conditional moderation

 With Elon Musk purchasing Twitter the concern now is free speech. Imagine a place where someone may something mean and not be punished for that. Mean tweets almost got the President impeached! Well, the truth is they did impeach him, twice, but he was acquitted on both occasions. But they are not calling it free speech, those that are so deeply concerned, they are calling it misinformation. And anything that doesn't agree with their view is misinformation. Remember this is the same group of people that offered alternative facts in legal proceedings. It wasn't misinformation at all, it was an alternative fact.

 Personally, I don't care who owns twitter or facebook, any other web site or social media platforms. I have absolutely no stock, no investment in any of them. As we used to say, I don't have a dog in the fight. To me all of those things are used voluntarily. That means the responsibility lies with you! If you go on there believing everything you read, that's your issue, no one else's. Back in the day when the newspaper was the primary source of information and gossip (misinformation) the editor was held accountable for the content. There were instances when people didn't like what was printed so they simply burned the press down! 

 Today those same people would just shut the dissenters up! No one is talking about shutting down twitter, closing the newspaper office, no the talk is to not allow you to say anything contrary to what the editor wants. And that content is solely based on profits, either directly or indirectly. The old adage applies, follow the money. The problem with newspapers is the same as with twitter, some folks believe everything printed. If it is on the internet it must be true. Pay no attention to the proliferation of fraud, scams, and outright lies that we spend thousands of dollars on in an effort to block, everything else must be true. If a celebrity or someone famous says it, well that's solid, concrete, absolute truth! Everyone knows celebrities are especially informed in the field of politics, national policy, health care and racial injustice and inequity! Well liberal celebrities are anyway.

 The real issue here isn't freedom of speech, it is freedom from accountability. In the anonymity of the world wide web you can say and do pretty much anything you want. The only real problem is when others find out who you are. The cyber sleuths will find out too. The collection of our private information is the focus of all internet based commerce! I don't care if they are just providing you with free games or trying to sell you stocks, the bottom line is to collect information useful to there purposes. Everywhere you go, you are asked for your e-mail address, as a minimum. Now I'm basically pretty ignorant about how all of this works, this cyber stuff and computer tracking. IP addresses and all that means something to somebody. 

 The end result is you can be identified if it serves a purpose. Criminals are exploiting that every second of every second of every day. But a criminal makes no profit when you just say something mean or disagree with a political view. No money to be made in that. Therefore you are not held to account. Well unless you decide to run for political office, apply for a prestigious job, or something like that. Then your mean tweets and disagreements might be used against you. Corporations have been examining your social media for years now and basing decisions on that. 

 But, take me for instance. I'm retired and have no plans to apply for a job anywhere. I have no political ambitions. I don't particularly care if you like what I say or not. I try not to offend having been raised in the concept of polite company, something that is being lost in todays world. Still, I will speak my truth, say what I believe, and in general not always go along with the popular opinion. I'm not saying others are wrong, just that I am right. No I don't tweet but what if I did? I'm certain there are many people out there that would disagree with me and get their feelings hurt. 

 Content moderation is another term being thrown about. We should moderate what is being said. It isn't an infringement on free speech, it is simply allowing a moderate amount of that stuff. All things in moderation you know. You can get too much of a good thing. Too much freedom is dangerous! That's what I hear being said. It should be moderated. The only issue there being, who gets to decide on that? We have all heard the argument about you can't yell fire in a crowded theater. Truth is you can, but it will have consequences, and you will be held accountable for that action. On twitter will you be held accountable? No, and the reason is a simple one, the reaction to that tweet is solely controlled by your reaction to that tweet. If you take off running, that's on you. If your feelings are hurt, that's just too bad. Accountability lies with the moral and ethics of the one posting the tweet. 

 It sure is different when you have to face the person. Take the latest example that everyone seems to be all upset about. Chris Rock makes a bad joke about Will Smiths' wife. He got his face slapped! That's accountability. But we are not supposed to react that way are we? No, Rock is the victim and the hero. A shining example. He can say whatever he wants without consequence! That's free speech! It's just a joke. Well, unless it is on social media then we need content moderation. 

That's the conditions. In person, no accountability. Distant and aloof, block that jerk! File a lawsuit! Demand accountability! 

Forgotten heroes

  After posting a photograph yesterday I was pleased with the responses. It is a group photo from my days in basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Command. I arrived there in August of 1971 and graduated, I believe, in November. Hard to believe all that was a half a century ago. The photo is fading fast and along with it my memories. The strange thing about that is it is the memories of those faces in the picture that are fading, not the memory of the time I spent there. I never saw any of those folks again. In my twenty year career I never encountered a single one. Not all that surprising given the number of sailors but something I really hadn't given any thought to before. It's funny, when I was a Navy recruiter I would have people stop by the office, or see me somewhere and say, I know so and so, he's in the navy too, do you know him? I always just smiled and said, no, can't say I do. 

 Now there are a few names I remember, very few. I can remember them for some reason although I don't have a clue why. I can't say I made any close friends during that time. I didn't keep in touch with anyone afterwards, it was just, goodbye. I can't say anyone treated me any differently than anyone else. I mean I don't recall anyone antagonizing me in any way. I had no personal conflicts with anyone. I was just there to do what I had signed up to do, be in the Navy. I graduated on time with the company I began the journey with. Some didn't make it, I remember that much. Wasn't much sympathy for them either. 

 Today I find myself wondering what happened to all those faces. How many went on to stay the course, to use a nautical term. I'm guessing the majority just did their time and got out. Less than 20% of those that join initially will stay until retirement. During my time the rule became, move up or move out. You can't simply stay in the military for twenty years without advancing in paygrade. It wasn't always that way. There were those content staying in a certain paygrade for various reasons. Some didn't want the responsibility, some couldn't pass the exam. I got out after my first enlistment but returned two years later. Choices made. I joined as a choice, reenlisted as a choice and retired when I chose that. I did no more, no less. 

 Things are different today. Different in the way veterans are seen. Well, I should say the way veterans are referred to, the politically correct way. That certainly wasn't always the case. I was in during the Vietnam era and wasn't always greeted, shall we say, cordially or respectfully. I will say those instances were few just like today you run into a few nut jobs. Today veterans are greeted with thank you for your service, almost as a reflex. I never know what to say other than, you're welcome. A lot more people make their service known than in years past. I'm not saying they are bragging about it but rather it is something that gets mentioned. In years past you just didn't hear it that often. 

 Over the years different groups were formed by veterans. The Grand Army of the Republic was the first. My second great grandfather was a member of that organization and attended yearly meetings well into the early 1900's as near as I can tell. At some point that became the Veterans of Foreign War that we are all familiar with today. Then came the American Legion, an organization for veterans that hadn't served in a war overseas. There are AMVETS as well. There are consisted mostly from the Vietnam era veterans, I think. I haven't studied all of this and I'm certain corrections are necessary. But the purpose of these groups is based in honor and service, a way to remember. The groups do advocate for Veterans and have gained much over the years. It was the Grand Army of the Republic that got the first benefit for widows. After my second great grandfather passed away, his widow, my great great grandmother Agnes received a three dollar stipend every month for the rest of her life!

 I thought about all of that. I haven't joined any veteran's organization myself. I simply do not have a desire to do so. I have never been one to join in any fraternal orders, no clubs, nothing like that. I have zero interest in any of that. I did belong to the historical society here in Greensboro but quickly became bored with that. I realize that all these groups perform many functions that benefit society in general. I am grateful to those that belong, support and make that happen. I render them all a hearty hand salute and a heartfelt thank you. 

 So what does all of this have to do with an old photograph? I just thought, as I looked at all those faces, how many I have forgotten. To be truthful I had a hard time identifying myself! I remember the company commander, Chief Pectol. I remember a pock marked face belonging to a guy named Hernandez. He had been to a military school prior to basic training. He was made recruit commander and thought himself pretty important. And there is the little guy in the front row, standing to the far left. I don't remember his name but he was Jewish. The only Jewish person in the company. He went to the Synagogue on Saturday, I think. Beyond that however, the memory fades. And given todays sensibilities regarding all of that I now think it's a picture of forgotten heroes. I have a small batch of pictures my dad took of his buddies while in the second world war. I have looked at those pictures and wondered about their names. 

 Forgotten Heroes? No, I don't think they are, I'm certain someone remembers. When placing the wreaths on graves for Wreaths across America the protocol is to say the veterans name out loud. The thought is, as long as there name is spoken, they are not forgotten. I look at that old picture that hangs on my wall and all I can say is, sorry about that. I could find the names if I really wanted to, there is a "yearbook" of sorts although mine has been lost in the last fifty years. But, I won't pursue that. I remember the time and place, I was there, that's what I remember. I'm certain it is that way with everyone else in that picture. Anchors Aweigh boys, anchors aweigh. And we did!   

