permanence

  I was thinking that permanence is the most comforting thing we can have. The phycologists talk about that all the time. A stable childhood, two parents and all that. I think of it as a continuity. It's the natural flow of things. Natural changes will occur over time, just as a river changes its' course. That happens very slowly and often goes unnoticed. It is only when man intervenes that the process is disrupted. Same thing in life. That can be seen when looking at the big picture. Ironically many of us spend our lives seeking change. It may begin with the desire to get out of school. As children we all want to be on our own as soon as possible. In our defense, it is what we are urged to do since birth, get out there. Get an education, get a job, move out of your parents house. And the goal is to create something permanent. A steady job, a steady marriage, two and a half children and we are living the American dream. Well, except in todays' world that isn't the narrative anymore. Today it is all about change. Presidents have run their campaign on change. We all saw how that worked out, but that is for another day. But what I'm seeing is an instability, everything being built on change. That's why our society is so unsettled, the foundation has been changed and not for the better. There are times when the best change is no change. Yes, we hear the term the "status quo" and have been conditioned to think of that as a bad thing. That isn't necessarily so. It's a Latin phrase meaning the existing state of affairs. The existing state of affairs may be the best possible state of affairs there is! Sometimes we just shouldn't change a thing. 

 It's an interesting thing really. When we are young we want change, we embrace it, we rally for it, protest, and march for change. Then, when we become older we hesitate a bit, chalking that up to maturity, wisdom and experience. We still want change, just not that much. And then, at some point, and that is different for each of us, we begin to oppose change. I mean really oppose, not just a hesitancy, a stoppage. It is usually at that point we begin to look back and desire the things that we changed. It isn't a regret, not that, although for some I suppose it is, but rather a longing for what was, the permanence of the past. You can't change the past you know. In todays' thinking many are getting off the track when it comes to that having some foolish notion that you can erase the past or make corrections to it. It's also the reason many of us oppose the changes being proposed, you can't take it back, a lesson learned in life. If you listen closely to what is being proposed today you should be concerned. The proposals are things that can't be taken back, at least not without a great deal of struggle and confrontation. Those things are the steps proposed that move us ever closer to a socialist society. A socialist society is a dependent society. Equality is the word being substituted for that. Everyone is equally dependent. Following that nothing changes for the better, it only gets worse. A review of history and the great societies of the ancient world is the proof of that. Truth is, there are plenty of examples of that in the world right now. Venezuela jumps to the forefront and Brazil. Cuba is another great example. 

  I do think in the final irony, the permanence of death is what most of us try to avoid. There's no taking that back! In death we are all equal though and isn't that a good thing? Interesting that the major religions of the world teach us death is not the end, but a new beginning. I'd say it was a change alright, something different. I find myself in opposition to that change at this time. And that is from someone who embraces permanence, who loves things to just stay the way they were. Notice I say were, not what I think they will become. The past is the sure bet in all of this, you know what you got. Security, confidence and reserved expectations. I really don't like thinking about the next permanent situation.  

the franchise

  I was wondering if the loss of a hard days work is leading us down this path we find ourselves on. Are we lacking that sense of satisfaction , that sense of accomplishment, that comes with that. I don't mean just physical labor, although that is a large portion, but also the sense that you are accomplishing something for yourself, not just for the sake of making money. We used to have craftsmen, Sears even named their tool line after those folks. They were the ones that excelled at their craft, whatever that craft happened to be. Perhaps they made shoes, but they took pride in making the best shoes. They would rather be known for that than, that's the guy that can make a pair of shoes in five minutes flat. His pride, his satisfaction came from accomplishment, not monetary gain. Yes, yes, the money thing was important to them, they had to eat but that was secondary. Today millions work at a job solely to make money, that's it. They go to college and study whatever, only to get a job making money. Some study subjects with just that intent in mind, the highest paying job that doesn't involve actual work. Isn't that the goal these days? The successful man sits behind a big desk and directs others while he increases his wealth. The things that he does for self satisfaction he calls hobbies. The craftsman combines those. I'm the best mechanic, the best carpenter, or best shoemaker. As a result I do make money.

  I think a great deal of that was dependent upon a much smaller world. We are all familiar with that idea. It's a big world out there isn't it? Yes, it certainly is and the ability to stand out in that world has increased as well. Locally I may be the best but when it comes to national or international, well maybe not so much. Much of our life is based on perception. What do you see yourself as? In grade school you may have been the "smart" kid in the class, but by high school, well maybe not so much. Isn't that measured against the group? In the high school band you may have been the first violin but in college, well you are in the band. Perception. In order for the perception to remain however we require validation of that perception. In the past I believe we received that validation from those around us, in our communities, towns and even counties. Today that validation needs to come from the world! Yeah, it's a bit different. As a result we have sought another way to show our "success" and that is with the acquisition of wealth or fame. They usually accompany one another. 

  I don't know I just think it is hard to take pride in accomplishment, when that accomplishment is accomplished by thousands of others, or millions. Now it has always been that way it was just the pool was smaller. Everyone has heard that somewhere there is someone better than themselves at doing whatever it is they do. A better mechanic, better carpenter, better singer, better writer or whatever. It was just in the past we didn't have that comparison all the time. Take something as basic as being a shop owner. The fabled Mom and Pop stores that we all bemoan the loss of. They took pride in their shop, proud to be in the community, some were the hub of the neighborhood, some the hub of the entire town. You don't get the same feeling being the manager of a 7-11. When you have a franchise you don't own the place, you get to run it, under direction from the guy sitting behind his desk somewhere. Not the same thing in my thinking.

  I guess I'm wondering if that isn't what has happened to the majority of us in this modern world. Are we just part of the franchise? The goal of any franchise is simple enough to understand, to make money. A franchise does that by selling what? A brand or a product. It has little to do with anything else. Franchising was the first example of going "viral" in America. The idea really took hold after WW2 but had been around before that. Coca-Cola was one of the first franchise things. Yes, you had to pay a fee to Pemberton, the inventor of what was to become Coca-Cola, to get his recipe and permission to sell that product. Ben Franklin gets credit for the first franchise in America though. That involved printing his works, including Poor Richards' Almanac. 

  I'm thinking that in the past the United States of America was the franchise. The vast majority supported and loved the franchise. Today it looks like the franchise is beginning to collapse. What causes a franchise to collapse? People no longer want the product would have to be at the top of the list. And what product does the United States of America offer? Opportunity is the answer. For two hundred years people have come to America in pursuit of a dream. The details of that dream may differ somewhat but the goal was the same, to become an American, become successful and live free. Thing is, you have to be willing to work for that. It comes at a personal cost, one of hard work, determination and perseverance! Today there are those that are not willing to do any of that, instead insisting they  are entitled. Those folks are willing to sell the franchise to the highest bidder. China is in the market I hear. Another reason a franchise goes out of business? They run out of cash! No longer able to support their "franchisees" they are forced to just close the door. It begins with debt. It ends with debt.    

conditional independence

   Yesterday the CDC made the big announcement. If you are fully vaccinated you can go outside without a mask! That was announced as a big step forward, bringing us closer to the Fourth of July, Independence Day. That's the new goal, independence. Well, you can join in as long as you comply, a sort of conditional independence. It's no longer Liberty for All, now it will be liberty for those who comply with Dr. Faucci and the CDC. If you are not fully vaccinated, and fully can mean three of more injections, you are still required to wear the mask. I see that rule as no different than being forced to wear the scarlet letter only this time it's the scarlet mask! It's sole purpose is to inform those around you about your private medical choices. I recall a time in America when your medical record was private. It was protected information and now I'm supposed to advertise my condition or lack of it? The president generally implying I wouldn't be patriotic unless I comply. You must be loyal to the political party, do as they instruct or you are against them! You must get vaccinated to regain your freedom! You will not be required to show proof of eligibility to vote for that party though. 

  Now I often hear the reason for all of that is to protect innocent lives. Those that aren't vaccinated could catch the virus from you. Strangely the same people so concerned with other lives fully support the whole abortion thing, that's fine, that's a choice. It's not a choice however if I choose not to be injected with some concoction that is reputed to give me immunity, or at least make me less likely to die from a virus, that is morphing every day, no choice in that though. I'm being directed to, just trust the science. That same science has known about a coronavirus for hundreds of years and still there is no effective vaccine against it, it's called the common cold! But, yeah I'm trusting science on this one alright. Well on the plus side I guess the mere mention of covid 19 has all but made the seasonal flu disappear, the science of that is what?

  But yesterday we were promised more freedom. Many are excited about that, like puppies getting a treat, thank you. We were warned though, non compliance and we will have that right taken away! Yes it is conditional. The government will decide when you can have freedom, don't be getting any foolish notion that you have a say in that. They took it away before and will do so again! It'll be easier next time, promise the people another stimulus check and they will go along peacefully.  Already there are thousands of people refusing to go back to work having had a taste of dependence, and liking that. Money for nothing, Just do as you are told and you will receive your allowance. For a while anyway, until the government gains full control over all of that. In Germany the party was called the National Socialist German Workers. Their goals were the same as what we are hearing today. It'll be wonderful, everyone gets their share. And it was working too, until the government seized all the power and started making all the decisions. It was at that point they became known as Nazi's. Anyone opposing was eliminated. Freedom was conditional! Comply with the government mandates or be eliminated. Yes, it was a promise of prosperity, of fair and equal treatment that led so many to back the idea of Socialism. That has always been the promise of socialism and it has failed every single time. Trust the science. Political science. Socialism never works and never will. That's simply because socialism relies on compliance, not independent thought. If you want to excel you have to be better than others, not equal. Stinks if you aren't the others. But, you can be equally miserable, equally dependent upon the government, so there's that. 

