certain generation. Copying and pasting without paper and glue. I thought white out was a technological marvel. Now, the kids sniff that stuff. The more things change the more they stay the same.   

action or intent

 I find it difficult at times to explain. I know what I want to say, just struggle with a way to say it. I suppose that is why it is difficult to be a writer or poet. I'm more of a builder or mechanic than anything else. I like to deal with hard facts and figures. Assembling words is a different thing altogether. That is simply because one word can mean so many things. It really is all about context. Getting the words together and having my context match yours is the goal. It is not about convincing you I am right, it is about you understanding the context. When that happens you already knew what I was saying. Does that make sense to you ? It's not easy.
 I was thinking about this as I listen to all the talk around me. We are all using the same words just in a different way. We use words to name things. Each generation begins to rename things based on that generations meaning of the word. Take the word Gay for instance. Was a time when it just meant happy. Gay implied that you were almost giddy with delight. Light and airy was the mood. Just how did gay become to mean what it does today ? I don't know, but first it was called being queer. Why queer ? Because it was a different behavior than what was expected. Was it a condemnation ? I don't think it was intended in that fashion, it was just a descriptor. No different really than referring to the color of one's skin as a description. Now we use ethnicity and that can be thought off as discriminatory. Fact is, it is. It is discriminating , refining what we see or know so as it give a more accurate description. Discriminating is a bad thing right ? Depends upon context doesn't it ?
 I've written about all this is the past and will most likely write about it again. I tend to have these reoccurring themes. This mornings was sparked by another meme. It is the one saying that Native Americans actually had five genders. My immediate response is, actually they had, and still do, just two genders.  I realize what they are talking about are personalities. Gender and personality are different things altogether, like apples and oranges. Whenever I see people attempting to use them interchangeably I bristle. You can say I support your choices, that you wish to dress as a woman, a man, or whatever. You can say I support your sexual preferences, your choice of partners. What you can't say is, there are more than two genders ! That is an incorrect statement. I bristle not so much at the choices those folks make, I bristle at the lie.
 The biggest issue I see today concerns this use of language. It is why everyone gets so upset. The context of our conversations are not being shared. This may be in part to the this mass communication we all use today. The descriptors I use within my circle of friends and acquaintances that are perfectly acceptable and understood may not be in yours. You are offended ! We are all aware of " funny sayings " and such that people in different regions of the country use. Was a time when we laughed about that, asking what does that mean ? Mostly we knew what was intended and just hadn't heard it put that way before. We understood context. Today folks tend to get offended.  When folks get offended they tend to get defensive. What it is they are defending ? They are defending their context ! They begin defending what they believe they said, not what you are hearing. And that is the root of the problem. It has always been the problem.
 In 1604 a man created the first dictionary of the English language. The purpose, of course, was to explain what each word meant. Two hundred years later Noah Webster makes his and it is the one most of us English speaking people are aware of. Today there are many different ones. We have ones for classic meanings and then we have the Urban dictionary.
 I wish we could all just stop changing the names. Just say what you mean, or what exactly you are talking about. Take this hot button issue on immigration. Calling these folks undocumented immigrants is just a renaming. They are, criminally trespassing upon sovereign soil, Illegal aliens. It is an accurate description of what they are, nothing more. What's wrong with that ?  Calling them anything else is just a lie. The description has nothing to do with their intentions. Actions and intentions are different things ! You can not make a lie truth by changing the name. In my experience we change the name of things in an effort to make it fit the conversation. What we once called " making a pass" can now be sexual assault ! What changed ? The action or the intention ? I'd say the way the action is perceived is the only thing having changed. Perception contains the context. Change the perception and you change intent ? Only from your point of view. It's a slippery slope indeed. 