                                                                 

                                                                    

life is a truth

  Now I wouldn't call myself a deeply religious person or one particularly familiar which the teachings of the Bible. Oh, I went to Sunday school alright, attended church with regularity for most of my childhood, even served as an altar boy, but far from a zealot. But the older I get the more I am learning the truths contained in those verses and stories in the Bible. 

 I was thinking about growing up and the things I was taught. But I 'm not thinking about the lessons learned in school, rather lessons learned in living. I was raised by parents, and by extension the community they associated themselves with, that believed in deeds. That is to say, the emphasis was not on what you knew, so much as what you did. A skilled tradesman was valued greater than a Phd professor. It was something I was aware of, although it was a subtle thing. My father insisted that I would graduate from high school! I was the first of his four children to do so. My eldest brother joined the Navy when he was seventeen. My other brother learned a trade. My sister went to cosmetology school. Later she did get her GED and a two year degree. But I was not allowed to quit! Thing is, I didn't want to quit. I found school, not that bad. I didn't have to work at it very hard to get passing grades. In retrospect I should have heeded the teachers advice and "buckled" down and "applied" myself. I did take the easy road.  

 When I was just a young guy in grade school I had an Uncle that gave me a nickname. He called me the professor because I wore glasses, was kinda skinny and small, and often talked about things that was supposed to be above my age. What we call age appropriate topics these days. In the 1950's a child did not offer an opinion on adult topics! Stay in your lane. Dad would sometimes call me forward to explain things to his friends. I remember that as clearly as anything. He would be sitting around having a few adult beverages, (beers) with his friends. Then I would be called to tell them how an internal combustion engine worked, what a four cycle and two cycle engine was. I suppose Dad was proud that I knew that stuff but it was embarrassing. All those men knew more about that stuff than I ever would in my life! It was like explaining religion to Jesus!

 But I'm wandering off here. I was thinking about the lesson of works versus knowledge. There are many passages in the Bible that speak to that. And there are contradictions in those verses as well. The Bible says do not practice your works before men so that they may see those works, that's a bad thing. Another verse tells us we will be known by our works. Still another passage warns us: do not forget to share what you have. And I was taught all of those and more. The lessons, not the actual verse. It didn't matter if I "knew" the chapter and verse, what was important was in the doing, not the knowing. That remains true. And in reading the Bible and the passages and lesson contained there, we have to keep all of that in context. 

 As a neighbor once said to my son, knowing it ain't doing it, doing it is doing it. That sentence sums things up fairly well. 

 That neighbor was from my parents generation. I expect he was raised much the same as they were. A retired Naval Commander, graduate of the Naval Academy and later a math teacher. Served in WW2 and probably the most skilled cabinet maker I ever knew. A man that worked with his hands, despite all that education. And it seemed like a contradiction at the time because that is what I had been told. There's a lot of educated damn fools in the world! I have to say, I've seen a lot of them! Lots of people with degrees, no jobs, no real skills, they just know stuff. They have read the books. Knowledge without works is useless. 

  What I have learned is this. It matters more what you do, than what you know. That is what my parents believed, what they tried to teach me, and it has become what I believe. I tried to pass that lesson on to my sons. They are the only ones that can say if I was successful or not. Life is a truth you have to learn for yourself, it isn't taught. We create our lives by the choices we make. Our emotions are great motivators, seldom good guides. You have to believe what you know. If you don't believe it, if you have doubts, you simply don't know. And this final adage I heard from an old farmer, "the more you know, the less you think you know."  

   

 

  

entertained yet

  Remember AOL? You could get the disc almost everywhere. I remember installing that and listening as the computer dialed up the internet. It was an amazing thing. Soon you heard those words, "you've got mail." Remember having to monitor your usage so as to avoid charges, you only had so much on you plan. Ah, the good old days. Those were also the days of the chat rooms. People had "handles" much like they did during the CB craze. I never had one though, not with the CB or with AOL chat rooms. I did enjoy sipping some fine bourbon in the evening hours and chatting it up however. I was amused. Amused that some of those folks expected me to believe this or that, amused by their opinions and observations. It was like the wild west of the internet! 

 Then it all changed. I'm not certain when that happened. The chats rooms disappeared, I guess and so did AOL. Google took the internet by storm. You didn't need to dial up anymore either, it was direct connection, sort of. We all began to talk about modems, routers and bytes and mega-bytes. Speed, we got the need for speed. Blazing fast internet! It's still a topic and a selling point today. It seemed like everyone went farming. Farmville was the thing! My wife did that, but I didn't participate in that at all. But the farms all went out of business, swallowed up by the corporate giants. Facebook appeared, social media. Remember before that it was just chat rooms, now it is media platforms! There are a ton of them too. 

 Twitter. I created a twitter account some years back figuring to see what all the excitement was about. People were hash tagging and following! Celebrities were tweeting tweets and getting the word out. I believe I sent one tweet, haven't tweeted since. I can only assume my account is still there somewhere, they say it stays forever in the digital world. Gee, hope it isn't on Hunters laptop! And now, Twitter has been sold to Elon Musk. People are expecting big changes. Well, they are expecting to be able to say whatever they like on there. A return to the chat room format? Creating quite a stir, free speech and all. Of course, Elon can decide what is allowed or not, it's now his game. The liberal folks are all upset because now they don't get to decide that. The alternative facts may not be an alternative after all. That could create a problem. Well, the pendulum swings both ways.  

 The thing is this. Twitter, Facebook, AOL chat rooms, whatever they call them exist for one purpose, entertainment. You can talk all you want about social discourse, the sharing of opinions and knowledge. Still, the bottom line is, it is entertaining. When it no longer entertains you, you no longer participate. Like old video games that you have mastered, they are set aside and forgotten about. Remember when everyone was leaving Facebook? Few left, and of the ones that did, most are back. It's entertaining. Now people are saying they are leaving twitter. Some will. It's the same problem all over again. People are threatening to leave because others are saying things they don't want to hear. No different than the kids you avoided in grade school because they were mean. Yeah, much the same thing.

  Now social media has become somewhat of an influencer. That's a big problem. Too many people getting their "education" from social media platforms. In the old days it was the evening news, people like Walter Cronkite and David Brinkley. There were those that trusted and believed everything those men said. They did refrain from offering their opinions in most cases. They offered facts. Prior to that, it was newspapers. Remember when the New York Times was a prestigious publication, trusted and revered? Well, not so much today as profits, just remaining profitable, has become the primary focus. That's why you read the nonsense that they print today, it is written to appeal to the urban crowd. Yes, the liberal minded folks. 

 The internet now offers unlimited resources for research. Whoever controls that research will control the narrative. Unfortunately, the majority of the public will not do any research at all. That's because, generally speaking, it is the way we were raised. Listen to the teacher, learn the topic, and repeat what you were taught. We all hated the "essay" questions because we had to think about that stuff. No, multiple choice was the way to go, just remember what you were told as the proper response. Usually, four choices were offered. Two of them you could eliminate right off, they were stupid. The other two were possible answers, can you remember what you were told? It had to be exactly what the teacher said. 

 This internet stuff, Facebook, Twitter, and all the others offer too many choices! The battle is to eliminate those other choices, to get the "correct" responses out there. Content moderation is not censorship! That's what I hear often. Content moderation is the definition of censorship! Saying things that others don't agree with will always be met with resistance! You could get excommunicated from the Catholic church for saying things contrary to their belief, I think you still can. Content moderation, sometimes also known as, doubt. 

 Will the new twitter really be different? Will you be able to simply post whatever you like? Will free speech destroy the country? No. The whole thing is about money, making money, and control. Musk didn't just buy twitter all by himself. He has others with him. The others are called, wait for it, investors. What do you suppose they are investing in? Free speech, apple pie and the American way? No, they figure to make a profit from this investment. And the bottom line is, as long as it remains a source of entertainment it will remain profitable. 

 That will be true even if it becomes a paid subscription service. Don't think so? There are many people that are low income, below income, basically flat broke. Those same people still buy alcohol, cigarettes and dope! They always have money for entertainment! And the fact is, we are all that way to a degree. Subscribe to streaming services, pay for "cloud" usage, buy fast cars or classic cars, hobby supplies, big macs or whatever. We go to the movies, take vacations, whatever. The point is we all will pay to be entertained in some fashion. Who are the highest paid people? Entertainers.