 

under the circumstances

  It's an amazing thing, the other side of town. That's a thought I had this morning while thinking about what to write. Most days I do have to give that some thought before the fingers hit the keys. I really don't wake up with all these thoughts in my head. I do find my thoughts are clearest in the morning though, before the world has had a chance to annoy me. Get out there and mingle with the general population and you will get annoyed, saddened and disillusioned. And all of that is before you even speak to anyone. Got to say there are some real freaks walking around out there. But that's being judgmental right? Well I know for a fact the circus isn't in town so I have no other way to explain that. 

  Anyway, I was thinking about the other side of town as a metaphor for knowing how those not in your social circle live. We all live in a rather small circle and feel uncomfortable outside of that. It isn't something we give a lot of thought too, it's just the natural course of things. The reason is a simple one, the familiar is what makes us comfortable. The unfamiliar may entertain us, but usually comes with a little fear as well. Maybe fear isn't the correct word, perhaps uncertainty is a better choice. When we are uncertain we do hesitate, become reserved, and sometimes unreceptive. It a normal human reaction, a survival instinct really. It's the reason greetings are the way they are, most beginning with a show of open hands. See no weapons. I don't know you and so I won't place my trust in you. Just natural. 

  It's also true that we tend to be protective when others enter our space, our little circle. We will defend ourselves, our friends, and our society. and make no mistake about that each of us live within a micro-society, although I dislike such terms, it just sounds haughty-tooty. But it is true, just read some Facebook posts and the comments that follow if you have any doubt about that. It works that way in the real world as well, just with a different set of parameters. No way can you be as aggressive in the real world. Well, alright you can, but you're asking for it. As a result we often do not get to know how others perceive the world, we are too busy defending ours. Again, a natural thing. 

  In years past when I was growing up in my little hometown we did have neighborhoods. You didn't go to other neighborhoods very often. It wasn't a cultural thing, it was just a matter of practicality. I played with the kids in my neighborhood. The kids in my neighborhood all belonged to the same social group and mostly of the same race. Wasn't anything based in racism, it was based in life and circumstance. And back in those days people, for the most part, were happy with that situation. That was of course in the North, in a rural community, were segregation and all that wasn't prevalent. Fact is, any of that was rarely spoken about, everyone just went about their lives. I don't want to say I had black friends or Hispanic friends that just sounds so phony. No, I had friends and some didn't look like me. Yup, they were different. We sometimes laughed about that, a nervous laugh perhaps, but it was an a acknowledgement. It was a start. You could say a lowering of the defense. Once you get past being nervous, you become comfortable. 

  Still none of those friends lived in my neighborhood, they lived on the other side of town. I don't mean that literally. Some lived just a few blocks away, although I didn't know what a block was as a kid, our town didn't have blocks it wasn't New York City. We didn't have ghettoes, we did have neighborhoods although not well defined ones. There was "upstreet" and below the bridge for the most part. Town folks and those that didn't live in town. And we had hamlets, small clusters of folks engaged in a common occupation for the most part. I wasn't aware they were hamlets, they were just different places in town. Other sides of town and the people that lived there were different somehow, true even when those people were related to you! Almost like those cliques in high school, each a little different. They lived in a different neighborhood.

  Today we find ourselves engaged in making everything equitable. There is a great deal of talk about being equal. The problem, as I see it is, you can't make circumstances equal. Each of us are born into a set of circumstances that we have absolutely no control over. Our economic position, our social position, our gender, our race, and a host of other circumstances. Our job is to learn to live within those circumstances and take action to change whatever circumstance we are uncomfortable with. No one can do that for you! It is the choices you make that will determine the outcome. Yes, yes there will be obstacles. Not everyone is going to join you, agree with you, support you, or even simply leave you alone. No, for the most part others will attempt to recruit you in reaching their goals. They want you to move to their neighborhood not move into yours. 

  I'm just saying you can't control where you begin. The only thing you can change is the outcome. Even then you have to accept the circumstances of your choices. With each choice there is accountability. Same as Newtons' third law says, for every action there is a reaction. That reaction is the circumstance of your decision. The reaction isn't always what we expect it to be. Others get to decide circumstance! Yes, it's a frustration alright, but a fact of life, others will determine your circumstance. That begins at birth and continues your entire life. You can't change that no matter how much you rebel against it. What is your circumstance? How did you arrive where you are at this moment? Can you change that? No, you can't change the past, only decide to make different choices in the future. In doing so you will find yourself in a new set of circumstances. Thing is, you don't get to decide what they are. that will depend upon the reaction of others. That's how it works.   

a little bird told me

  Seems like a lot of people are getting in trouble with that twitter stuff. I opened a twitter account a long time back but don't recall ever making a tweet. The last I heard was that LeBron James was in trouble for his tweet. Post and delete and still in trouble. I guess, at least with those celebrity types, people really are hanging on every word they say, or should I say hanging on the branches, you know, because its' a tweet and birds tweet. Well maybe that isn't working. Well whatever the case is, I'm guess I should be happy I don't use twitter. I'm no celebrity so my stuff would be there for a while before anyone got upset, but someone would get upset sooner or later. Would I delete it? Nope, if I posted it I leave it there. Never have been much on taking it back. My advice to those folks is to think before you tweet. I do find it a bit amusing though. I wonder how you can be famous and not realize that whatever you say will be scrutinized. You would think they would be smart enough to just say nothing at all but some just can't seem to be quiet. Hey, with me, I don't believe anything I say will make much of a difference, no great impact on society, but those folks do have a responsibility. Like it or not that comes with fame and fortune. It's a funny thing really but if I became a multi-millionaire I'm certain my blogs would be more widely read, quoted even. Yes they would, if others felt there was something to gain from that. They do it with celebrities all the time. Talent, money and fame doesn't make anyone any smarter! 

  After Trump and the incident of January the 6th the main story in the news was about all of that. Supposedly there are groups of white conservatives attempting to overthrow the government. They stormed the capital and were just barely stopped. Almost had to let Nancy Pelosi lose on them! But that has died down somewhat and I was wondering what was next. Well it's become obvious now, reforming the policing in America is the next thing on the agenda. Now we all realize that you need to have a police department, no one believes otherwise despite the rhetoric. Thing is if we can bring the police departments under a central power, a centralized control, their actions and more importantly reactions can be controlled. Political control of the Police, yeah that sounds great doesn't it? It does as long as you hold the power. The best way to hold power to to control the people you want power over. That can be accomplished in several ways. First and foremost is dependence, make the people dependent upon you for survival. Control the food, housing, medical care and their ability to rise up the ranks in society.  When they begin to rebel against that, even just a bit, control the reaction to that. You can do that by providing "protected" status. After all, it's not their fault is it? No, it will never be the fault of those people, not the ones keeping you in the seat of power. Concessions will be made disguised as entitlements. The justification for those entitlements are easy enough to make, to have the people believe. It's really as simple as asking. Should you get a raise? Do you deserve that? How many would say, no, I really shouldn't get a raise, that's my point. It's great to be the victim isn't it? Sure is, as long as you are rewarded for that. 

  Are there any conservative voices on twitter? Now I admit I don't know anything about twitter or its participants. All I hear is a lot of celebrities saying stupid stuff and getting themselves in trouble. Trump was on twitter a lot, that much I know. I didn't think that was very smart of him either but he must be infected with the same thinking as other rich and famous people. Just couldn't keep his mouth shut either. Of course, to be fair I'm neither rich or famous and have trouble with that too. Maybe it doesn't have anything to do with fame or money, just a thought. Does twitter ban anyone? Can you be put in a cage? Another bird reference there. I guess so because seems like I heard they locked Trumps account and a few others. Censorship? You could call it that or you could call it control, same thing. 

  Well if nothing else it is a source of some pretty funny memes on Facebook. What we used to call political satire is now social commentary. Society has changed and so too the conversation. I don't think todays' conversationalist are nearly as skilled as in the old days. Conversation was an art. Subtleties would go unnoticed, sometimes for days, before the listener understood what had been said. Today people just hit each other over the head with their opinions. Some read to respond. That's the only reason they are on twitter or Facebook. Some are looking for conversation, and others for a fight. Where did you hear that? A little bird told me. I used to hear that every now and again when a juicy bit of gossip was told. Twitter, tweets and gossip. Difference is today we identify the species, location, and name of the "little" bird that does that telling. 

retaining value

  I have old photographs of people I never knew to remind me of the past. Faces and places recorded on film, printed on various papers and formats. All were precious at the moment they were taken, the people happy, proud to have their picture taken. Pictures taken for every reason under the sun. In the beginning they were a rare and expensive thing, immediate family heirlooms, at least to the living they were. Succeeding generations may or may not have kept those treasures. There really is no telling were time will take some things. I am very fortunate to have a precious few handed down and identified. All too often those pictures lose their identity and the value is deeply diminished. It is always a sad sight to see old pictures in the trash, I want to pull them out, save them, even when I have no idea who those folks may have been. Today we take pictures constantly, preserved in a digital format for the most part, I expect a very small percentage of them are ever printed. Will those digital images be handed down? I do wonder about that. Certainly the technology will be available to view them but how many people will have that tech? Could you play a 45rpm record right now? I mean without having to go purchase a means to do so? I have cd's today and no way to open them. It could be just my lack of technical proficiency. Whatever the case those pictures stand a good chance of being lost. 