A grand parade

 Well all the talk is about Trump ordering a grand military parade. The last one was in 1991 following the Gulf war, which really wasn't a declared war, haven't had one of those since WW2, but we celebrated our victory. Now I'm not a big fan of this idea as I do think it is a waste of time, money and resources. I question the purpose of such a display of military might. What I mean is the  world is already well aware of our capabilities. Those on the left seem to think it is some kind of ego trip on the part of Trump. I even know one Freudian shrink that says he just wants to show the world the size of his member ! I have to chuckle about that, those Freudian shrinks crack me up. Well to be honest about it I don't place much stock in any of them. In truth they are just a bunch of bartenders that have learned some fancy words. To be fair, they do help in the prevention of alcoholism as you stay out of the bar. Another theory from the left is that Trump is Hitler reincarnated. His plan is to kill all the democrats in the night, with tide pods . Whatever the case may be I am amused by all of this.
 Not every issue is a life and death decision. I don't believe it will be of much consequence if we have the parade or we don't. As I said I think it is a waste of money. Being a retired member of the armed forces I can offer this opinion. For the majority of us a military parade is just a big pain in the butt ! It would not be honoring us to have us march in a parade. The majority off us, by far, would just rather have a day off. You want to honor us ? Give us a pay raise, fix the department of Veterans affairs and in general quit calling us baby killers and the stupid people that fight wars for the rich.
 I'm wondering if this idea of a grand parade has anything to do with an attempt to revive patriotism. Nothing like a parade to show your patriotic spirit. Hey we have the gays, the feminists and all these other groups parading down main street, why not the  Armed Forces ! Why not the United States of America . Can the military not display their pride as well ? Regardless of your personal feelings regarding President Trump he got elected by proud Americans. That is his base isn't it ? Sure, those that support him are called every name you can think of, stupid, ignorant hicks, uneducated white rednecks that carry the Rebel flag. Isn't that the perception the mainstream media is projecting ? Those that support anything that Trump proposes are only thinking of themselves. They lack compassion and empathy. Trump supporters are Nazis ! And here is a truth, Trump is the President, the commander in chief ! If the commander wants a parade, the commander gets a parade.
 I have said it many times I didn't vote for Trump. He was not my first choice. Doesn't matter, he won. He is the President and that is just a simple fact. Having been called a Troll on several occasion for pointing out the truth I have adopted the moniker, the Truth Troll. There are those on the left that seem to refuse to accept the truth and have been hollering " not my president " for the last year but the fact remains, he is. The biggest issue I see these folks having with Donald Trump is that he supports a platform of America first ! They don't view that as inclusive. I see it as you can be included if you are an American or are taking proper and legal steps to become one. Sorry if that offends anyone. I freely admit my family comes first and so it logically follows my country should come first as well. And that is a truth from the Truth Troll. Yes, it is my truth not necessarily yours.
 Okay so having cleared that up I want to talk about this idea of patriotism just a bit. I can only speak from my own experience. As a child I would watch the parade on Veterans day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. There were the contingents from the VFW and the American Legion. Those men marched in uniforms, heads held high, cadence was called and arms were presented ! It was an impressive sight to a young man. Those men marching were our fathers, uncles, teachers, shop keepers and from every walk of life. There was no division among them. They were truly a band of brothers long before that description was written down. These were men that had gone to war, fought and done whatever was necessary to defend America ! They didn't brag about it, they didn't plead for help or expect special treatment, these men where grateful. They were grateful they had survived the battle and returned home to their wives and children. Patriots ? Not in their mind they weren't, they were just doing their job.
  Later on the Vietnam war came along. It wasn't a declared war, just like Korea hadn't been a declared war. The United States had promised to help these nations if they needed it and we were just fulfilling that promise. Except now there were those that refused to honor that promise. They began burning their draft cards, they ran to Canada, these weren't men, they were cowards ! That is how I viewed it then, and how I view it now. I can understand not volunteering, but refusing to answer the call I do not understand. It has been said a man doesn't run to a fight but he doesn't run from it either. That is how I think about that. I don't want to fight but will if necessary to do so. As time went on our returning soldiers were called all sort of vile names by those that refused to fight. This was in response to their own cowardice. It was an attempt to justify their own shortcomings by transference. And now I can see the same pattern. Isn't that what the left is doing today ? Name calling and a refusal to face the facts. So maybe we need a grand parade. A grand parade of AMERICANS marching down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC. I can only imagine how many would be " triggered " and the sale of fidget spinners, coloring books and cafe' lattes would skyrocket !
 It could be that after 27 years of this anti-patriotic babbling and sentiment a grand parade is just what we need. A rekindling of the spirit of America. Yes, we are the biggest and the best in the world. It is a privilege and an honor to live here. That privilege, that honor must be earned, you don't get that by default.
 I will end by saying I have been called many names for my views and I really don't care. This morning I was informed that I'm just a self righteous **shole. I earned that description by telling the truth. I feel no obligation to argue with that description. I take no offense. You know, I learned during my military career a simple truth that I'll share here, " when you find your name on the bathroom wall that is an indication you are doing your job "
 I still think this parade is a waste of money and time. Those that oppose it aren't going to have their views changed one bit. They can't see through the hate. They are the same ones that left the fighting to everyone else. They claim the high ground,claiming moral supremacy, but the truth is they are cowards. All talk, no action. They hide behind the protections fought for and provided by the very ones they despise. Self centered and self righteous I see them as hollow shells. Those folks have no substance, no sand, just a false sense of themselves. The only thing that bothers them is when the Truth Troll comes out from under the bridge to confront them. Facing the truth they retreat looking for that safe space. Will a parade get their attention ? I doubt that. 