 Those old AOL chat rooms used to entertain me. Didn't cost a thing except for that internet connection. It was the wild west of the internet. Never did I get offended or traumatized, or bullied. I simply didn't chat with those that I didn't agree with, or argued with them, just for fun. Yeah, that can be fun too. Let's bring that back, where is America on Line?  Yeah I remember party lines on the telephone too, what fun, until you needed to make a call anyway. Could you please get off the line, this call is important. How do you think that question would be answered today?     

what's in the name

 Well tomorrow is Administrative Assistants Day. For those of us that haven't woke up yet, secretary's day. A day in the past when the boss got to sexually harass his secretary. It was indeed a celebration. Flowers and chocolates all the stereotypical items and cards filled with innuendo. It's interesting to note that the Professional Secretaries Association created the day in 1952. It was simply secretaries' day. In 1981 that was changed to Professional Secretaries Day, I suppose to separate the amateur secretaries, the ones not belonging to the association. But in 2001 it was changed once again to Administrative Professionals Day to be more inclusive and remove any gender confusion. Yes, guys can be secretaries too! Well, they can be administrative assistants. I told my wife about this this morning, and she thought flight attendants were still called a stewardess! I checked a few facts and discovered this whole week is professional administrator week! I wasn't aware an entire week was celebrated. Guess it is the same as those that celebrate their birthday week or some the entire month! 

 All of that came to mind I suppose because of the recent interest in pronouns. Apparently, pronouns are becoming optional, you get to select which one's others must use when referring to you. Changing the identifier because certain pronouns imply certain identities. Just like being called a secretary implies you are a female, if you identify as a female that is, otherwise it is just sexist! I guess male secretaries were uncomfortable with that title and figured being an assistant was better. Later they decided to add professional to that title, to bolster their role. Now just to figure a way to remove assistant and the transformation will be complete.

 There does remain problems within this system of changing names around. A ballerina is always a female. But what do you call the guys? Well, I looked that up and found there are several names. Thing is, every one of them is gender specific. In America the accepted term is, male ballet dancer. But what if that male identifies as a female? Do you then call him a ballerina? I couldn't find an answer to that one. I guess we have to fall back on the default. Should he get to choose the title or pronoun of his/her preference? Interesting to note is the top three highest paid ballet dancers in the world are men! Guess there isn't equality in the ballet world! 

 When I was in the Navy they began changing the names around. Many became specialists. A person that operated the radar systems was called, a radar man. That was changed to operation specialist! The guys tending the boilers where called, Boiler Tenders, I know, but today they are boiler technicians. Shipfitters became hull technicians. I never heard an explanation for any of that, I can only assume it was important to somebody. Maybe it had something to do with gender identity? It was about the same time as allowing women on ships, bad luck as any sailor knows. During my time in the Navy we weren't calling each other "mate" that would have been just weird. That's in the movies. So cliche you would have been laughed off the ship. Which, by the way, is always a boat. 

 So don't forget your administrative professional tomorrow. I have never worked in that capacity or been in an office environment. I wonder if the guy secretaries, err administrative professionals, get gifts from their bosses? How does that work? And what if the boss is a woman, does she give gifts to the guys and the girls? I guess it would have to be gift cards all around, everyone likes money no matter how you identify yourself. A generic card with a gift certificate perhaps? But how to address that person? Mr. Mrs. Ms other? I don't know. Now a married woman can be called Ms. or Mrs. it's her choice. But a guy is always Mister. Shouldn't there be something different to indicate whether a guy is married or not? Or at least something to indicate what he identifies as? Something to signal others so they aren't just guessing or confused? That could lead to choosing the wrong pronoun, that is the right pronoun, but the person hasn't chosen that pronoun to be identified with. Maybe they should just wear a name tag with their preferred pronoun on it. I'm a Ms. Mrs. Mister or something else. Or maybe just use the old gender neutral greeting, Hello. Better check with the Administrative Professional on that. That is a part of their job, choosing the correct salutation. To whom it may concern,  Sir or Maam, do we still use maam? I feel like maam has gone the way of spinster. Unless you are in the south. Whatever you do don't trust your eyes, you may not be seeing what you think you see. Wait until you are told what to say. 

Democratic control

  I don't know what is going on in other cities around the country, but Baltimore is definitely on a downhill slide. A total failure of leadership dating back years. Yes, it is a Democratically controlled city. And according to the Mayor it is also a city controlled by black people. Yes, he said that and that is allowed. A few years back, after the third black female mayor was booted from office for fraud, a white female reporter suggested they try something new. She was fired from her job at the television station, called a bigot  and other vile names. Now she didn't say to try using white people, only that they try something different. Fired! 

 The current Mayor, a young black man, has been extolling how great a city Baltimore is, excited that AFRAM is coming to town. AFRAM is a celebration of people of African-American descent. The festival will celebrate their accomplishments. Given the track record of Baltimore, under black leadership, I fail to see what they can brag about. A string of convictions for wrongdoing in office, one the highest rates of murder and violent crime in the nation, and general lawlessness. At this very time the City States Attorney is under federal indictment! But we will celebrate?

 Baltimore has had a history of young people riding dirt bikes in the streets. They even call it a dirt bike culture. Yes, it's culture now. Never mind that a great number of those dirt bikes are stolen, a fact the police department has verified on numerous occasions and reports. Business owners have been asking for help for years as these bikers roar down the streets, doing wheelies, in some instances going down the sidewalks and generally creating a nuisance. So what is the response? They are now talking about building a bike park for the dirt bike culture. Yes, and in addition to that providing training and education to those riding those bikes, you know, to prepare them for a life of dirt bike riding. Hey they are only breaking the law, stealing dirt bikes and racing them in the streets because they lack a proper facility! I only got a speeding ticket because I don't have access to a race track but that doesn't count, it's not my culture. 

 Another new policy for Baltimore city is to give 120 single mothers an extra thousand a month for the next two years. In doing so, that will empower them and they will become productive citizens. In addition their children will now grow up, in two years time, to change the entire culture of dependence! They just need money, a guaranteed income no matter what they do. And yes, there are no string attached to this "program" spend that money anyway you want. I'm certain they will make wise financial decisions. The ones receiving it will be selected by a lottery. Just fill out the forms and enter the drawing. 

 The state is expected to "legalize" recreational marijuana use. Well, people are going to smoke it anyway. Besides it is a distraction to those selling the harder drugs. Let the guy sell his pot, and he won't sell crack. Hey, that might chill them out and stop them from shooting each other. You know let people get high on pot and they will just chill, start a band or something. Pot creates the "hippie" culture of peace and love. No plans I've heard about how to go about regulating or taxing any of that yet. Whatever they decide I'm certain there will not be any criminal activity associated with that.

 The vaulted inner harbor at one time a mecca of tourism has become like a graveyard. No one wants to go there and business has left that place in droves. But a new development corporation has purchased that property and has big plans. It's a revitalization program involving billions of dollars. The only issue being how to rid the place of thugs, thieves and degenerates. The answer to that? Affordable housing. The plan involves building new and/or remodeling existing vacant properties in the inner city. Then providing that housing to low income people. You know in an effort to keep them in their neighborhood. 

 A Democratic policy that has been practiced since 1865. The only thing changed is the name. The plantation, share cropper and now inner city. All serve the same purpose. Let's keep those folks where we can keep an eye on them. They can do what they want, we won't infringe on their culture, as long as they behave themselves anyway. Heck, we will even enable that! Separate but equal policy as its' finest. We'll just tax the wealthy to pay for all of that. And we don't care what color you, or your money is. This isn't about race, this is about control. The master will tell you what to do, when to do it and how to do it. Takes money to make money you know.

 Did I mention that the City States Attorney is under federal indictment? She has been indicted for perjury and fraud. She is also running for reelection. So far it is statistical dead heat. Let that sink in. She still has supporters. The case against her hinges on her testimony that, I didn't read the document before I signed it. Yup, that's the defense against the fraud charges. She claimed covid hardship to withdraw money, tax free, from her retirement account to purchase a vacation home in Florida. She signed the document testifying to that hardship. Her defense, I didn't read that part. Her salary is in excess of 250,000 dollars! Yeah, a lot to be proud of in Baltimore alright.     

Waiting on time

 Time is the most precious of commodities. We are given just so much of it, that I believe wholeheartedly. Yes, our days are numbered. There is no other way to explain things like survival or loss when either is extreme. It is up to us how we exchange that commodity. It the purpose of life. It is what we all try to determine, that purpose, what is it we wish to purchase or receive in exchange. We begin with a full purse and spend generously in youth. We are anxious to get on with it, whatever it is. If we are fortunate enough to have an abundance of time we will begin to slow down, savoring our time. 

 I'm aware of that when writing these blogs or memoirs, whatever you wish to call them. I understand a blog is supposed to center on a particular topic or subject and I certainly don't do that. If there is a central theme in all of this, it would have to be philosophy. I know I'm as surprised as anyone else. I've never thought of myself as a philosopher. But then again, we are all philosophers, aren't we? I believe we are the only difference being the amount of philosophical thought one is willing to share. There are modern philosophers, although I can't name a single one of them, but it is the ancient ones that get all the attention. I think that speaks to the nature of man and time. The old ways were the best ways, the old thinking somehow better. At the same time, we find all of that constraining. That's why we change our philosophy and attempt to justify that change. 