 I am often reminded of all that because of the pictures I do have on my walls. The vast majority of them are my ancestors and descendants. Yes I have a few that are art, if that is what you wish to label it, but my art holds no monetary value whatsoever. I just call them, pictures. Pictures are different than art, right? If you have a 100,000 dollar Banksy or whatever would you call it a picture? Well no matter what you call it if you enjoy looking at it that's fine. I'm just saying my walls are filed with memories for the most part. It's my house and so I want to feel comfortable in that space. I'm comfy with those old faces and happy with the new ones. 

 Now living across the street from the funeral home I am aware of the coming and going. Yeah it sounds a little morbid I suppose, but it is a fact of life, people pass away. The town were I live has a population of about 2000 and I have to say the undertaker stays busy. I realize that not all of those folks live in the town but still it strikes me so many are laid to rest. I do see the mourners coming and going. In these covid times the number has been reduced I'm certain of that. I have seen a few where there were folks lined up outside waiting their turn. The biggest indicator is the number of cars in the parking lot. I have seen those with just a few and those that were overflowing the lot, All those folks coming to say goodbye. And it is in that I wonder, how long will their picture last? I'm certain they will not be forgotten by those that loved them in life, and I'm certain their spouses, children or grandchildren will keep their picture safe. But I'm wondering about future generations, will they survive time? I do have my second great mothers picture but that is as far back as I can go in photographs. I wonder how many other pictures of that lady even exist today? Other family members may have some I can't say for certain. The pictures that interest me the most are those direct ancestors and descendants of my immediate family. I'm thinking that is probably true for the majority of us. 

 Now having written about this on several occasions I find my attitude remains unchanged. It's all important to me. I find myself staring at the photographs sometimes, wondering, questioning what they may have been thinking at that moment. The older ones are all posed so I would imagine that is what was on their mind, how do I look? Later on there are casual shots which are my favorites. Even those casual shots are somewhat posed though and it is the moment captured that I remember when looking at them. I do have some completely candid shots that are the best ever. Those are difficult to get but becoming easier over time and with new technology. 

 Today we tend to take pictures of just about everything and anything. I take pictures of what I eat, a planter or something I baked, just whatever I'm occupied with at the moment. That is solely because it can be done so quickly and cheaply. All those pictures captured in digital form. It will be funny if years from now those pictures are rediscovered. What the heck? Why is there a picture of this sorry looking meatloaf? And just what was Grandpa thinking when he took that one? I don't think they will hanging any of those on their walls. Still they are a record aren't they? Yes, an archive to be studied full of wonder and speculation. That's how I always felt when Dad pulled out his scrapbook from the war or Mom showed me pictures of strange people in strange clothes that she said were my relatives. And today I have many of them on my walls looking at me, wonder what they think about all of that? The value is retained in the memories, either directly or through that mystical veil we call time. Just as we live as long as our name is spoken, so too we live as long as we are identified in those pictures, those images. Time can cloud them over and you become lost. That's what I believe anyway.       

escape

  Talking with the wife she points out that I say, in the old days. quite a bit. More so, she tells me, the last few months. My response was, well I am talking about things from fifty years ago, things that took place in the last century. We are, after all two decades into the 21st century. Yeah, the old days. But I was thinking out loud about what the kids today are doing. I guess they still have dances, my granddaughter was showing Grandma her prom dress, but what dances do they do? I realize I'm not paying attention but seems to me in the old days our parents and grandparents at least knew about the latest dance craze. They were called a craze because the old people thought they were crazy! Well, that's always been a generational thing I suppose. I've heard my mother talk the dances she did as a young girl, one called the big apple or some such. Still she knew about the twist, the monkey, and all those dances I did, well truth be told I'm wasn't a dancer but knew about them anyway. The last dance craze I can recall was country line dancing, although I'm not certain the school kids were doing that. I'm totally out of that loop. Just what are the kids doing these days? 

  That conversation led to the music. Again I have to say I'm not hip to the latest scene. Do they still have bands? I've heard about those boy bands that were so popular but was confused, none of the band members were playing instruments. Acapella bands? Well, not really because they do have backing tracks sometimes, I don't know anything about that though, as I said, confusing. Apparently the trend these days, the big thing, is a DJ. I'm still trying to figure out how a DJ becomes a star. In my view all they are doing is playing records. Yes it's nice when the DJ is friendly and personable, but like the original disc jockey I want to hear the music more than him or her. I hated that, there you are waiting for your favorite song to come on, your finger is on the record button of that cassette deck and it starts. Then the disc jockey is talking, making some stupid comments and ruins the whole thing! Be quiet and just play the music! I'm guessing there has to be bands out there somewhere. I do watch Austin city limits sometimes. If they are the current bands I can understand why they aren't real popular with the mainstream. The ones I've seen on there are pretty strange. No Willie Nelson, no Stevie Ray Vaughn, no Lorretta Lynn or Asleep at the Wheel. I did see that Billie Eilish on there. Have to say I wasn't impressed. I'd say that person is about as contemporary as I can get as far as knowing who someone is. I've also heard of Ed Sheeran although I couldn't tell you a single song either of them did. 

  Well I guess that is what happens when you live in the old days. I have my favorites that I listen too over and over. I never was much on dancing so I certainly don't miss any of that. I was always too self conscious to dance without the confidence of adult beverages. But ironically consuming adult beverages doesn't really make you more agile or remember the steps, so not much help. Of course, with enough alcohol you just don't care anyway. Yeah, the old days. They were a lot of fun when we remember them, not so much when we were living them. Probably the reason we like to go there, to escape were we are today. Yup, we really are going to hell in a hand basket just like my grandmother used to say. I believe she made that observation after seeing the Beatles first performance on the Ed Sullivan show. Over on the Jackie Gleason show they still had the June Taylor dancers, good wholesome entertainment. I can only imagine what my grandmother would of thought of Ozzie Osbourne or Alice Cooper. Things for me went south when Disco appeared on the scene. Disco dancing never became popular in the joints I hung out in, no leisure suits and collars like the flying nun for this guy. It was the beginning of the old days as far as I was concerned. Music has never really made a comeback since in my opinion. Alan Jackson, Travis Trett and Randy Travis done good, came close. It's all according to your taste I suppose and how important it is to remain current. I really like the old days, better than what I see coming down the road these days that much is certain. When it comes to summing up this thought one of my favorite Merle Haggard lines comes to mind, " I guess everything does change except what we choose to recall" Selective memory is a gift from God and one I appreciate. I'll remember the old days and continue to talk about them. It's a comfort.         

anecdotal testimony

  I made a silly little post on Facebook about a coffee pot incident. It was meaningless, an anecdote like I used to read in the Readers Digest. Do they still publish the Digest? I haven't gone looking but I don't remember seeing one in a while. The last one I did see was the "large type" edition for seniors. But, I'm getting off track a bit. So, I posted that little story and the comments just flowed in. I enjoyed reading them and everyone seemed to be having a moment. I say a moment because for just a few moments there was no politics, no bemoaning the human condition or any of that. For a little while social media was performing according to its' original intent, people being social. Although according to the story of how Facebook really began they weren't being very social rather it was more of a bullying thing. Ah, but we can rewrite history to suit the current narrative any time we like so there's that. Anyhow, I did enjoy the friendly banter. There is a commercial on television, not sure what they are advertising, about becoming your parents. It's a bit of a good natured jab at seniors in my view. Perhaps a bit condescending if you take it that way, In that commercial they say, no one cares what you had for breakfast and the waiter doesn't need to know your name. The implication being, both of those "shares" would be old fashioned, whereas I see that as being social. It's what we used to call conversation or light banter. A means of communicating with your fellow man without being confrontational. I still believe it is a great concept and practice it often.

 I do believe communication is a bit tougher using only the written word. Body language is very important in any conversation. It is second nature to us. That is, of course lacking on Facebook and other social sites. I also believe it varies in degrees based on where you grew up and your ethnicity. Hey the Italians are noted for talking with their hands, waving them about. When I went to Italy and drank my first real expresso I knew the reason why. That stuff will charge your batteries for sure. But certain areas of the country use their hands and facial expressions more than others. Those stoic new Englanders often have a dry sense of humor and little body movements, their faces remaining bland. Sarcasm is their stock in trade. I come from that background and can tell you for a fact sarcasm doesn't work well on Facebook. It's the strangest thing, if people go to a nightclub where they have to pay admission they love it when the comedian uses sarcasm. They will giggle and burst out in laughter when they are picked out of the crowd for scrutiny. Try that on Facebook. Maybe it is just that in person people are a bit more nervous, more reserved than when they are behind a keyboard. Their keyboard instantly becomes a weapon and they will wield it. 