treatment or choice

 Seems I see more and more commercials on television for drug rehabilitation treatment centers. These ads usually begin with this statement, Addiction is a disease ! Well let's just back up a minute here. If addiction is a disease it is one that is self induced. Addiction begins with abuse ! Pretty simple to understand don't you think ? Addiction begins with abuse of the substance itself. You don't get addicted without first having used the substance. Oh, but you say, it was a prescription drug that I got addicted to. Yes, because you abused the prescription by taking more than the prescribed dosage. But I'll admit it isn't solely the fault of the user, after all a doctor has to write that prescription. Did you know with any of these addiction prone medicines a doctor is only supposed to prescribe a three day supply ? Yes, that's the law but 99% of doctors exceed that limit. So does that make it their fault ? I don't think so, you are supposed to act in an adult fashion, using reasonable judgement. It plainly states on every prescription bottle do not exceed recommended dosage. Beyond that I'd say that 100% of the people being prescribed these drugs would vehemently complain if they had to get a new prescription filled every three days. That doesn't excuse the doctor for not adhering to the law but it doesn't make him responsible for you abusing that prescription ! Yes, it is your fault ! No, it isn't a disease that you somehow magically get. So quit trying to tell me. Addiction is a disease.  
 Disease is a pathological condition of a body part, an organ, or a system resulting from various causes, such as genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs and symptoms. That's what the dictionary says it is. So okay you can say it is a disease. I get that. Still is it accurate to say addiction is a disease in the sense that just develops on its' own ? Isn't that the implication here ? You didn't do anything wrong, its' not your fault, you have a disease ! And what do we do for disease ? We treat it. How will we treat it ? We'll take it away from you, tell you how bad the disease is and give you a 12 step program. For the really expensive treatment we'll let you talk to a shrink. You know why ? Because addiction begins with abuse ! And you and you alone are responsible for abusing that drug ! It's really quite simple. It's a little thing we like to ignore these days, self accountability. But as with a lot of things in America we need a professional. We have a professional everything these days. We even have professionals to tell us what professional we need to see.
 How do you get this disease of addiction ?  You do that by consciously making a choice. When you choose to medicate yourself by either abusing the prescription you received, or just buying it off the street, that is a choice. If you continue in this choice until you can no longer function that is also your choice. You chose addiction. You couldn't help it right ?  And now we will treat a disease ? If treatment fails it is just a relapse, not the fault of treatment. Ask any rehabilitation center if they guarantee results. The answer will always be, no. If they have a successful result they tout that as a success on their part however. Accountability issues ? I'll only assume credit for the successes, not the failures. That's because you get addicted by the choices you make and they can't control that. They can take the credit though when you make the correct choices. See how that works ?  Sounds like a great way to do business, very profitable and they are assured of repeat customers. Fact is, they count on it. It's a sure thing. There is no cure for addiction. That is just a medical fact. There is no cure, only treatment. Like taking maintenance drugs to control blood pressure or cholesterol, there is no cure. Well that's not exactly true, there is a cure and it is called Choice. 