 I find myself concerned with the expenditure of time. It's not the time I have left, I don't know how much that will be, but rather what I've done with the time I've already had. My philosophy centers around that. Have I used it as intended? That is a basic question to begin with. Are we allotted a set period of time to accomplish a goal? That is, are we assigned a mission at birth. Can one person be that important, that vital, to the functioning of the universe? A rather self-important view when you think about it. Still, we are all allotted a set period of time. Are we free to use that time at our own discretion? Is that free will? It certainly appears that is the case. Hard to explain man's inhumanity to man otherwise. That inhumanity usually centers around personal gain, not gain for the greater good. 

 We speak of heaven and hell and where we go after death. I do believe that our spirit, our energy lives on forever. Energy can only be transformed never created. You can't make something from nothing! Could be our energy will simply be directed to another and they get to choose how to expend that time, the "charge" if you want to look at it in that way. Perhaps the entrance to heaven isn't about good and bad, isn't about obedience at all. Perhaps it rests solely on how your energy was expended. What did you do with your time, your allocation? There is a negative and positive charge, a good and bad, a heaven and hell. It's a balance. It is necessary. 

 Maybe you can go to heaven in one time and go to hell in another? A cycle? You know it's interesting to note that electrical engineers say an electrical charge travels from the positive side to the negative side while electronic engineers say just the opposite. Do we start in heaven or hell? Which way are we going? Well time will tell. And as I always ask, will I know it? That's my biggest question, will I know that I died? Thing is I won't know until it happens. Will time stop? Seems like it would have to, otherwise you would still be waiting. But if you died, what would you be waiting for?  

being remembered

 We all want to be remembered. I think that is a universal human emotion. The trick is in leaving behind reminders. That's the reason some pursue fame or fortune. They tend to be the people that are remembered. It's the common man that is often forgotten about except for a few families and friends. Even then a few generations will pass, and you will fade in anonymity. At best you do become a name and a date on a family tree. I've spent some time hanging those names on the branches myself. I try to fill in the blanks as best as I can. Are those people remembered? The truth is they are not. You can't remember someone you never knew. But we say, as long as their name is spoken, they are not forgotten. We say that for our own benefit a sort of reassurance that we will not be forgotten.

 What reminders will you leave behind? Unless it is a great fortune, or significant material things, what will it be? I don't think it is something we get to choose. We never know what will become of importance to others, what memento or memory they cherish above all else. It could be a word or phrase said at precisely the right time. It may be a simple card or scrap of paper. Consider autographs as an example. They have become quite collectable over the centuries. What is that value? Simply that the person signed their name, and you now possess that, as though you own a piece of them. The autograph of a common man is worth what? Not much. That has to be attached to fame or fortune or possibly notoriety. 

 But what is this desire to be remembered all about? For me I'd have to say it is the desire to be heard. I don't want to be quiet even when I'm dead! I just have this desire to communicate with others. Yes, I've been accused of being a know it all, opinionated, and called a host of other names. I'm quite aware of all that, and I just don't care. It's who I am. I hope I am quoted one day. Being quoted is a compliment in my opinion. When we want to add emphasis or credibility to a statement, we will quote famous people. That's because it has already been decided that those people knew what they were talking about! Hard to argue with Einstein or any of the ancient Greek philosophers. Or quotes from famous authors, politicians and artists of any kind. This quote may sum up my thoughts and so I'll include it:    

Even the simplest of us, it is true, hanker after the discovery of some meaning in life, and when a writer helps to discover one for us in a phrase, we quote him for a generation.... the "Eureka" of the depths of our nature on discovering that things mean something after all. ~Robert Lynd  

It does seem like we should be remembered, even the simplest of us. We may not have discovered the meaning in life, or of life, however you choose to view that, but others can discover themselves in you. Often others are upset when you tell them what they already know about themselves, but don't want to believe. You do have to become comfortable with yourself before you can be comfortable with others. I think, like Robert Lynd pointed out, that we all want to believe that things mean something after all. We mean something, after all, is how I read that. That's what we all believe, we do mean something and what we do matters. We want to be remembered, for that.  

  

Parents are people too

 After our parents pass, we begin to look at them in a different light. No longer do we speak of them in the first person now they are memories, not real people. It's that way with all people though, not just our parents, but my parents are on my mind this morning. In three weeks my Mom will have been gone for a year. That's a strange saying isn't it, gone? Yes, they are gone from this world, but not from our lives. 

 I was talking with my brother just the other day and naturally we talked about Mom and to a lesser degree Dad. Dad has been gone for thirty two years. I noticed how the conversation involving them had changed. We were speaking about them as though they were historical figures. That is to say in a historical sense. We were analyzing the how and why of them. No longer just Mom and Dad, they had become people. People that had lived and died, loved, had dreams and failures. Real people that had affected our lives and our choices. In a sense we both felt as though we were now free to say whatever we please, without reservation, in regards to them.

 Some time back I had written a story about my grandmother Bennett. She was my moms' mom. My mother read that story and was very upset about it. She informed me I was talking about her mother and I had no right to say anything about her! I tried to understand what the problem was, I pointed out that she was my grandmother, but that didn't matter at all. I had told the story of my grandmother from my perspective and how I thought she may have felt. I thought it a touching tribute to a remarkable woman. My mother held an opposing view of the entire thing! I discussed that with my brother and he is equally as baffled and she lived with him the last five years of her life. I had written what I thought was historically accurate account of her life. My Mother thought it was all slanderous. 

 I haven't written an account of Dad or Mom. It's something I have hesitated to do. I still have a lot of bias in that regard and I'm quite aware of that. I have learned things about my parents that were surprising and sometimes less than flattering.   Yes, I discovered they were just people, much like everyone else. There is much I do not know. How much did I not know about my Grandmother? Perhaps that is what upset my Mother so. She didn't attempt to correct the story, offer any alternative analysis, but she must have been aware of things I am not. At the time the story was written my mom was the last one of grandma's ten children still alive. My mothers' parents and siblings were all gone. Her four husbands, all gone. Her oldest child gone. Thinking about it my mother always referred to her mother as, momma. That's what she always said, momma. Momma did this or that, Momma. I'm guessing that in my mothers mind, her mother remained as momma, if that makes any sense.

 As I said, Mom has been gone for almost a year now and I am seeing her in a different way. Yes, she was my mother and will forever be my mother. Still somewhere along the way she became a person too. A person with different ideas, views, and beliefs than myself. That isn't to say we didn't get along, we certainly enjoyed each others company. I do see her differently now. She was never one to share her feelings or doubts. Oh she would get angry no doubt about, that but she showed no weakness. I would have to say she wasn't exactly what I would describe as maternal. That she loved and cared for me and my siblings is without question. She made sure we had what we needed and tried to give us what we wanted as well. It's just that she wasn't overly maternal. Being the youngest of ten I'm thinking she may have been spoiled just a bit when she was growing up. Perhaps she was more comfortable being taken care of, then doing the caring. 

 In writing these words I feel like I'm saying something bad about her. You know it's bad luck to speak ill of the dead, advice mom often handed out. But I'm not speaking bad about her, just telling the truth from my perspective. I feel qualified to do so. Should someone choose to write a story about me after I'm gone, I would want it to be honest. A sort of biography is what I'm thinking about. But a synopsis is closer to what I have in mind. That is what I wrote about grandmother Bennett, a synopsis of her life. I do intend to write one for Dad and Mom one day for the grandkids to possibly read. That's a portion of why I'm writing all these blogs. I want the truth out there! I do think it is best to write your story. If you don't, someone else might. Others may not see things the way you do, could lead to misunderstandings. Hard to correct any misunderstanding after you are gone. Thing is I wonder if I ever understood my parents. Parents are people too. Takes a long time to fully understand that.  

Like it is

  I'm a little late getting started this morning. I did glance up at the news and saw this scene. Some politician is addressing an audience. There are at least six people standing behind him as he gives this speech. Neither he nor the ones standing behind him are wearing masks. That's fine, but the person doing the sign language beside him is wearing a mask! My immediate thought is, the only one not talking is the one wearing the mask. Then I thought, shouldn't she be wearing gloves. Oh, I just can't stand it, the foolishness of the whole situation. But, we're following the guidelines.

 I don't know it seems to get more ridiculous every day. A judge ruled that we no longer have to wear the mask. Where was this judge the last two years? Now I'm in the camp of wear a mask if that is what makes you feel good, I'll try my best not to snicker at you. This decision has triggered some of those liberal folks though, no doubt about that. The same people that believed it would take just a few weeks to "flatten the curve" are now upset, two years later that we aren't wearing a mask. The curve isn't flat enough! They want a flat line. That will never happen, the virus is here to stay people, in all its' mutations. That's how virus's roll. A vaccine, twelve boosters and numerous tests will not kill it. Might kill you though. You are far more likely to die from heart disease, cancer, diabetes or killing yourself however. That's a simple fact. Haven't flattened the curve on any of those either. As far as small children go, they are more likely to drown in a swimming pool than from covid-19. Although that is 100% preventable. Go figure.