 I don't know I just wish there were more posts like that. I do enjoy hearing the little stories of people and their misadventures. Not the stories where they are victims eliciting sympathy from others, or cajoling others to post something in response, to show their solidarity. No, I enjoy the light banter, the sharing of memories and such. Posts without any deep philosophical meaning or ethical dilemmas. Those posts are best enjoyed with those that want to discuss that stuff, not the ones that just want confrontation. Therein lies the problem with social media. Lacking body language and the inflection in tone comments are often taken as confrontation rather than discussion. People are prone to assuming a defensive position, I'm no exception to that. It's human nature, more natural I think when you are separated by distance. 

 Anecdotes they are called and I really enjoy them. Tall tales, fish stories, or whatever else you call them I am usually amused. Thinking about that I am reminded of a guy I once served on ship with. In the military everyone goes by their last name and his was Hill. I don't know his Christian name but he was king of the anecdotes or tall tales if you prefer. That is, of course, dependent upon whether you believe him or not. To say he had an active imagination or a penchant for elaborating on a story would be a great understatement. I will say he was amusing and seldom was his stories challenged. I think that was simply because his stories were so over the top. But, like I said, he was amusing. Behind his back he was called Hero Hill. LOL Yes it was a kinder time back then I believe. Maybe it was simply because we were all there in close proximity 24/7 sometimes for months. Far more confrontation took place on shore than on ship. Could be it was as simple as accountability. On ship you would be held immediately accountable whereas there was some leeway on shore. I don't know. Anyway, anecdotes is what I'm talking about, I think we need more of those on Facebook. Or is that that we already have too much of that?      

perception?

  So the trial is over and Chauvin is in isolation for his own protection. The judge has promised a quick sentencing. I will not comment on how I feel about the verdict, the jury has spoken. I do question how much of that speech is based in evidence and how much in societal pressure. A lot was riding on the "proper" verdict being delivered. According to our president the correct verdict was achieved, and in fact, that verdict should be repeated a great number of times to ensure justice has been served. The court of public opinion appears to be the most important court in the land these days. The popular decision must be reached or there will be consequences. In my opinion this is just the first step on a very slippery slope in American justice. Will trials ever be fair, unbiased, and weighed solely on the merits of the case again? It is certainly going to be quite a difficult bar to reach given the propensity for the media, especially social media, to reach a verdict before any evidence has been heard at at all. This trial we heard, "believe your eyes" that is what the prosecution repeated over and over again. Let us not forget that is the stock and trade of a magician, getting you to believe your eyes. Misdirection is also a very useful tool. That was the reason the prosecution didn't want to talk about Floyds' past, but presented character witnesses praising what a great man he was. The truth is, it doesn't matter whether he was a bad or good character. That had no bearing on what was being tried. What was being questioned was the method used to restrain a combative suspect. That is what was on trial. 

 And now we heard a collective sigh of relief. sorta. I am of the opinion there are those that are merely catching their breath. This whole thing isn't over, not by a long shot. There will be the sentencing, anything less than the maximum is not going to be acceptable. If you have any doubts about that I fear you are being quite naïve. My advice would be take off those rose colored glasses and get a clear view. A perceived advantage has been gained and it will not be wasted. The whole narrative of systemic racism in policing has been bolstered, just as planned. The media will keep fanning the flames in an attempt to deflect any criticism from themselves. Sometimes called the "white" apology I see this all as lacking in sincerity and good faith. No, this whole thing has turned into survival mode from corporations all the way down to neighborhoods. Either agree with the crowd or be shouted down, burned out, looted or intimidated in some fashion. It is the only path to justice!

  Now it is true that statistically speaking more blacks are killed by the police than whites. Even fewer Hispanics and native Americans are killed as well. That is just simple facts. On the street in everyday life we all operate on perception. It doesn't make much difference what training you may or may not have had, you will respond to your perception of the situation. The training you do have is designed to condition you to respond appropriately. That's the reasoning behind training. Still like a soldier in the field it is sometimes difficult to remember the training film when the bullets are flying over your head! And that is where the human factor comes into the picture. 

  Why is it that blacks, and that now includes anyone that self identifies as black, have a disproportionate amount of interaction with the police? That is a stat often overlooked or simply explained as, systemic racism. That was first brought to light as "profiling." Watching and looking for those most likely to be involved in a criminal activity is called profiling, until it isn't. Then it is called "predictive policing" when the Chief of Police or the Police Commissioner is a person of color. That's how that works. 

  The question to be answered here is why are blacks disproportionately involved with the police? I'd say it was perception. Many of the young black people in the country today go to great lengths to project a certain image. You can call it fashion or fad or something else but it does create an image. The white kids are doing the same thing, just attempting to promote a different image. I've said it before and stand by it, identical twins one dressed in a three piece suit and the other in "gangland" style are being watched. A crime is committed out of sight of the police, those twins are the only ones in the area, which one is most likely to have committed the crime? Depends doesn't it, on what crime was committed. It has nothing to do with race, it has to do with perception. Change the perception and you change the narrative altogether. 

  The bottom line is you can't trust your eyes. We all know that and yet refuse to admit to it. I could change the style of my dress, go to some place were I am not known, and be perceived in a totally different manner than what I am. As a result of that I will be treated differently. We all know that! That is why we dress the way we do. We dress to create a perception, a reflection of our inner desire to be whatever. The cool kids dress cool, and the nerds dress like, well nerds. That is just in general how humans perceive each other. I'm no cop but if I met someone in a dark alley at two in the morning I'm going to figure this person isn't a good guy, no matter the color of the person. It is at that point I begin to process whatever information I perceive, sometimes correctly, sometimes incorrectly. As an experiment dress yourself as a Priest, go somewhere you are unknown and see how polite people are to you. Then go back there dressed like a bum and see what happens. That is what I'm talking about. Perceptions not racism. Culture and community. Knowing what to expect. This may come as unexpected to you but research shows that the killing of black suspects is not a white policeman problem, but rather a policing problem. It is just that when a black cop shoots a black suspect it's hard to declare racism. It happens more often than you know. 

Here's the study I read: Study Shows Black Cops Just as Likely to Kill Black Suspects as White Cops (theroot.com)       

cerebral compliance

  The advertisements on television catch my attention, just as they are designed to do. I suppose that is a good thing for those paying for them. Now advertisements are designed to get you to buy something. That is their basic function. At there heart they are supposed to create a desire. As a Navy recruiter I were given a sales course. There are five steps to a sale, conversation, curiosity, conviction , desire and close. I was taught that if I followed those basic steps I could sell the Navy, or just about anything else. I have to say the technique did work, at least partially. A great deal of the technique does rely upon the salesman and I soon discovered sales isn't my forte. I will tell you about a product and then you can take it or leave it, the reason I wasn't a top salesman.

 I mention all of that because I was also told once you understand that process you will never hear an advertisement the same way. I have to say that is completely true. Ever since that period of "selling" I do hear the five steps, the method being employed. Now we are all vulnerable to that and it does work a good bit of the time. It is the creating of the desire for the product that ultimately gets you to buy. It begins with that conversation. The latest one (advertisement) that has caught my attention is for for a product called cerebral. It begins with a conversation, asking whether you feel depressed and anxious.  It pretty much describes how we all feel at various times, you know normal everyday feelings. But the conversation is designed to get you to agree with the speaker (salesman) regarding your circumstances in life. The victim mentality plays an important role here. That's the conversation part and gets you curious about what can be done about it. (curiosity) Well, all your issues can be addressed and remedied! You don't even have to leave home to get the help you need, the help you deserve to have! It's your right to get help! (conviction) That creates a desire in you to get that help that you deserve, that you need, and that you are absolutely entitled to! (conviction) The closer here is cerebral. 

 Now what bothers me is what this is selling. What is cerebral? Cerebral is advertising itself as online mental health. You can receive counseling and therapy online by certified doctors. They can even prescribe medications for your condition without you ever leaving the house. Yes, that whole scenario troubles me. You go online and get diagnosed. My feeling is you will have a treatable mental condition. Most likely it will require weekly sessions at a minimum. Or, if you are agreeable, some medications. I have a suspicion that will be determined in the conversation phase of this sales pitch. Yes it bothers me that this is even allowed. Just go online, get your diagnosis and order the medications! A business now being predicated upon what? According to the advertisement just thirty bucks a month! The testimonial portion of that commercial has a woman saying how difficult life was for her. She suffered from anxiety and depression, it was so difficult to function. But then she went online, had a video session, got the medications she needed, and is now just as happy as can be. And, it cost about 1/3 less than going to a real therapist. Hey, you don't even have to get dressed if you don't want to. Hawking mental health? I'd say it was preying upon the current situation. Now that the main stream media has barraged the general population with messages of doom for over a year, making people afraid to get within six feet of one another and generally being afraid of everything, combined with the narrative of a great racial divide leading to a civil war. I'd say the market was ready! Anxious, a little depressed, looking for relief? No problem, cheap mental health services are available to you and coupled with medications you can be managed. Oh, I mean you can mange your symptoms. 