either side of familiar

 We have all heard the saying familiarity breeds contempt. We learned that from Aeosp  with one of his fables. Have you ever thought about what he was saying there ? I mean, what is contempt. Other words come to mind like disdain, disrespect and unlawful. If you are contemptuous of others you disregard their opinions and feelings. I believe in examining these sayings we have taken at face value a little more deeply. Does familiarity really breed contempt ? I think it does when one feels they are in a position of superiority or safety. It also occurs when the opposite is true. The area we try to live in is somewhere in the middle.
 I was thinking about this after reading some postings on social media. There is certainly a lot of contempt and hate being shown there. We have also heard the expression it's a small world. All this social media has certainly made the world a much smaller place. With that " closeness " comes familiarity. We are becoming all too familiar with each other ! Contempt is rearing its' ugly head as a result. Where once learning about others, their traditions and heritage was exciting and new, now it is being questioned. It isn't new to us, it is all too familiar. On social media you can feel superior and safe. No one can physically attack you through an internet connection. Discretion truly is the better part of valor and on social media you don't need to use discretion at all, just type away. Well, the only discretion you need be concerned with is the law or maybe one of your close friends might read your posting. For those that have feelings of inferiority, or that they are somehow being marginalized in society,  social media is an outlet for their contempt. That is the primary source of anger today. Social media is becoming a breeding ground for hate. We are getting to feel like we know each other and that couldn't be farther from the truth. You can't really form a personal relationship without meeting someone, well, in person.
 We all say that we have formed friendships online. What we would have called a pen-pal back in the day when text messages where called letters. I know I have met a few and become somewhat familiar with them and their opinions. Those are the people we share similar experiences with. Those we have something in common with. We didn't have to search for those commonalities, they were right there on the surface. It is only later on, when we get below the surface that we determine the depth of that commonality. All that glitters ain't Gold ! Familiarity can breed contempt when we discover what we initially saw just wasn't the truth. I'm not saying the other person is fake, quite the contrary, you find what is real. It is at that point contempt may begin.
 It is for that reason I say that social media is the breeding ground for hate. Very few really know one another. At first we are interested in what others have to say. We want to see and share. But then we share something that " offends " another's' sensibilities. That person may react to that and the comments fly. Discretion is abandoned. The reason for that is a simple one, social media is not polite company. Isn't discretion what was exercised in polite conversation ? Yes, I believe it was. Personal interaction that may include a certain level of physicality. I'm not condoning the use of force just pointing out that possibility exists and is accounted for in those situations.
 In summary I think we have all become familiar with one another. The world is a small place and little is new or exciting anymore. What discoveries remain ? I think there are no discoveries to be made. The next big thing for humanity is accepting a moral absolute. Yes, I do believe in a moral absolute. That absolute has been taught in many ways, by many philosophers and scholars, practiced in many forms and gone by many names. It doesn't matter what you label it, it is an absolute.
 " Moral absolutism is the philosophy that mankind is subject to absolute standards of conduct that do not change with circumstances, the intent of the acting agent, or the result of the act. These standards are universal to all humanity despite culture or era, and they maintain their relevance whether or not an individual or a culture values them. It is never appropriate to break a law that is based on one of these absolutes. Moral absolutism does not dictate which acts are moral or immoral, however, merely that absolute morality does exist. "
 I took that explanation from an Internet source. I take no credit for the composition of that text. I just felt it was explained there a whole lot better than I am capable of. There are several forms of moral absolutism and I subscribe to one of them. I believe all humans are born with an intrinsic sense of right and wrong. Yes, they are those unalienable rights the founders spoke of as well. When all mankind accepts those moral absolutes as absolute truth peace on Earth will be achieved. My feeling is, we'll all kill each other first. Without actual human interaction, in person, on a personal level, we'll never get past being familiar with one another. On either side of familiar resides indifference and love. At first we were curious, then we became familiar, and what we strive for is acceptance. And that moral absolute,  Love




  

a couple things

 I'm browsing my news feed yesterday when I stumble across this little news article. The University of Maryland is installing " nap pods " in their library before exam time. This was the first I had heard of any such device. I immediately remarked with, let's see, we have fidget spinners, coloring books, safe spaces and now nap pods ! Sounds like a kindergarten to me. Those comments where met with a barrage of derision. I was called names, articles were shared showing how these things increased productivity and in general told that these nap pods are essential. Any suggestion on my part that perhaps this was a waste of money was shrugged off as an old white guy notion. I found the whole thing amusing. I believe I finished my comments with, wait till they wake up from their naps to discover they have to pay those student loans back ! Then they are " woke " to the fact that during their nap they failed to learn anything useful in the real world. They have to go to work, without naps, to pay those loans back. Well, you snooze, you loose. These millennials, you gotta love'em. I know it's a radical thought but I did suggest using the funds expended on nap pods to somehow lower the cost of going to the university. That idea was scoffed at. Nap pods and tide pods, it's becoming a fixation.
 In other news the city of Baltimore is considering erecting a statue of Harriett Tubman in Wyman park. It was a few months back when two statues were removed from their base in that same park. It was done in the middle of the night, by city workers, under the direction of the mayor. Those statues were, you guessed it, General Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Yes, those confederates that began offending everyone around them. The base sits there, in that park, unoccupied. There is a bit of a rush because Harriett Tubmans' birthday is March the 10th and the city would like it done by then. There is a little legal issue with the whole thing. The land that southern generals occupied is under the protection of a perpetual historic trust ! The removal of the statues may have been a violation of that trust and the outcome of that legal battle is yet to be determined. For that reason the base can not be removed or the ground around it disturbed. The proposed plan would remove that base, landscape the surrounding area and in general do everything that the historic trust was supposed to prevent.
 Setting aside all of that I read where they also want to rename that portion of the park. The article explained that the portion of the park where those statues stood for about 70 years or so has traditionally been called the southwestern plateau. The name is to be changed to Harriett Tubman Grove. I found that curious as I didn't realize that the words southwestern and/or plateau were offensive. What I mean is the statues were removed because they were offensive, if you buy into that argument, but the words southwestern or plateau ? If a statue of Harriett Tubman is erected there wouldn't it be identified as such ? And just what would be wrong with saying, the Harriett Tubman statue stands on the southwestern plateau of Wyman park ? I wonder what I missed in that.
 Now I am not opposed to erecting a statue of Harriett Tubman. She was a historical figure of considerable note. There is a trail that runs through the state of Maryland and into Delaware that was part of the underground railroad. A portion of that trail goes through Greensboro no more than half mile from my back door. It has a marker with an electronic device linking you to a website explaining what you are looking at. Ms. Tubman is well known to us on the Eastern shore of Maryland, a local hero. Should that statue be erected where those confederate generals once stood ? It would seem fitting to some but you can't replace history, or rewrite it. When those statues were removed the mayor stated her reasons. Those statues were offensive to many and had to be removed, in the middle of the night, to prevent unrest in the city. Using that logic, that some will be upset, doesn't the mayor believe putting a statue of Harriett Tubman in that location may cause unrest ? I'm not saying any of this unrest is justified by either side of the issue just that both sides are quite capable of unrest. Maybe we should leave that spot empty ! Empty space can't be offensive can it ? Yeah, I guess it can.   