 Well I'm happy the weather is going to be considerably warmer today, thanks to global warming. I sure am glad it warms up in the spring, let's me know everything is alright, I'd sure get nervous if it didn't. I see upstate New York has a snow delay for their spring. Yeah, it happens. The weather I mean. We do our best to predict that stuff but the bottom line is, it's still a guess. We do good with five days, about 90% accurate but after ten days you might as well toss a coin. We are right about half the time. Interesting to note that flipping a penny isn't really 50/50 though. More like 51/49. The heads side has an advantage.

 And now there is the big discussion about preferred pronouns. The issue centers around trans and non-binary people. Well the thing is this, first, you are one or the other, there is no third or fourth choice. Fact is, you don't get to choose, that is "assigned" at birth. People are losing their jobs, filing lawsuits about the use of pronouns! What does common core have to say about pronouns? "A third person pronoun in which a person chooses to be referred to indicate their gender identity." That is what Google provides as an explanation. So basically when a he wants to be called a she, or she a he, or something else? There was an expert on television explaining that teenagers that are not called by their preferred pronouns are 50% more likely to commit suicide. The only solution being, go along with their delusions, support them in believing they are something other than what they actually are. That's for the sake of their mental health! In short, the doctors advice, humor them. Their preference should take precedence over reality. No longer do we say sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me. No, now words will make me kill myself if you don't say what I want to hear. Guess that's progress. As for me. I'll just tell it like it is, learned that from Walter who told us "the way it was" every day. 

the relatives

 It is sometimes difficult to relate to the relatives. That is to say, have a personal relationship with them. That has never been more apparent than in today's world. With the advent of social media, and all the ancestry programs available, we have discovered lost portions of our tree. We also discover just how different those relatives can be in ideology, philosophy and religious belief. It's like they are strangers! And I am fully aware that is a two way street. I'm certain they have the same thoughts about me, maybe more so with my ramblings and postings. I certainly make my feelings known.

 I see the memes' on Facebook talking about cousins. I never really knew my cousins. For whatever reasons we just didn't interact with one another very much. My Mom spent most of her time with two of her sisters and neither of them had children. She had other brothers and sisters, seven others in fact, that had children. I seldom heard anything about them, like they lived in a different world almost. A few names were familiar to me, mostly for alleged misdeeds these cousins had performed. I even went to school with some although I was unaware of that at the time. Amazing when you think about it. I lived in my little world and they in theirs. Today that world is much larger but the circles are still the same size. Our own worlds.

 We do feel a natural kinship when we learn of that kinship. We feel like that person should somehow share our views. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is something I discovered first hand, more than once. Now that isn't to say I don't recognize them as my relatives, they certainly are, but the question is how we relate. The answer is simply that we are all products of our environment, not necessarily products of our heritage. Heritage is that which we inherit from those that raise us, from our upbringing. Really it is just what we inherit from the previous generation or in some cases, the generation previous to that. Beyond that, you do not inherent a thing from the past. 

 My second great grandfather immigrated from Germany in 1856. He was the last German that could pass down that heritage. I'm certain he did pass down some traditions, some beliefs, but teaching his children to be Germans wasn't the goal. No, the goal was to become an American, to enjoy the opportunities America had to offer, that was, after all, the reason he came here in the first place. It wasn't to make America, Germany. I have inherited zero German heritage as far as tradition, beliefs or customs. I'm no German. Germany is one of the countries my ancestors came from, nothing more.

 It's the same with relatives. Our relatives are as diverse as nationalities. Those relatives that grew up in the same neighborhood as my own generally share the same view. Those relatives raised elsewhere, have a different view. That's true across the entire spectrum. Social and financial standing plays a role as well. Many times popular causes are simply those causes you can afford. It's easy to insist upon charity, when you have excess. And it isn't always about money. Supporting the popular cause may be to increase your own wealth or status. It comes down to worth and affordability. Is it worth it? Depends upon if you can afford it. That's how it works.

 I was just thinking about all of that when it occurred to me about relatives. I think we do have an expectation that we will all get along. It comes as a bit of a surprise to learn that we don't. I don't mean fighting with them, or engaging in any of that, just that we don't seem to relate to one another. Just like they are regular people! But they're not, they are our relatives. It's true even when we don't know it. 

 But, on the other hand, we are all related to one another in some fashion, no matter how distant. That is the goal of ancestry, to plot that relationship. We are always excited to learn that we are somehow related to a famous person. It doesn't matter how distant that relationship may be, you will say I'm related. Think of descendants of the Mayflower, General Custer, Billy the Kid or the Pope. You would claim that relationship if it were true, you know you would. Riding the coattails is what that is called. Depending on how distant that relationship is, you might even claim it as it relates to a criminal like Jack the Ripper or Charles Manson! But, in general, it has to be an acceptable criminal. No Hitlers, Stalin's, or the like. Don't want that relationship.

 I'm always interested to talk to a relative, no matter how distant they may be. I would like to know their story. If their story interacts with my own in some fashion that is even better. What I mean is if we knew common ancestors personally. I knew some of the Aunts and Uncles, others I only heard about. Same with their children. And then there are those common connections to be considered. People that we each may have known, not necessarily relatives, but friends of relatives. Like being friends of friends on Facebook. 

 With a relative there is an expectation of a personal relationship. That's what I think anyway, as illogical as that seems. There is no reason to believe that other than a blood connection. Well, a DNA connection these days. I have my DNA on Ancestry.Com and get notifications of "relatives" every now and again. I haven't been reunited with any relative that created a personal connection. No big surprises, nothing worthy of Maury or Jerry Springer. Maybe one day, you never know. It's said that family gatherings can be a source of "unrest" and that's true enough. It's also true when meeting the relatives a bit more distant from the core family. And let's not even start on the in-laws! Talk about relating to the relatives! It's difficult at times. Surprising, confusing and frustrating. At least that's how it is with others, me, I'm a delight. I'm that Uncle that everyone loves. I'm going with that. Hey, it's all relative. 

facing the truth

  Remembering the truth is not holding a grudge. There are many people that seem to not fully understand that. A grudge implies ill will with some desire for revenge or retribution. Simply remembering the truth, the origins of a particular situation or action is being prudent. We are supposed to learn from the past to avoid a repeat in the future. Einstein is credited with that famous adage about doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results being insanity. I agree with him, he was a pretty smart guy and wise as well. The two of those things aren't always bedfellows. Education and wisdom are different things altogether. 

 I don't recall ever being accused of holding a grudge. That isn't to say there aren't those that just don't agree with me, or my memories. But I'm just remembering the truth, albeit I would agree it is my truth. I'm repeating whatever lessons, whatever wisdom I may have acquired over the years. The value of that is determined solely by me, you are free to accept or reject it. Its value will be compared to your own. Yes, it will be judged. Judged against your personal feelings and judged against popular opinion. I'm quite aware of all that. 

  Another popular adage says, misery loves company. I'd say that was the truth. When others are unhappy, undecided, or lacking in confidence they do seek company. That is the basis of groups, organizations, cults, and gangs. People seeking validation from others for what they believe to be truth. It is a need that has grown exponentially as man became exposed to other cultures. Like children in a candy store the decisions are much harder to make. Over stimulated, the reaction is to freeze. Beyond that, the reaction is just to join in with the popular opinion. At least you are not alone. The justification becomes, everyone was doing it.

 Time does not change truth. Living with the truth should be the goal. Knowing the truth and adapting your response to that truth is called wisdom. That is the purpose of knowledge. What was wrong yesterday, is still wrong today. Finding a way to justify that wrong doesn't make it right. In a Biblical sense the lesson is about the "sins of the father" and the implications of that. Basically, it means that the children should not be punished for the sins of their fathers, or vice-versa. Really, learn from the past. The Bible also tells us to make no recompense to man for evil. It will not change the evil. Evil in this context being wrong.

 When you tell the truth, and that truth upsets others, it's usually because it's like saying, I told you so. That surely is an irritation, isn't it? I know that it is for me. I also know the satisfaction of saying that to others. Call it whatever you wish but it is a satisfaction when you can say, told you so. It's a form of self-validation that others have to agree with, when the truth lies before them. They are upset, distraught, disappointed, or maybe just incredulous. Yet, there it is, I told you so. Yeah, I hate it when that happens. Forced to admit the truth! A bitter pill indeed. Forced to live with that truth is even worse.