 Well just call me skeptical, old fashioned and stubborn. I do believe that all this prescribing of medications to alter your moods isn't a good thing. I don't think you are curing a thing by that process. You are selling a product. I'm aware that we are now living in a victim society. That is the narrative that has been created over the years. The truth is, it is good for business. You can sell more products to those that are dependent than you can to the independent. Doesn't require any advanced degrees, any particularity brilliant mind to figure that out. Victims deserve help and compensation. Even though you have to pay for the "help" both are perceived as deserved. I'm feeling a little depressed and I deserve to feel happy because I'm depressed. Here, take this pill, you'll feel great. You will still be able to drive your car, go to work and all that, no one will know you are actually under the influence of a drug. And isn't that a great selling point? Sure you can think of it as cured if you like, taking that maintenance dosage every day, but the reality is you are under the influence. And now you can just do that online! Real progress. Soon we can all just "shelter in place" take our medications and never have to go outside at all. Not until we are certain it is safe. Those selling the products will take care of us. Life is just a big bowl of cherries. It's all cerebral isn't it? Yup, pretty much what your mind perceives is reality, your reality. Of course it pays to understand that others wish to alter your reality, particularly those that stand to make a profit. Look all I'm saying is when your government spends millions on advertising they are trying to sell you something. Pay attention or just go online to cerebral and get your medications. Compliance is at hand.                

Angst

  This morning I find myself preoccupied. I try to write about whatever is on my mind each morning and sometimes I write about things I stumble across in the afternoon. But right now, I'm preoccupied with private thoughts. Those are the things that I haven't really decided upon as of yet. You could think of it as sorting things out. There are a variety of emotions to deal with and deciding upon the reaction is the problem. I think that comes from my rather stoic upbringing. Drama wasn't much welcomed at my house. That isn't to say we didn't have our share of it, we certainly did, but when it passed we didn't talk much about it. It is what it was, was the attitude that was fostered more than anything else. We can do better next time. And better, better was a well reasoned response to whatever was happening at the time. Calm, cool and collected is always the best response. There wasn't a lot of, "putting it all out there" at my house. You just dealt with what was put before you and moved on. I suppose you can say it was putting an emotional cap on things.

  I believe I have moved past some of that over the years. Each generation does make changes. Those changes are usually in response to something that they want or desire that was lacking in the past. Adopting new attitudes about social issues is one of them. Today that is referred to as acceptance or inclusiveness. The way we respond to those changes is another one. This morning I find myself in a bit of a bog. My desire to react one way, balanced against the way others may perceive that reaction. That is what the internal struggle is all about, even as I try to convince myself that isn't so. The desire to give the other person what they want, balanced against what you are willing to give. Or more correctly what you are able to give. It's a private struggle because I am the one that will live with that decision. I'm finding this a difficult concept to present in a clear manner. Angst is the word that best describes that emotion. It is that anxiety you feel until a decision has been reached. Existential angst is the growing pain of life and living. Angst isn't a bad thing, it's more like the smell of coffee in the morning, it wakes you up a bit. All Hallmark movies have angst as their central theme. In the end, the correct decisions are made and everyone lives happily ever after. 

 Often it is the things you don't want to think about that causes the greatest struggle. We say, I don't want to deal with this, that is the reaction. Still we know we can't avoid life forever. Some will attempt to medicate that condition with alcohol, drugs, or other pursuits. There was a time in my life when I tried that, although I never got to the point where it was out of control. After the medication wore off the issue was still before me. I did learn you can't get past an obstacle by avoiding it. Some would say that was a result of maturing, I'd say it was the result of making a decision. I've also discovered that in order to make a decision you have to accept the truth. That's true even when the truth isn't yours! Recognizing the truth of others is the key to all of that. That's when you can decide. And this morning I haven't accepted the truth. It isn't someone else's truth, it is my own. Angst. 

a surprise

  I find myself noticing the milestones on this journey we call life. Perhaps it is the result of all the bumps, pot holes, and detours I have experienced over the years. I'm beginning to pay attention. Isn't it unfortunate that the majority us are that way? None of us know how long the journey will be and in the beginning of the journey we look ahead. We try our best to reach certain milestones, certain destinations, to anticipate what comes next. I don't believe many of us succeed in that effort though, we are surprised. After a while, and that while differs for each of us, we quit paying attention to all of that and focus on the here and now. Those years can be difficult ones for some and extreme pleasures for others. But I do believe that the majority of us will one day begin to look back and think about the path we have taken, whether that path was by choice or circumstance. Today I find myself doing just that, having noticed another milestone. My grandson is a boy no more. That is the sign I read. It came as a bit of an surprise, as these milestones often do. You know that it is coming, you are aware of that, but still surprised when you reach them. Like seeing the person in the mirror, you know that person but they somehow look different to you, a surprise even. Just where did that familiar face go?

  It's a strange thing. When my sons grew up, got married and had children of their own I didn't read that sign. I suppose I was expecting all of that to happen as the natural course of things. I was a bit surprised when I became a grandfather. I mean after the initial excitement of that news, I was surprised that I was now that old! Hey, I am a grandfather! It does rather smack you in the face, at least it did for me. But at the same time I knew I was still just a young guy, sure I had grandkids, but they were babies after all. Just kids, why their parents were just kids weren't they? On some level I thought they were and that justified being a grandfather. But now grandfather has a grandson that is in his second year of college. He lives away from home, has an apartment of his own, is in a relationship, as the kids today say, and is no longer a boy. He is 20 years old! I've been a grandfather for twenty years! Now that will wake you up in the morning. Well us old people do get up early and go to bed early. 

  As I said, I've begun noticing the milestones along the way more every day. I do enjoy looking back and seeing what I want to see. That is the best part of memory, it is selective and can be edited to suit your moods. Coca cola in a six ounce bottle from the vending machine at the gas station is still the best. Our childhood friends remain the same throughout the years, especially when we haven't seen them in decades. The old hometown was the best place to grow up and money sure went a lot farther. I could lie on the floor, in front of the television for hours, and spring right up at a moments notice. Takes a bit longer these days. I remember getting my drivers license, going to boot camp, my first date, walking into the bar and getting served, casting my first vote, and a hundred other things. All those little mile markers along the way. Often I wish I had been paying more attention. Perhaps if I had, buckled down, as my teachers urged me do and paid attention, the journey would have been different. But then again I feel like I am where I am meant to be at this moment in time. And that, that is a good thing.

  Sometimes the signs tell us where we have been, rather than where we are going. I'm beginning to think signs are just there to tease us a bit. They offer hope, a promise of what is to come, but sometimes like the rides at the amusement park, they just don't live up to the hype or just plain old make you sick. The older I get the more I enjoy reading the signs after the fact and offering a critique. The events you don't like, you edit. You don't forget about it completely you just modify the ending. Now I don't see the set backs and disappointments as barriers I see them as changes in the plan. Sometimes I changed the plan and sometimes others changed it for me. From that I have learned, I'm not in complete control and sometimes it just isn't fair. Fair, I have discovered, is always measured from our own perspective and our own experience. Fair usually involves having something that belongs to someone else. You have to learn that, and accept that as fair in order to move forward. I read that sign somewhere along the way. 

  I guess what I'm thinking about, what that sign really said was, your grandchild is no longer a child. In some way it came as a surprise, a sort off revelation. I have sons that are grown men with families of their own and on some level I haven't accepted that quite yet. They will always be my kids, know what I mean? I never saw any sign telling me otherwise. Yes I was there when they graduated high school, I was there when they got married, I was there when they had children of their own, the kids having kids. Still I didn't see any sign. One son has become the mayor of the town and still he is just my kid. Now that has changed too when I read that sign saying my grandson is a boy no more. You know it isn't that I feel so old but that I have traveled that far. It just came as a surprise is all.  

redress

  The city states attorney for the city of Baltimore has announced she will no longer prosecute certain "minor" crimes. Those crimes include possession of drugs and prostitution. She has basically given people license to commit crime. Apparently in a legal sense she can do that, although I fail to understand under what authority she was granted powers to decide what law to enforce and what law to ignore. But setting that argument aside I am still baffled by the ignorance of some of these so called leaders. It seems to me they lack a basic understanding of human nature and how things work in the real world. I would tell them, if you allow "minor" crime to go unenforced that will only lead to larger crimes being committed. It's not difficult to understand at all. It is like raising a child, if you allow them to get away with the small stuff they will try to get away with the larger stuff as well. That was perhaps best described by Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith show, " you have to nip it, just hip it in the bud. " He was right then and the same holds true for today. Respect for the law must be taught from an early age, and it must be respected each and every time. Once you begin making exceptions, making excuses, saying well, it isn't that bad, you have begun sliding down the hill. It is very difficult to stop!