recycled conversation

 They say when you get old you begin to repeat yourself. I have to agree as I do find myself having the same conversations over and over again. This is not restricted to family and friends but is evident on my Facebook page. I'm calling it a good thing, like recycling. They are just recycled conversations preserving thoughts and ideas for future generations. I think that maybe we do this just so we don't forget. It just could be we learn to live by rote ! There are things that serve as aids, like schools and universities that instruct us in academic challenges and then there is the school of hard knocks. In my experience we can forget a great deal of what we " learned " in school and be just fine. Forgetting the lessons learned in the school of hard knocks however can be painful, you get knocked all over again. And that is why we start repeating ourselves.
 Each generation moves a little away from the previous as far as ideology goes. That is the discomfort we all experience at some point in our lives. The reason we start saying, these kids today. Those kids either decide to adopt the teachings of their elders, teachings learned in that school of hard knocks, or they cling to the teachings of the academics. The problem arises when what the academics are teaching doesn't really exist in the real world. It really is the old, looks good on paper syndrome. That can be further complicated when this new teaching doesn't require any hard moral and ethical choices. You can set aside those choices in favor of your personal feelings.
 Remember the " ME " generation ? Yes, that is the baby boomers, we earned that label. Yes, I am one of them. Unfortunately too many of us baby boomers have stuck to the academic teachings and free wheeling spirit of those days. Remember when Timothy Leary was a cool guy and Abbie Hoffman was right on ! That contributes to some of the problems we are facing today. Many baby boomers have never learned the real lessons of life at all. Sheltered and tolerated following a war we were raised without making great personal sacrifices. That's why it was called a boom. It was a time of prosperity in America. It was also the first time in American history when it became acceptable to be unwilling to defend the nation. It was the first time burning draft cards, wearing the flag as clothing and total abandonment of moral behavior was " cool. " Yes, there were those that opposed all of that, that spoke out against the hippies but they were silenced by time. Mostly the hippies got a haircut and learned that you really did have to work for a living. Communes really didn't work, think socialism, and bucking the man got you nowhere fast. But many remain deniers. You can hear them denying it to this day. It is these folks that have taught their own children to be deniers, Now these children have no sense of reality and propose all this ridiculousness we see in the news. Gender identity tops the list in my book. Talk about denying ! But I'm not going into that conversation again.   I will continue to repeat the lessons I have learned in life. I will recycle those conversations with the hope that they are heard and learned by someone. They are the things I believe in, the things I believe to be truth. I am not concerned with being popular, or saying the popular thing. I can read a book and have all those answers easy enough. I can easily repeat what all the talking heads are saying. The challenge is to integrate what is being said today with what was learned yesterday. It is foolish to discard the past and adopt the future because the future is always unknown. If you once decide to do that it will become a lifetime pursuit. You have to change every day ! It should be obvious that standing on changing ground will not provide a stable future. And so I will continue to repeat myself. I have discarded all the fluff, the idle dreams and fantasies. It has taken almost 65 years but life has become very real for me. Time is of the essence. I am mortal after all and tomorrow is not promised. Reality rears its' head and there really is no escape. A lesson learned ? Perhaps one learned by rote ? Is that the enlightenment spoken of over the ages ? Is that the secret ? Now that is a conversation that has endured. A conversation repeated throughout the history of man and one that will continue.