 I'd say there are many people today being faced with the truth, and that is why we're seeing the response we are. It is truly a bitter pill to swallow. They are truly surprised, distraught, disappointed and incredulous. The reaction is, but I thought. Thing is, they aren't thinking, they are reacting. Emotions are great motivators, but seldom great guides. People need to calm down and think about what they are doing! It's great to eat all the candy, until you get a stomachache!  

the good old days

 We are told, beginning in childhood, to study and work hard. We should strive to improve ourselves and the world around us. To; make things better. And so, the majority of us will do just that. Whatever path we take through education and vocation, we try to be better, make it better, improve the conditions. We do so for ourselves and our children. The more altruistic of us concern ourselves with the greater good, indeed, some will become concerned with the entire world! 

 Then the day comes when we begin to look back. With age comes sentiment. We review the past, the way things were, and think about our accomplishments. And in what can only be the ultimate irony, we long for that past, for the way things were because, things were better back then. The good old days and we miss them. That is the reality for most of us. The days before we really began to make a "change." Those are the days we long so much for. The security of youth. 

 Now I realize that not everyone enjoyed that security as a child, but I only speak from my perspective. I would say I was raised in a middle-class family; lower middle class is probably a bit more accurate. I did have security, a roof over my head, food to eat, parents that cared, siblings that "guided" me, and a place in the community. I was well aware of what was expected of me, and what was required as well. It was a comfortable world. I didn't have everything I wanted, but I had what I needed. And that, that is security. That is the security of youth. That is what made those days "good." 

 The blame for the way things are today is always at the feet of someone else. At least in my own mind they are. I've certainly done my best to preserve the past, the moral and ethical values of the past. Well, okay, I have modified those just a bit from what my parents may have believed, what they tried to instill in me, but only for the better. I did make things better. Better for me anyway. That's the truth of the matter. When things become uncomfortable for us, the longing for the good old days begin. It's a result of feeling like you can no longer make a difference, make a change, it is once again out of your hands. 

 The only difference between that feeling today and that feeling when you were a child is the one of empowerment. A word we hear bantered about a great deal these days. When I was young it was called being "responsible" but today it is empowerment. The difference may be subtle, but there is a difference. A responsibility is an obligation, empowerment is permission. I wasn't taught that I needed permission, I was taught it was an obligation. Any empowerment was to come from within myself. God helps those who help themselves is the lesson I was taught. You help yourself by doing what is right. It's your responsibility!

 The good days. Those were the days when you were secure in your person, secure in who you were, and your place in the world. The days lay before you to mold and change. There was optimism. What makes that time good, is the knowledge of how those days turned out. That is security. Security is knowing the answers. That is how I did it back in the day and it worked great. In fact, most people were doing it that way. 

 I can laugh at the mistakes, the missteps, the lack of judgement I sometimes displayed, those days are over. I remember the triumphs, the good old days. I try to pass that knowledge on to the next generation. First with my own children, then with the grandchildren. I do leave out the major mistakes, the major flaws in my character. I may hint at them to make a point, saying I know what they are feeling or doing, I've been there and done that. I'm certain, like younger people do, they hear that with doubt. After all, old people are old, what would they know of the modern world, of the new? This is now!

 I've done what I could. That's how I feel about it all. All I can do now is write my stories, tell the tales, and offer advice. That's my role at this point. It's what I'm supposed to be doing, it's an obligation. I haven't come this far to just give up. I can tell you how it was in the good old days. Everything old will become new again. That's how it works. The only way to discover what will work, and what won't, is to try it. I get that, I understand that completely. All I can really tell you is what worked for me. Thing is, if you aren't doing that, I feel like you are probably wrong. I feel an obligation to inform you of that. You're welcome. I mean, that's how we did it back in the day, in the good old days anyway.     

A common independence

  Independence is only achieved with a common goal. That is one of the subtilties lost on a lot of folks. All these people crying about the ability to just do their own thing. All this talk of inclusion is really just a justification for driving wedges in every crack of human nature. Doing the right thing, taking the correct course of action, requires discipline and commitment. That is the path to true independence, independence as a nation of people. We have to act as a cohesive unit, with a common goal in mind. And I have to question, what is the common goal of today? What are we striving to do, to create? Is it any different than yesterdays?  

  There are two paths. There is political ideology and there is spirituality. All the paths branch off from those two. The destination however is the same, an independent society united in that common goal. An independent society that provides individual security. The best of everything. The political path provides for the here and now whereas the spiritual one promises the future. You could say the difference between being selfish and being altruistic. The more we remain on the political path the farther we move from the spiritual path. The political path relies on power and the religious one on faith. 

  But back to the question, what are we trying to create here? What is the goal of America, indeed the common goal of mankind? Is it to have an entire planet of people all pursuing one goal? I ask, what is that goal? Is it to explore space, to travel interstellar, bring humanity to other planets? Or is the goal for all of us to simply live together in peace and harmony. To inhabit the planet, to live with the planet and do what? Is it enough to pass our beliefs, our traditions, and our thoughts to future generations without end? 

 To live forever. Is that the ultimate goal? Is that life controlled by a force greater than our own? That is the spiritual question. We know that our bodies will not last all that long, they will simply wear out. Then we are concerned with the soul, the energy that gives us emotion. That is the life we all question. Some have decided that life will simply vanish, end when the body stops functioning. For others the belief is just the opposite, that energy will continue on forever. Then it becomes a matter of placement. Just where does it go? 

 I have no more answers to these questions than anyone else. Yes, I have my thoughts, my ideas and my beliefs. I have decided when it comes right down to it the truth is simply what you believe. Others may present empirical evidence to contradict your belief but, if you really believe it, it doesn't change a thing. I have also determined the hardest person to convince is yourself. That's if you are honest with yourself that is. If your belief depends upon others believing the same thing, you don't really believe it. Guess you could say it is an independent belief. It's wonderful when others share that independence with you. A commonality of belief. Maybe that is the goal, man's ultimate achievement. 

 Happy Easter to those that celebrate. 

God help us

  A few things I heard on the news today.

Marilyn Mosby, city states attorney for Baltimore is under federal indictment. She filed a motion to dismiss and had her day in court. The motion was denied. At the press conference following that procedure she is being interviewed. After listing a litany of reasons that the ruling was unfair to her, she finished with this statement. I'm looking forward to my day in court. I will prevail as I always do! I couldn't help but notice Marilyn, you just lost your motion. You literally did not prevail!

  Another thought provoking insight was provided by the main stream media. It was pointed out that inflation is at a forty year high, it's a new record. Yet, despite that consumers are spending more money than ever! I wonder if it occurred to the experts that it was because everything cost more. Not only that, consumers went farther in debt using their credit cards. Imagine that, inflation, unemployment, and supply chain issues causing people to actually spend more money? Who could have guessed?

 The board of directors at Twitter have swallowed a poison pill! That's right, they would rather devalue the stock of the company than allow Musk to purchase a majority holding or outright purchase the company. I did read briefly about that tactic as I'm not real familiar with big business practices. The way I understand it is you are basically "biting off your own nose to spite your face", to coin an old phrase.

 The state of Maryland has passed a gas tax holiday for thirty days. That will expire tomorrow. The newscasters are urging everyone to fill up quickly before that happens. The reason for that? Because everyone will be rushing to fill up. So the message is, create a rush today, before the rush tomorrow. That tax is thirty six cents on the gallon. Yes it's a big savings on a tank, I get that. It was to be extended but the Democrats in the state legislature refused to extend that citing the budget. We only have a 2.5 Billion dollar surplus! The Democrats feel we need the money for social programs, especially in the shooting gallery that is Baltimore. The newest plan is to simply pay the criminals not to commit crimes. That'll solve all those issues with "underprivileged" communities.

 And I heard about a new test for Covid. It's a breath test. 91% accurate in detecting when you do have covid, 100% effective when you don't! It will only give a false positive about 9% of the time. If you really don't have covid it is accurate 100% of the time. That's because, you don't have covid. LOL Gotta love the spin they put on things like that. If I don't have covid I could use any test I want and it will be 100% accurate every time, I don't have covid. But the results are available in hours. Rush in the moment you feel you might have contracted that virus. How would you know? If you haven't been wearing your mask, staying six feet away from others, been vaxed and boosted and have a cough or sniffles! You might have covid or one of the variants. Now even the variants have variants! Love it.

 Yeah, I did hear that summer is coming, with that, warmer temperatures. You are going to need air conditioning! That damn global warming is going to cause a spike in temperatures and as a result an increase in electricity usage. You need to do your part to save the planet by buying an electric car! In doing so you will reduce the carbon footprint and lower global temperatures. Then you won't need to run that air conditioner creating a drain on the infrastructure! The electric cars can be charged at night, when it's cooler outside, saving you money. 