  The rules are the rules. That is what I was taught from day one. If you don't like the rules, the rules can be changed. The caveat there being, you will obey that rule until it is changed. You don't get to just ignore a rule you don't like. There are many laws governing the use and possession of firearms. Yes, I hear the cries for more of those, the thinking being it will stop criminals from using guns in a criminal fashion. Yeah, okay. Those proposed laws would keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill as well. Really? Who gets to decide upon your mental fitness? Will you be required to take a "mental fitness" examination? If so, and you tell me you, "identify" as a woman, wear women's clothing, wigs and make up but have a penis, you are disqualified from gun ownership. If you tell me cow farts are destroying the planet, you're disqualified. Both of those statements make you mentally ill in my opinion! And therein lies the problem with that thinking. And now the city states attorney is saying if we don't prosecute crimes, we will have less crime! Well, less crime will be reported and recorded I suppose. What crimes will we ignore next? 

  Rules are necessary for the functioning of a society. The function of government is to establish those rules, enforce those rules, and provide security to its' citizens. It appears we are losing sight of that in these modern, processive times. All men are created equal! That is a natural fact. It is men that create inequities. The purpose of law is to establish a framework, a guideline for acceptable behaviors within that society. Man has always held a belief in a higher power or powers in the universe that control things here on earth. That's what Gods are all about. What that God is or isn't makes no difference in the big picture, what is important about that is ultimate accountability! Man should fear the judgement of the God(s) As children we should fear the judgement of our parents. That doesn't mean being afraid of them, just fearful of doing wrong when we have been instructed in what is right. Yes I believe a child should be in fear of their parents, just a little bit, as one fears God. Billions of people proclaim their love for God while saying they fear the wrath of God. Nothing inconsistent about that. 

  Now government isn't God, I'm not saying that. I am saying rules are made for a purpose and should be enforced, There is no such thing as a little wrong, can you only be a little pregnant? No, either it is right or wrong. It is only the degree of punishment that differs. It doesn't change the judgement! Whatever it was that you did wrong, is still wrong! If we begin to ignore "wrong" than it is perceived as right. Lot of that happening in the world these days. Take the last election as an example. There are those on the left saying, well there was only a little cheating going on, not enough to matter. Yes, I've heard that from elected officials. And what troubles me about that is their willingness to accept that. Just a little cheating? How much is the allowable limit and who sets that? I guess that would be the majority party on any given day. See the problem with arbitrary right and wrong? When law enforcement becomes an arbitrary decision, law breaks down. The result is what we are seeing right now. No respect for the law, no respect for order, no respect for anyone or anything. Yes, in America we are guaranteed the absolute right to "redress of our grievances" and the right to peaceful assembly to make those grievances known. We don't have a right to break the law! The law should be enforced at all times, in all instances. If we remove all consequence for breaking the law, we no longer have law. 

  The right to petition government for redress of grievances is the right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of, one's government, without fear of punishment or reprisals. The right can be traced back to the Bill of Rights 1689, the Petition of Right (1628), and Magna Carta (1215).

a good question

  So an old classmate of mine posed a question on Facebook that piqued my interest. She wondered if there has been any study done on why most mass shootings are committed by men. It's a question I hadn't thought of but immediately agreed with the premise. I can't say I have heard of any mass shootings by a woman. In fact it appears that women are seldom involved with any sort of gun violence, although I dislike that term, gun violence, it is the people that are violent, not the gun. But I'll try not to get off topic here. Without doing any research of my own as far as statistics go, I do believe she is correct in her statement and asks a valid question.

  I thought about that question for a few moments before responding. I do have an opinion on just about everything as anyone that knows me will testify. It has been my observation that the more society insists that men should be more "effeminate" and remove a great deal of accountability for horrendous acts of violence and other crimes, the incidence of these mass shootings has increased. Now I'm not saying that is it, but it is my thought. When I was a young man I was taught to be a protector. I was taught to protect those perceived to be weaker than myself. Women were called the weaker sex.

  I realize that gets me labeled a misogynist these days, and that is a portion of what I'm talking about. It's all about equality isn't it? That is what I hear all the time. Well a gun has been called the great equalizer. Perhaps it is the use of that gun that provides the testosterone boost missing in these more effeminate men of today. The cave man instinct to dominate! As a young man I was expected to defend myself, defend my woman, and defend my property. I was also expected to do that according to the code, the man code. I was expected to stand toe to toe, no cheating, no weapons, no sneak attacks, no backstabbing, no underhanded trickery! Using those tactics would get you ostracized. It was a sense of honor. Old fashioned ideas? Some certainly think so as they slink around the alleys figuring themselves to be bad men. Well they are! Cowards one and all. That is a lesson they have never been taught. It's the old adage, it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game. That applies to life as well. These men, boys really have no concept of any of that. 

  I have talked about heroes in the past. When I was growing up we had heroes, They were the people that exceled at what they did, or had done something so extraordinary that they merited that title. Heroes then were larger than life. Our sports heroes played sports and that was pretty much all we knew about them. They didn't involve themselves in politics and hawking every product known to man. No Mickey Mantle was a hero because he hit home runs! I never actually met any of my childhood heroes, they lived in their world and I lived in mine. Nonetheless I tried to be like those heroes, the real people and the fictional heroes. None of those heroes ever hurt anyone. My fictional heroes always fought fair and square and we're always justified in fighting for some cause. 

  I wonder if traditional gender roles don't figure into all of this. I believe in the natural order of things. Nature, the universe is an ordered thing that can't be disputed. The only dispute lies in who or what is responsible. Still the fact remains there is a natural order to things, men and women, night and day. That natural order has been perverted to a point that is causing problems. What I find ironic is that man is busy searching for the causes to the problems man has created. I do think we would all be better served if we followed the natural order of things. Yes of course there will always be exceptions, aberrations' to the norm but they should be recognized as just that. That isn't happening today. Often labeled as progress the "progress" is having side effects that are completely unexpected. I'm just saying perhaps we should stick closer to the original design. 

  The other component in all of this is accountability. That has certainly changed over the years. When I was young consequences were clearly understood. Punishment was imminent. The actions that would be punished were well known. There wasn't any grey areas back then, it was a world of black and white. There was right and wrong. Both states were clear! I think that perhaps young people today have not learned coping skills the way previous generations have. Having been fed a steady dose of, it's not your fault, they feel like they have to do nothing. By the time they reach their breaking point, what we called "acting out" they are reaching for weapons! Whatever situation they find themselves in isn't their fault! And that is the belief. 

  Well like I said all this is just my first thoughts on this stuff. I'm not a big fan of studies and searching for the root causes. In my way of thinking there can be no reasonable or rational explanation for this happening. I also don't believe you are going to make it stop by simply restricting access to guns. It isn't that simple a fix. In my opinion the value of life is what needs to be taught. So many today place so little value on that, indeed the government finances a portion of that through Planned Parenthood, justifying that as health care. But the question was why are men committing these mass shootings? I'd say it is a part of the natural order of things, of nature. The male is the dominate sex, always has been. It is in the nature of males to protect, to hunt for food, to defend against perceived enemies. That is in a general sense anyway. Not very scientific, not a popular thought or idea, but one I feel is at least partially valid. All you have to do is study history to discover that is pretty much how it has worked century after century. Just something to think about. 

  

intelligent?

  Thomas Aquinas said: " unintelligent objects cannot be ordered unless they are done so by an intelligent being to move objects to their end." He was, of course, talking about the universe and how that relationship to God would be a necessity. When I read that quote again I couldn't help but think, now I know why the government is so messed up! There is no intelligent being moving objects in an ordered fashion. What we are seeing is an emotional response, from the majority party, to pragmatic situations. One member of that party wishes to end policing altogether and throw open the jails. She believing that is a great idea because we can't reform the police. The Police are arresting people for committing crimes! That needs to change. Okay that is just one wack a doodle pandering to a certain demographic. What's really troubling is the commander in chief. His thinking is open borders. He has created a crisis at the border and appears baffled by it. His second in command states she is studying the root cause of all that. She isn't going to the border herself, no plan to do that, but will instead study the root cause. Again Thomas Aquinas comes to mind in regard to intelligence. Send a message to people that they can cross our border unimpeded and the result is "free" stuff and "preferential treatment" and guess what? They will come. Amnesty for all! Doesn't take much studying to figure that out. And the only solution I have heard proposed by that same, second in command, is funding all the nations those folks come from so they will want to stay home. Basically the thinking being, we will send our tax dollars to them so they can stay home, it will be much more convenient for everyone involved. No need to walk hundreds of miles carrying those cell phones and backpacks, we will bring America to you! She is certain those other governments won't mind, they'll be happy to spread the wealth to their citizens. Yeah, I can see that happening alright. Using that logic I could just send e-mail to bank and they would send me money, no need to actually go to the bank and rob it in person, would be safer too, no one gets hurt. 

