Compassionate -- Disinterested
Involved -- Distant
Tolerant -- Unforgiving
Broadminded -- Narrow
Lenient -- Exacting
Suffering -- Insufferable
Liberal -- Conservative
Democrat -- Republican
Inclusive -- Exclusive
Not just words on a list; these are observations from news and politics. I am politically an Independent, so I get to watch from a perch as separated as I can manage, observing how the two major parties operate. I like the left side far better in most policy fights. I prefer the characteristics in the left column.
Never have I understood the attitude of desire to GET and to HAVE at the expense of others. The desire to GIVE and to SHARE makes my personal world a better place.
I live among Republicans. Do they ever give? Absolutely. Some wealthy neighbors have even been helpful to me personally. And on the grand scale, multi-millionaires give a great deal in numbers of dollars to charities and they pay taxes; the combination often totals as much as 25%, 35% or even more of their wealth. This leaves them with only many more millions to keep and to use in their struggle through life. On the macro level, the wealthy are able to do great things with their financial strength, and many do. [Witness the likes of Bill and Melinda Gates whose politics I don't even know but whose generosity is legendary.] Others may do awful things with it instead. [Witness the likes of Charles and David Koch whose politics I know very well and whose self-interest is legendary.]
I do realize that by listing those words in the introduction I am emphasizing huge generalities, but I am suggesting that we step back and look at the huge picture - the "macro" view. Do I know Democrats who are selfish and Republicans who are generous - on the micro level? Absolutely. But I am asking that you see the macro view and consider our nation's plight.
Observe Democrats. Do they give? Almost constantly, whether they have much to give or almost nothing (the "widow's mite," so to speak.) But more than just giving their meager amounts from their nominal wealth, they seem to want to see others benefit as much as possible, respecting the effort and strengths expended. (And policies generated by Democratic politicians tend more toward that inclusive attitude than do the policies prefered by Republicans.) If I am down-and-out for whatever reason, I will consider turning to them instead of the wealthy Republicans I know. Why? Because even though liberals may have little, they often share it with delight. Far better for me to accept miniscule amounts from truly giving people than to receive much larger amounts from those who have plenty and may give readily but will hold a string attached.
Happy Thanksgiving, regardless of your own views!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
November 22, 1963
Hard to believe tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most despicable acts in our known history.
Walking down the aisle on the third floor of the Sussman & Co textile warehouse in the riverfront district of Cincinnati when the news came over the always-playing radio, I stopped and felt frozen to the floor. Nothing in my innocent eighteen years of life had so hammered my conciousness of the world outside. Then I was shaken almost as severely when a short time later, while glued to television news for the weekend, I was so suddenly worldly-wise as to predict the demise of one Lee Harvey Oswald. It's true, and so profoundly recalled still today, that I told my housemate a day before Jack Ruby appeared out of the crowd at police headquarters, that I didn't think Oswald would live to stand trial. Then I watched his own shooting.
Innocence shattered!
Maybe finally, this year so long after the fact, I will ask my brother of his reaction on that day in '63. It was his twenty-first birthday. What a way to remember one's big, long-awaited milestone. How did he "celebrate?" What madness did he feel over the assassination? Was it similar to my own unbelieving state of almost blind rage and confusion?
Maybe this is the year I can finally ask him. But fifty years is not enough to ease the pain - it has been only more years and more pain to stand between the dates. I am in pain again with every view of the TV replays of that awful event.
My personal Camelot crumbled at the age of eighteen. Maybe Larry's two-and-one-half year head start on me had better prepared him for the horror. Maybe not.
Walking down the aisle on the third floor of the Sussman & Co textile warehouse in the riverfront district of Cincinnati when the news came over the always-playing radio, I stopped and felt frozen to the floor. Nothing in my innocent eighteen years of life had so hammered my conciousness of the world outside. Then I was shaken almost as severely when a short time later, while glued to television news for the weekend, I was so suddenly worldly-wise as to predict the demise of one Lee Harvey Oswald. It's true, and so profoundly recalled still today, that I told my housemate a day before Jack Ruby appeared out of the crowd at police headquarters, that I didn't think Oswald would live to stand trial. Then I watched his own shooting.
Innocence shattered!