  I also heard a debate about teaching kindergarten kids about gender identification. The proponents claiming the children need to be taught about different families. Some have two mommies and some have two daddies. The daddies are men, the mommies are women. I so wanted to ask them about that. Doesn't that conflict with what you are trying to say? I mean you are now identifying genders based on gender? What's up with that? Those same people were saying the children should be also be taught that there can be more than two parents, you could have three or four. 

 The news can be amusing, or it can drive your blood pressure up. It does both to me on a regular basis. This morning I'm just chuckling over the nonsense, All I can say is, God help us. Seems as though half the country needs a slap in the face! But we're not supposed to do that anymore. Riot, burn, pillage, take over a few city blocks when you don't feel like justice was served the way you wanted, that's being a activist! Speak against that, and you're a domestic terrorist. God help us.    

 

all a'twitter

  Seems as though some folks are all a twitter about Elon Musk wanting to buy twitter. See what I did there? Elon made them a good offer and there is a profit to be made by whoever holds those shares. That's Capitalism baby. It's how the world rolls when it is rolling. But those opposed to the capitalist way are all upset. I'm amused by their cries of "freedom." They are saying that one man shouldn't be able to own that business because he could control what people say. Uh, yeah. that's what being the owner of the company gets to do. It's up to the consumer to "buy" it or not. You know, same as Zuckerberg does with Facebook. I've been in FB jail on a few occasions for violating his "standards." Yeah well, like I always say when that happens, it's his ball and he can go home anytime he wants to. 

 I have a twitter account although I haven't used it since I created that account. Nope, I don't tweet at all. I have no clue what the password for that account would be or when I did that. I don't follow anyone on twitter either. Guess it is just because I'm an "old" guy as was pointed out by other social media users a few times. That happens when I start talking about traditional morality and values, I'm just an old person. Those folks check your profile page, something I rarely think to do. I'm not in the habit of reading your resume before talking with you, even when you are a stranger. I just sorta take your word for who you are and that you mean the words you type. To be honest about that I don't really trust the profile page any more than I trust your post. Either one may be, shall we say, misleading or deceptive. Some people do embellish just a bit. I do that by omission! But, I'm old.

 The whole thing about Elon Musk purchasing Twitter is a non concern of mine. I have no stock in the company. If he buys it and it fails because those on the left choose to boycott it, it's his money. That's what doing business is all about. There are those saying that would give Elon Musk the power to control the freedom of speech, to control what people read, control what people think or say. I say, only if you allow that to happen. 

 Freedom and independence go hand in hand. That includes independent thought! Yes, you really do have to think for yourself. Just wearing ribbons isn't enough. Remember when your Mom would say, if everyone else jumped off the bridge would you do that too? That's how it works in the real world. If everyone on twitter is doing or saying this or that does that mean you will to? If it does, you need to think about that. It's easy to be popular, make lots of friends, as long as you are willing to exclude yourself from that relationship. I can say with certainty, no one is making me say or believe anything that I don't agree with. It's true I am not the most popular person on the planet. I'm aware of those that hold a different opinion. Thing is I can only be who I am, I don't know how to be anyone else. I don't want to be anyone else, well if that person has billions of dollars I would give it a try, heck, I might even try for a couple million. 

 So I heard all the cries about Facebook blocking people, putting us in jail and restricting our freedom of speech. It is an outrage. The fact checkers weren't really checking the facts, they were checking opinions. Misinformation and deception. Zuckerberg has no right to do that! But Elon Musk buying twitter shouldn't be allowed because he says he will allow free speech. That's the big issue. The fear is, people will be able to post whatever they want! We can't have that. Someone has to monitor all of that! I mean, we are required by some unwritten law or code to use twitter. We have to. In doing so we will be influenced, maybe even misled. Why it's like reading a book, and we all know some of them need to be banned! An unrestricted social media platform? We can't have that!

 The bottom line in all of this is simple enough to understand. It is about making a profit. Yes Elon has said he doesn't care about making more money. If I'm the richest man on the face of the earth I can afford to say that. He has about 100 billion more dollars than Jeff Bazos! He isn't attempting to buy Twitter because he wants to lose money even though he can certainly absorb the loss. No, twitter will still be run to make a profit. You realize this guy could just simply start his own twitter if the mood struck him. He may do that and put twitter out of business. I think Elon Musk has his finger on the pulse of America. He can see the writing on the wall and feel the shift in attitude. All good businessmen do that. It's time for a platform free of censorship, except for what the "censor" believes should be censored. Instead of reading the prepared answers, perhaps it's time for people to start asking the questions. A social dialogue. Imagine that. If that scares you, you are the problem.    

telling tales

  It's a shame. All my very best stories are the ones I don't want to tell other people. It is like those meme's on Facebook, I'm fortunate that there is no record of my foolishness and missteps. The only people that know them beside myself are either passed now, or old. The dead tell no tales, and all my old friends I can just call senile! That isn't what happened at all. Still there are times when I would like to share those stories with others but my better judgement tells me to be quiet. I forget who said it but it is true, "better to remain silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and to remove all doubt."  I will have been married for thirty eight years this November and have only recently begun to tell my wife some of those stories. In some of those stories the names are changed to protect the innocent. 

 But the truth about those stories is they are best only when shared with the participants. Those are the old memories we treasure the most, in some cases. We have all heard about Sailors and their sea stories and I certainly have my share of them, but we all have "sea stories" to tell. Those stories do not usually contain any good moral message, hold any redeeming value, but rather show our weaknesses and bad judgement. The things we have learned to laugh about, with no desire to repeat. Yes, it was fun at the time, seemed like a good idea, or otherwise ill advised, but makes a great tale to tell. 

 It is the stuff of nostalgia. That's the attraction to that. It's always fun to relate the tale with those that were there and hear their take on it. Rarely do the stories match. Your really close friends will not dispute your story, they show you that kindness. Others that may have been present, may not! Then we have a clash of memory. As I said, no evidence, no proof, no recordings or tweets exist and for that I am grateful. You know, people say they forgive and forget but I don't believe that. They may forgive but they don't forget. Judgement is based on past experiences and past behaviors. Fool me once and that whole thing. That's the way it works in the world.

 Another great attribute of those old stories is they are like a fine wine, they do get better with age. I'm old enough, been around long enough to see what was outrageous behavior in my teens become commonplace, almost expected. The downside to that is that it removes some of the excitement of the story. That happens when trying to tell succeeding generations the story. Those folks have yet to mature enough to appreciate that wine. It takes a refined taste to understand the subtilities of the past. After years of telling the story it does become more refined. When all possibility of offense or outrage has been removed the tale can be told. I guess you can say they become more a fable than a memory in many cases. The truth has been blurred just a bit. Still there is a bit of truth in every lie and every fable ever told. 

 I heard some stories about my father growing up, from his friends. Tales of his misadventures and poor judgment. He would neither confirm nor deny them. I often saw a wry smile on his face though and a bit of spark in his eyes. He was reliving that memory. The only stories he confirmed where the ones with a positive outcome, human nature I would say. I tell my stories a bit more readily than the generation previous to my own. That is true I think for every generation. The current one has to deal with all the recording and documentation of their actions. My grandson for example is very conscious of all that and is very careful about his "social" presence. Something I can say I never gave a thought to back in the day. I had lots of fun, worked hard, made good decisions and was a responsible citizen! Anyone telling you anything different is either a liar, suffering from altimeters or senile. I'm telling the story here. 

 Now if you want to hear some tales about those crazy people I did hang out with when I was younger, I've got a ton of those. Nothing wrong with my memory! I grew up in a very small town and so my choices were limited. I tried my best to be a guiding force in their lives. I admit, sometimes things went off the rails as the kids say today. Not my fault though. I've talked with a few of them over the years and they seem to have a different take on all of that. They're senile.   

Old people

 I admit it, I like to leave comments on the New York Times postings on Facebook. The responses are always amusing to me. It's like meeting aliens or something, their opinions so different from my own. Must be city folks. Products of an urban society spoiled by convenience. They certainly do not seem to understand the concept of independent living. Yesterday there was an article about cutting the work week to 32 hours and having three day weekends forever! I made some comment about that, something to the effect of, great, more time to try to figure out what they are. Something like that. A short exchange took place with unknown parties engaging me with the typical name calling and absence of any real facts. Then it was explained to me. Someone explained that I was an "older" person and so I wouldn't know about having a good time and enjoying your life. Us "old" people just want to work all the time and be secure. I explained how that was called, responsibility. That ended the discussion, as they obviously scrambled off to find out what that was. As I said, always amusing to talk to the aliens.

 So I got to thinking about us "old" folks and how we are working all the time. Guess we should thank the Democrats and city folks for changing that. They were the ones organizing the unions, to get better pay, less hours, and safer working conditions. Of course since all of that has happened the cost of living has done nothing but increase. And as a result we need to advocate for better pay, less hours and affordable housing because we can't afford to party more and work less. We really should be more focused on "having a good time and enjoying the fruits of our labors" as one respondent informed me. That's what life is all about after all. That's what I was told anyway. My idea that we should be focused on providing for the next generation, ie: our children and their children, was met with a gasp. That's not right, we should be having a good time now! We earned that! We didn't actually do anything to earn it, it's an entitlement, the purpose of government. 