  Intelligence does require thinking things through to a logical conclusion. As much as we would all like to believe otherwise, it is very difficult to change human nature. I'm certain Thomas Aquinas was well aware of that as well. If you believe in a higher power, a superior intelligence that ordered the universe you would have to acknowledge that. Man has labeled that, freedom of choice. That higher power has given us the freedom to choose. Isn't that what belief is all about? The belief that if you do the right thing you will be rewarded for those choices. It is however in the nature of man to look for an easier way to do something. We have labeled that, progress. Still if you think about it with all our time saving, labor saving, easier methods of accomplishing a task what is the most admired? That would be hand crafted. You can't beat good old fashioned craftmanship! That occurs as the result of making the correct choice. not necessarily the easy way out. America became America through the hard decisions, the well thought out plan to a logical conclusion. It is interesting to note that the founding fathers realized the logical conclusion could mean their death. But they choose to do what was necessary, to make the best possible decision for moving forward. They even wrote that down in the Declaration and the Constitution. The Bill of Rights was added to further clarify the intent. That intent being a government of the people, by the people and for the people. A government for Americans! 

  Today we have those in office that do not believe in that. It is obvious by the decisions they are making. You can't really have a sovereign nation without a defining border to that nation. In ancient times walls were built around cities for the same reason, to protect the citizens of that city from those on the outside. That was the border. Nations require borders! Those borders should be protected, guarded, and monitored. You don't leave your front door open when you aren't home do you? No, you close and lock the door. Why? So people from the outside don't come into your house and take what is yours that's why. Using the logic presented by this administration you should just be sending your stuff to their homes, save them the work of coming to get it! And in so doing you would no longer have to close and lock your door, problem solved. 

  Lincoln is often quoted as having said, "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we lose our freedom it will be because we have destroyed ourselves from within." Well the fact is, Lincoln never actually said those words, they are paraphrased from a speech he gave. He did believe in that sentiment however. I include this small portion of his speech as evidence of that. " At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its' author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide." Those are his words. I hear this administrating attempting to place blame for our own elections being questioned. There are allegations of foreign powers attempting to influence us. Karl Marx said, accuse others of what you yourself are doing, in that way you can create confusion. Not a direct quote, I paraphrased his words but that is the jest of it. I have to say that method works quite well until evidence to the contrary can be produced. It is also true that many time by the time the evidence is discovered, it's too late.

  Well that's my pontification for this morning. I offer it for your judgement. We all have to decide for ourselves, just be certain that is what you really want. I'll include a link to Snopes regarding the Lincoln quote should you want to read Lincolns full speech. It's quite interesting. Ah, intelligent men once led the nation, let's bring that back.

Did Abraham Lincoln Say 'America Will Never Be Destroyed From the Outside'? | Snopes.com

   

what a mess

  I grew up in a small town, a rural small town that enjoyed the benefits of tourism. Yes, we complained about those city folks that swarmed out to our town to the summer months. No one was complaining about the money they brought with them though, at least not at that time they weren't. As a result my little town did quite well financially for the most part. It wasn't something I was conscious of  I thought every town was like ours. I have often compared my childhood to growing up in Mayberry. There are some parallels that could be drawn accurately. I was free to roam the town on my bicycle without undue worry on my patents part. The adults in the town did watch out for all the kids and pretty much knew who belonged to whom. They may not have known your name but they would say, isn't that Bens' boy? Yes, misdeeds were reported back and you were always guilty. We had a small police force. We all knew the officers. I remember being taken to the police station as a kid, either with the school or some organization, and shown the jail cell. I was informed that is were you will go if you break the law. Made an impression. But I was also told that if you needed help they were the people to contact. I was assured you shouldn't be afraid of the police they were there to protect and serve. Well, as long as you weren't violating the law that is, then you had best watch out. 

  I provide that information as context. It is where I come from in regards to law enforcement. It was a time when the police walked the beat, the community knew them and respected them as other people in the community. They were not viewed as the enemy. They were, as Mr. Rogers taught us, people in the neighborhood. Today it seems like they live in a different neighborhood altogether. Even in the current small rural town I live in today you seldom see them. They don't walk around the town. It could be that I'm just an old guy that they are paying no attention too, and I'm not really looking for them either. The reason they aren't paying attention to me is easy to understand, I'm not doing anything to draw their attention. I'm not looking for them because I have no need for them at this time. If they do their job well I shouldn't have a need for them to intervene. Like the fire department, you have to have them but you hope you don't ever need them. It's true you never know what you have until it's gone.

  Today the big agenda is police reform. If you listen to the news every police force in America is a racist organization targeting blacks. The overall percentage of white police officers is about 62% according to the most recent data. That means 38% are not. So what reform are we talking about? Some want to just do away with the police altogether, hey one of your elected representatives has proposed that, think about that for a moment. Others would handcuff the officers, limiting their powers to yelling, well asking you politely, to stop. The state of Maryland has repealed the Police Officers bill of rights. leaving them open to litigation for doing their jobs. Will they now have to buy "insurance" like Doctors to protect themselves? Maryland has created an "oversight" board of civilians that will judge whether the officers actions were correct and justified. They don't have to have any particular knowledge or skill set in policing to be on the committee. How would you like it if I got to judge your performance in whatever occupation you have? And not just judge you, remove you from that position! You're fired because I don't think you are teaching the class right.

  I have no answers for all of that. I have just watched as the police went from walking the beat in uniform, neatly dressed, shoes shiny and presenting a friendly and professional appearance to looking like a storm trooper! They make Batman's utility belt look like a joke! The amount of equipment they are required to carry on their person is just crazy! Most are also required to wear a body camera to record their every word, every interaction they have. How would you feel about that? You are expected to rush in to any situation fully prepared, under extreme stress and act all calm, cool and collected. Hey, it's your job right? You are facing a suspect pointing what appears to be a gun at you, but you should ask first, is that a real gun, is it loaded, do you intend to shot it at me? Do you have any mental issues that I should know about? I should just stand there patiently waiting for your responses. If you answer yes, to any of those questions I should then politely ask you to surrender. I should issue a stern warning, if you do not surrender I will be forced to raise my voice, I may even use force! 

  I find all of this very unsettling, as should any reasonable adult in America today. How has it gotten to this point? Our police force have turned into combat troops. The disrespect for the law is evident. If you don't break the law you will not have any interaction with the police. I have broken the law in the past and as a result interaction with the police. Now I realize I'm a white guy, so not the target, but I didn't resist, I didn't argue, I did as I was instructed to do. Oh I wasn't happy about any of it, I had my excuses at the ready for why I should be allowed to break the law without being held accountable. I tried to explain to no avail. As a result I received my ticket and was released. I paid the ticket and the case was resolved. Had I been summoned to court, I would certainly have appeared before the judge. Have I just been lucky for 67 years? Oh I  guess some will say so, my privilege keeping me alive. Personally I don't think that is it at all. I think it is a result of something simple. I was taught to respect and obey the commands of the police. I was also aware that if, as a child, I did not I would be sent to "reform" school! Yes, I would undergo reform if I didn't obey the law! The Police didn't require reform, they knew the law, that was their job. Criminals, those breaking the law require reform! But we went soft on all of that, citing our "rights" as an excuse to act unlawfully. And here we are today, what a mess.          

hesitancy

   The CDC has ordered the distribution of the J&J vaccine halted until further study can be conducted. There have been six reported cases of fatal blood clots. Of course allowing thousands of undocumented "migrants" across the southern border isn't a risk to anyone's health. I'm certain all those folks have had all their shots, you know from pre-natal care right on up to the present day. And after all they are just children traveling alone. There are no adults helping them along, they are only at the wall and throwing them over! but I get it, they are the center for disease control, not their job. I guess they have been ordered to stay in their lane. And as for the J&J vaccine, well we have others, and still more in development. The real problem with that J&J vaccine is the fear that it is causing vaccine hesitancy! That's what they have labeled it when people, after hearing about a potential life threatening side effect, hesitant to jump in line. I'd call it exercising reasonable caution, weighing the fact that greater than 99% of those contracting the virus make a full recovery. I listened to the expert on television  saying how we should "trust the science." Well the science seemed a bit rushed to me and that is the cause of my hesitancy, combined with all the conflicting "expert" advice. We are told the vaccine is safe and effective but we should wear two masks now. Six feet was a bit too much and three should do it, at least in schools it will. If you are fully vaccinated you can still get the virus. The vaccine works so well that everyone needs to wear a mask and socially distant! Yeah, I'm hesitating to believe anything they have to say. 

 Now it was pointed out that only that only six people have died out of a few million. That's nothing to be concerned about, hey it's only six women. Statistically speaking your odds are great that you will survive, they think. They are doing further studies on that right now, just get a different vaccine, they are safe as can be. Of course there are always the variants, even more contagious, more dangerous and life threatening but don't worry about those, get the vaccine that we think will work, sorta, some of the time anyway. Don't hesitate! In the meantime, although the center for disease control doesn't have jurisdiction or say in this area, about 1800 lives a day are lost. That's correct, about 1800  lives are taken every day in America that is completely preventable. No vaccine required, being socially distant would prevent a great deal of that, it's called abortion. But that is supported as choice. Well I'm choosing not to take a vaccine. For that however I will be restricted. The legal experts have said, it would be a bad thing for the federal government to require a vaccination record for every American, but the States should exercise their right to require one, along with private industries. Of course should a State require a valid ID to vote that is just a racist thing and that State should be boycotted. The reason, it might cause voter hesitancy! I mean what if you are a wanted fugitive, have outstanding warrants, or aren't really who you claim to be? You just might hesitate to vote for the Democrats. Can't have that. 