Maybe finally, this year so long after the fact, I will ask my brother of his reaction on that day in '63. It was his twenty-first birthday. What a way to remember one's big, long-awaited milestone. How did he "celebrate?" What madness did he feel over the assassination? Was it similar to my own unbelieving state of almost blind rage and confusion?
Maybe this is the year I can finally ask him. But fifty years is not enough to ease the pain - it has been only more years and more pain to stand between the dates. I am in pain again with every view of the TV replays of that awful event.
My personal Camelot crumbled at the age of eighteen. Maybe Larry's two-and-one-half year head start on me had better prepared him for the horror. Maybe not.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Texas Kookfest
And this time it's the world of Judaism that's getting Bushwhacked. It was nice to have some years without seeing and hearing from President Alfred E. Neuman, but it couldn't last. REALLY nice knowing his fumble-fingers were no longer near the nuclear (uh - that's nukewler, to Alfred) button. The fool destroyed most of U. S. integrity and respect; it's probably just dumb luck he didn't blast the planet out of existence.
But there's still time for him to assist in more mayhem, and tonight he's scheduled to offend the Jews with his support of those radical christians who want so much to prepare our little globe for the end of life as we know it. Those idiot Jews have to be converted to a belief in the carpenter they killed so he can come roaring back and beat the hell out of them. So say the likes of Alfie
The whole thing is sad and would be funny if it weren't for the dead seriousness of the fanatical elements of our society. Maybe after today, the bulk of our semi-sane citizenry will at least recognize the fanaticism at the heart of that buffoon who was allowed eight years to plunder the American image and the American dream.
As usual, I will choose to be optimistic. Maybe this blast of stupidity and offensive actions by the favorite son of the ignorant Texas right wingnuts will cause a beautiful backlash. Perhaps the semi-sane portion of the body politic will grow in number and beat down such fanaticism at the polls. Maybe there are enough Texans with functioning brains to even elect a capable governor next year. Who knows - the whole backlash idea could spill over to other states and we may witness the casting out of the demon tea party in other elections next year. Try to imagine restoring Congress to a working body able to perform its duty of representing the American people!
Wow! I began this wee-hours ramble to ridicule our former president and national embarrassment who is scheduled to do it again by struggling through a speech and raising money for a bunch of "Jews for Jesus" kooks in Texas Stadium. But now I say, "Speak on, thou fool!" The backlash that could result from this fanatical fiasco might just inspire a national turn toward sanity.
But there's still time for him to assist in more mayhem, and tonight he's scheduled to offend the Jews with his support of those radical christians who want so much to prepare our little globe for the end of life as we know it. Those idiot Jews have to be converted to a belief in the carpenter they killed so he can come roaring back and beat the hell out of them. So say the likes of Alfie
The whole thing is sad and would be funny if it weren't for the dead seriousness of the fanatical elements of our society. Maybe after today, the bulk of our semi-sane citizenry will at least recognize the fanaticism at the heart of that buffoon who was allowed eight years to plunder the American image and the American dream.
As usual, I will choose to be optimistic. Maybe this blast of stupidity and offensive actions by the favorite son of the ignorant Texas right wingnuts will cause a beautiful backlash. Perhaps the semi-sane portion of the body politic will grow in number and beat down such fanaticism at the polls. Maybe there are enough Texans with functioning brains to even elect a capable governor next year. Who knows - the whole backlash idea could spill over to other states and we may witness the casting out of the demon tea party in other elections next year. Try to imagine restoring Congress to a working body able to perform its duty of representing the American people!
Wow! I began this wee-hours ramble to ridicule our former president and national embarrassment who is scheduled to do it again by struggling through a speech and raising money for a bunch of "Jews for Jesus" kooks in Texas Stadium. But now I say, "Speak on, thou fool!" The backlash that could result from this fanatical fiasco might just inspire a national turn toward sanity.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Memories
Not getting sentimental suddenly - just heard an old song and felt like commenting.
Though music affects me tremendously and I have previously pointed out songs that particularly inspire or entertain me, by far the most dramatic two lines of any song in my memory are the opening two of a song that I believe carries that title: "Memories."
For sheer poetry and semetry, how could anyone best these two lines: Memories, crushed between the pages of my mind - Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine - Those words were masterfully arranged.