 The biggest issue with those respondents? They were offended. Offended that they had to go to work at all, offended that they were not the center of the universe. They should be having a good time! Life is having a good time! Just like when they were children and Mommy and Daddy took care of them, tried to make them happy. They shouldn't have to work forty whole hours in a week! OMG, when are they going to party and have a good time? What's the point in working if you can't squander your earnings on entertainment? That's just offensive. Work less and earn more. That's the plan! Eventually we can all just "work" from home and party all we want, having a good time. That's eutopia. Everyone just gets to do what they want, receive a generous salary, get free health care, great housing, and vacations for every occasion. You get your Birthday week off, with pay. All the holidays you get at least two weeks off, having a baby, a year or so ought to be good.

 Of course I remind myself many of those people also believe you can choose your gender. They celebrate that. Having a good time I presume? Well they are, until someone tells them about reality that is, then they are offended. Or someone doesn't use their preferred pronoun. Very offensive. 

 When we work we are doing so for the benefit of others. Yes, we receive compensation for that work, that effort, but ultimately it is to benefit others. Whether that other is your employer, your family or some future generation, that is the purpose of that work. It is your contribution to society. How many hours of work do you trade to go to a concert, watch a movie and have a night on the town? Working to be entertained? And so now we should work less to be entertained more. Thing is, sooner or later, somebody is going to have to go to work! It's like all the "free" stuff, it really isn't free, someone has to work for that. But I'm an "old" person and us "old" people are always going to work. Imagine that, having a work ethic! What's next, morality? Old people sure are strange.      

 

because you can

  It was on this day in 1861 when the first shots of the civil war were fired. A number of my ancestors were eventually involved in that conflict. Almost everyone would become involved with that before its' conclusion four years later. No one expected it to last that long. No one anticipated the carnage and death that would take place. What the fight was over is still debated among scholars to this day. The end result was a strengthening of the federal government. I believe that is universally agreed upon by everyone. Of course, the issue most discussed is the one of slavery. Slavery was the economic engine that drove the southern states, no doubt about that, although by 1861 that was changing. New inventions in farming equipment and labor saving techniques were slowly replacing the need for a large labor force. Just like today machines were taking jobs from people. It wasn't a bad thing then, for the same economic reasons as today. Machines can work 24/7, don't need rest, food or housing. A one time investment can make large returns. 

 The other big issue often cited for fighting is states rights. The southern states believing that the federal government was infringing upon their right to govern themselves. Remember we were only a few generations away from the Federalists. The Federalists were the first political party in America. They favored a strong central government in opposition to the anti-federalists that wanted the individual states to have greater power. Eventually Federalists became what we call Republicans today and Democrats anti-federalists. That's way over simplified but that's the gist of it. The Bill of Rights were added to the Constitution in response to the anti-federalists that felt the Constitution didn't do enough to protect individual rights.

 Abraham Lincoln summed it up best with his a house divided against itself cannot stand speech. He said that in a speech in 1858 while running for the Senate. That is actually a quote from the Bible. Jesus tells the people that divided they shall not stand. Lincoln is, of course, talking about the union. It wasn't the "union" at that time however, that isn't what it was called, it was simply the federal government. And the division Lincoln was talking about wasn't solely based in the practice of slavery or its' abolition. No, Lincoln was saying, we all need to be on the same page. Just as true today as it was then.

 One hundred and sixty one years after that first shot was fired, in some ways the war rages on. The house is still divided. It will always be divided. That is the nature of men. That's what Jesus was talking about and I'm certain he heard that from his parents and contemporaries as well. The struggle is still the same. Government vs individual rights. Here in the United States we have that sub-group of the national government, the states with their legislatures. We aren't alone in that as many other countries have "federalist" regions or states if you wish. The battle has always been, and remains, between those and the federal government. The strength of the federal government is the issue at hand. A very familiar one.

 For me, in my simplistic approach, I see it simply. The federal government is supposed to be the adult in the room, and the citizens its' children. The primary purpose of government is to establish standards of conduct. We call those "laws." What is the purpose of law? Establish minimum standards of conduct, maintain order and resolve disputes. Yup, just like your parents did. You didn't always like that, or agree with that, but it was always done in your best interest. You may have disagreed with as well, but as the saying goes, the buck has to stop somewhere. No one likes to be told, no. 

 When the south fired upon Fort Sumter the message to the federal government was, you can't tell me what to do! They rebelled. Damn rebels. And there you have it in a nutshell. The southern states felt the federal government didn't have the power to direct their ways, they got to decide that for themselves. Unionists seized upon the most morally reprehensible act they could find, slavery, to justify their response to this insolence. Never mind that slavery existed in the north, don't let that distract you, the objective is to throw that mud at the other fellow.

  The same thing is going on today. Individual states are now saying that "marijuana" is legal in their state. The fact is, it is still illegal on the federal level. The federal government agents can still arrest and prosecute anyone caught with that substance. In 1863 Lincoln famously signed the Emancipation Proclamation. That proclamation freed all the slaves in the southern states. It didn't free the ones being held by union states however. That didn't happen until 1865. Yes, slavery existed in the north under certain circumstances and provisions, basically loopholes. Also today abortion laws are different in each state, legalized by the federal government in Roe V Wade, it remains controversial. Many states are making it far more difficult to obtain that procedure. Depends upon which side of that issue you stand doesn't it? 

 Will there be another civil war? I'd suggest that it has never ended. I do think that at some point, if history is any guide at all, the United States as we know it today will dissolve. Just as Jesus said, a people divided cannot stand. When the people have drained the federal coffers, extracted everything they can from that entity, it will be abandoned. Our parents prepared us for the world as best they could. They tried to instill that sense of responsibility for the next generation in each of us. We were to elect our representatives based on that criteria. Which candidate will do the best for the "family?" It isn't supposed to be, what is best for me. I think that is being lost today. Ironic isn't it? True independence isn't being an individual. True independence is when you can operate within the framework of government, not in opposition to it. It was how, as a child I gained my independence. I had to show that I could operate within those constraints. When I did that, I was allowed to move freely about, unmonitored, unrestricted and unrestrained. Independence really means, just because you can, doesn't mean you should.           

Discriminating?

  When asked to define a woman our latest nominee to the Supreme Court failed to answer the question instead quipping, I'm not a biologist. Very clever, very funny. And now she has been confirmed and will take her seat in the fall. It's my hope she takes some biology classes in the meantime. But I know an easier way to gain that information, buy life insurance. Yes, all you would have to do is contact any life insurance agent, Jonathan from State Farm or Flo from progressive would do just fine. They even have toll free numbers you can call. 

 I recommend them because their companies have charts for life expectancy, divided by gender. The women get a lower rate generally speaking. Now if you are a man, no matter what you identify yourself as, you are going to get the man rate. That much I would bet my bottom dollar on. Insurance companies have no problem identifying which is which. Wonder if they all have to take a course in biology before getting that license to sell insurance? 

 I haven't heard anything about any of that in the news. No marches, no campaigns or protests. I haven't even heard of a lawsuit being filed. If I can now check gender X on my passport, which was recently signed into law, can't I just check female on my insurance application to gain the lower rate? Why not? Or are the insurance companies now going to include a gender X column? When they do, I'm betting the rates will be the highest on the chart, you know, as a form of insurance.

 I wonder if this has been questioned yet? Isn't that discriminatory? Dividing the rates between two genders when everyone knows there are at least four or five. I also suspect there are other charts and graphs the public isn't privy too regarding race, ethnicity and possibly other factors. Insurance companies are playing the odds! They really don't care what you think you are, they are going by the stats! If you are black, you are far more likely to have sickle cell disease. Insurance companies know that. If you are gay, you are more likely to contract aids. If you are a woman, you are more likely to get breast cancer. Men get prostate cancer. And all of that is figured into the rates charged. Guess you need to know a lot of biology and medicine before making those charts! How else would you know?

 I'm thinking that something needs to be done about all of this. And not just for life insurance, all insurance. Automobile insurance is just a bad, if not worse in its' discrimination between genders. Young girls are safer drivers than young guys! Well not if that young guy identifies as a young girl he doesn't! And what if he hasn't decided yet, you know received no assignment at birth, his parents preferring to let him choose? What about that? And why should my homeowner's insurance rate depend upon the neighborhood I live in? I'm thinking this whole insurance business is just a discriminatory industry! Equal rates for everyone! It's only fair. Different rates for men and women, how would they know, they're not biologists. medical professionals, they're statisticians! Stats are just racist! Something needs to be done.