 Well not hesitating can get you into trouble. I know, I didn't hesitate to post my opinion on Facebook the other day and as a result was banned for three days! I was reminded to exercise judgement, something the left normally calls bullying. Strange how that works isn't it? I have to say Facebook didn't hesitate, not for a second. I was blocked from posting faster than a speeding bullet. After filing out a form to submit to the Oversight Committee there was some hesitancy on their part. I was informed my "case" may or may not be chosen for review. Seems as though Facebook is hesitant to admit their error, or at least to review the decision made by the algorithm they use to make these decisions. Guess they are hesitant to use actual people fearing common sense may come into play. You are supposed to follow the science and do as you are told without thought of your own. As for me, I've always been a bit hesitant to just "take my word for it" I'm an expert. I'm no expert but I have learned one thing if nothing else, mass anything is never a good thing. Mass vaccination is probably another, that's the reason I hesitate. Yes sometimes you can jump off the cliff and the water is deep enough, as for me I'll hesitant before doing that every time. You know why they put blinders on a horse? It's so they won't hesitant to go forward when ordered to do so. No blinders for me.   

what is taught

  I saw an article where the author was complaining about all the racist imagery in Disney films and cartoons. Having watched a great deal of those, in fact having grown up with them, I have to say, I didn't see that. But, that I have discovered is because I'm not "woke." Well that inspired this thought, "if you look hard enough you will see just about anything you want to see." It seems to me that is what is happening these days, people looking to see what they want to see. Now there is no denying that the older Disney stuff was full of racial stereotypes. The thing is, they were characters. Characters in a movie or a cartoon. A reflection of real life? Yes, in an exaggerated way. It wasn't intended as a disparagement, it's intent was to amuse. Did that perpetuate stereotypes? Yes I suppose you could say that it did. Still we must remember that all comedy has a base in truth, that's what makes it funny. When I was little all Hobo's were white. Elmer Fudd was white, Mr. Magoo was white and all the Stooges were white. Never once was I offended by those characters. Guess I just wasn't looking hard enough. Or was it that there was no advantage in seeing that? That is what we have to ask. Truth be told when I was growing up my town was full of characters, and they came in all colors, sizes, shapes and nationalities. It was those "characters" that gave personality to the town. In a strange sort of way they were terms of endearment. Call it pity, call it disgust, call it ignorance, call it whatever you want but the "characters' were known. Sometimes a source of amusement, sometimes a source of aggravation. After leaving home I discovered the world is full of characters.

  I understand that if I were having this conversation with any of these "woke" people I would be immediately labeled a racist. I would be accused of not understanding anything about any of that. That's because to be "woke" I have to see the racism and all the other "ism's" out there. It's supposed to motivate me to give whatever "privilege's" I have, mainly possessions and money, to all the "ism's" out there. I should throw my full support behind those folks to elevate them in society to an equal status, to an equal position as myself, while they enjoy being "special" people because of their "ism." After doing all of that, I'll be woke. I need to understand that Fog Horn leg horn was a bully, and Mr. Magoo was visually handicapped, certainly nothing to laugh about. As far as Disney. Well Walt made the first big amusement park for "children of all ages" as was advertised. There was no discrimination about who could go to the park. I would say children didn't care or notice any of that. Children have to be taught about that. Disney was, and is a business like all others. It will tailor its' products to suit the current market. As a result Disney will have to become "woke" as well. It's just business.

  As for me, I feel it is important to teach the children about humor as much as about social consciousness. You have to teach them to laugh at themselves. We all have our little quirks, our little eccentricities that others laugh about behind our backs. Yes, it's true even those that love us. If we find out we may be offended. Funny how that works isn't it? But my point is I was taught to laugh at myself, to see the humor in certain things, and know the difference between good natured humor and being mean. I guess you could call it a toughening of the skin. Getting thick skinned it is sometimes called. I call it being aware. You can be aware and not be offended. Yes, that's possible. Today it seems if you are white you are a racist, born that way, nothing you can do about it. Mention race, you're a racist. Well I'm annoyed with all of that, but not offended by it. I be "woke" but white "woke" which is different I guess. It's "woke" without the demand for compensation. You know all this racism stuff is like a sore, keep picking at it and it will fester. It needs time to heal itself, we were getting close there for a while.         

comedic

  A great deal of comedy is predicated upon making people uncomfortable and a bit nervous. They are the emotions that will easily get people giggling. The psychology isn't difficult to understand. The topics are usually those things we know to be inherently wrong to discuss openly. It is based in saying what others thoughts might be, out loud. I believe it has grown in popularity because it requires so little thought to compose. Put together a sting of expletives, reference body parts or sexual desires, and you pretty much have it covered. Jerry Seinfeld has made his whole career just pointing out the silly things people do or obsess about. He called it observational humor. Try doing that in real life and you will quickly get called names, like bully or judgmental. The nightclubs are the hot bed for this type of comedy. Get a bunch of people drinking and start telling "adult" jokes. Inhibitions being somewhat lowered the crowd is ripe for the picking. The great Red Fox was a master at that. In his time however those recordings could only be listened to on records bought in dark corners. Blue is what they were called. They were recognized as "naughty" and that was the appeal. No matter how old we may get a part of us always enjoys that feeling that we are getting away with something. We enjoy participating in some activity that we know to be juvenile. In todays world we don't even try to hide that, we broadcast it as, progressive. 

  That has always been the case throughout the history of mankind. Making progress. But what does that really mean? Progress implies making something better, an improvement, achieving some goal. We often say, I'm getting there. The question is, where are we going? What is the ultimate goal of man? That is the question isn't it? Why are we here? It's the question man has been asking as long as he has been making progress. Until we identify the goal I don't think progress can really be made at all. The best we can hope for is harmony. Based on the number of wars, conflicts and unrest throughout history I have to say, we haven't made much progress at all. That isn't to say we shouldn't keep on trying. But we should stop just laughing it off and get serious. Being serious requires making serious choices. Choices that are best for the majority! Yeah it stinks to be the minority, but somebody has to be that.

  It was exactly 160 years ago today that confederate forces chose to fire upon Fort Sumter thus beginning the civil war. The reason that choice was made was an economic one. All the other reasons, justification, and excuses aside, money was the motivator. It was the interest in maintaining the status quo that forced their hand. The northern sentiments were one of making progress. The Republican party was formed to prevent the spread of slavery, particularly in Kansas and Nebraska. It was an attempt at progress, a movement more toward what the constitution reiterated, all men are created equal. The southern plantation owners realized what an impact that could have on commerce and wanted that stopped! Fort Sumter was located in Confederate territory and the confederates wanted to send the message that they were in control. It was really a matter of symbolism more than a tactical decision. We all know what followed. 

  It could be said that the incident that took place in Washington DC on January the 6th was a similar thing. Depending upon your point of view it was either a protest, a riot or a siege. In my view a clear message was sent to our elected officials, we the people, aren't going to stand for much more of this nonsense. The general feeling is the election wasn't fair and honest. Now we can argue and debate about that all day long but it will not change the perception. What is real to you, is reality. Yes, it is as simple as that and in that lies the frustration. Just as those southern plantation owners felt their livelihood and way of life was threatened, so too, middle America feels that way today. It is interesting to note that it was the middle class, factory workers and such in the north that wanted to stop the spread of slavery. Those folks were the base of the newly formed Republicans. There intent was to maintain the Republic, just as Franklin urged them to do, "if they could but keep it" as he put it. That is still the goal of the Republican party. The democrats would replace that Republic with a democracy and that is what we are currently witnessing. I pray daily that a revolution, a civil war, isn't the final result. The division is real and palatable. The fact that the Democrats would erase all that history, in the name of progress, isn't lost on me. If we erase that history, just forget about it altogether, we certainly will be doomed to repeat it. Progress can only be made by moving ahead, not by falling back. 

  Sit back and look at what is being promoted today. All the "identifying" and "defining" going on. All those topics that make us uncomfortable, nervous or otherwise unsettling to us are being discussed. But that isn't the real truth of it is it? No, all those topics are being forced upon an unwilling public by legislative processes. Many people are just laughing at that, going along with the crowd, intoxicated with their "freedom." The idea of freedom having been perverted to mean, I can just do whatever I like or feels good. It's freedom without responsibility. The responsibility being shifted to government. But progress, real progress and change can only take place in the hearts of men, it can't be legislated. 

  Here we are, one hundred and sixty years on still faced with deep divisions. Who creates that division? The answer is government, government creates the division based in political ideology. The premise was and should remain, We the People, not our legislators. That is why the integrity of the election process has struck such a discordant note. That process has been called into question. The very people that are in government, the legislator themselves, create that division for nefarious reasons. It is a concept the founding fathers were aware of. Indeed John Adams said: "   "There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other."  He was a pretty smart guy. Today we are faced with those in the audience just laughing it up, going along with the crowd, allowing all manner of improprieties, to satisfy their own base desires. In my opinion more of us just need to stand up and walk out on the show!