Not far behind that example of the tunesmith's art are the words from a real oldie but goodie - probably from the 1940s - entitled (you guessed it) "Memories." Memories, memories - dreams of love so true - O'er the seas of memories I'm drifting back to you ... Nice!
Since memories can be so powerful to us humans, it's only right that song writers spend a good deal of time and extra-special effort on the subject. Good job!
Though music affects me tremendously and I have previously pointed out songs that particularly inspire or entertain me, by far the most dramatic two lines of any song in my memory are the opening two of a song that I believe carries that title: "Memories."
For sheer poetry and semetry, how could anyone best these two lines: Memories, crushed between the pages of my mind - Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine - Those words were masterfully arranged.
Not far behind that example of the tunesmith's art are the words from a real oldie but goodie - probably from the 1940s - entitled (you guessed it) "Memories." Memories, memories - dreams of love so true - O'er the seas of memories I'm drifting back to you ... Nice!
Since memories can be so powerful to us humans, it's only right that song writers spend a good deal of time and extra-special effort on the subject. Good job!
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Prince of Peace
Why wait until Xmas? The subject arose yesterday.
Sitting in a restaurant, I was reminded why I stopped going there several years ago; the blaring country music and the overwhelming displays of religiosity all around.
The largest hand-made cardboard sign (about 2ft. X 2 ft., hanging above the cash register) screamed: "There can be no peace on earth until the coming of the Prince of Peace." I naturally recoiled at the blatant ignorance as well as the stupidity of running a business while preaching at the customers. But I also thought about the sentiment. That was again, quite unfathomable to me.
Why would humanity want above all else, a coming absolute dictator to force us to be "at peace" with each other. That seemed to be the reasoning; peace will have to be forced upon our species or it can't be obtained at all. That was the mentality in our "old West" when they actually nicknamed a pistol, "the Peacemaker." Force people by threat of killing and maybe a few will struggle to stay peaceable among their neighbors. So just wait until that wonderful lord and master arrives with his six-shooters blazing at all humanity!
Why wait??? I personally am a prince of peace! Aren't you? Or perhaps you're a princess of peace? Don't the majority of all humans think peace is better than war? Are we not intelligent enough to find a way to make the peacefulness reign over the battles? I think we could manage. My friend Al, who publishes his blog, The Age of Reason - 21st Century makes a good point today. He promotes the concept that females are more equipped to negotiate and live in harmony than males have proven to be. So we should let the women politicians have their day; it may save our societies at last.
What kind of total foolishness says, "Yes, we all want peace, but since we are not capable of attaining it within our human strengths, let's all believe in and wait for that completely loveable yet dictatorial supreme being from the heavens to come here to force us to be better!?"
Stupidity kills.
Sitting in a restaurant, I was reminded why I stopped going there several years ago; the blaring country music and the overwhelming displays of religiosity all around.
The largest hand-made cardboard sign (about 2ft. X 2 ft., hanging above the cash register) screamed: "There can be no peace on earth until the coming of the Prince of Peace." I naturally recoiled at the blatant ignorance as well as the stupidity of running a business while preaching at the customers. But I also thought about the sentiment. That was again, quite unfathomable to me.
Why would humanity want above all else, a coming absolute dictator to force us to be "at peace" with each other. That seemed to be the reasoning; peace will have to be forced upon our species or it can't be obtained at all. That was the mentality in our "old West" when they actually nicknamed a pistol, "the Peacemaker." Force people by threat of killing and maybe a few will struggle to stay peaceable among their neighbors. So just wait until that wonderful lord and master arrives with his six-shooters blazing at all humanity!
Why wait??? I personally am a prince of peace! Aren't you? Or perhaps you're a princess of peace? Don't the majority of all humans think peace is better than war? Are we not intelligent enough to find a way to make the peacefulness reign over the battles? I think we could manage. My friend Al, who publishes his blog, The Age of Reason - 21st Century makes a good point today. He promotes the concept that females are more equipped to negotiate and live in harmony than males have proven to be. So we should let the women politicians have their day; it may save our societies at last.
What kind of total foolishness says, "Yes, we all want peace, but since we are not capable of attaining it within our human strengths, let's all believe in and wait for that completely loveable yet dictatorial supreme being from the heavens to come here to force us to be better!?"
Stupidity kills.
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