Five more days of rain -- but no hurricane in our laps, thanks to a cold front dipping down from the Midwest and fending off the "bad weather" and keeping it mostly out to sea.
The Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast might get "more than we will get -- at least in terms of rain and tidal swell."
We really don't need a hurricane in Savannah -- anytime; but especially now.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tomorrow World 2015?
Another pretentious rock concert (last weekend in Atlanta) ends is rain, slop, miserable conditions and danger to several hundred thousand "fans." Stupid never changes.
From Woodstock onward there has been a steady parade of small-time promoters aiming for the "big bucks" by renting a cow pasture, setting up a temporary stage wired beyond belief, and then falling victim to their own lack of planning. "What if it rains?" often never enters the picture and so the chances of a real tragedy proliferate.
This is yet another example of why we need serious regulations of "promoters" and "entrepreneurs" who don't know squat.
From Woodstock onward there has been a steady parade of small-time promoters aiming for the "big bucks" by renting a cow pasture, setting up a temporary stage wired beyond belief, and then falling victim to their own lack of planning. "What if it rains?" often never enters the picture and so the chances of a real tragedy proliferate.
This is yet another example of why we need serious regulations of "promoters" and "entrepreneurs" who don't know squat.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Deans
I currently have a Dean who, like some teachers, is always on the lookout for new talent. He is easily impressed by a speech, presentation, or poster session at some conference and then brags to his current staff how wonderful it would be if this new "genius" could be on board with us. He, at the same time, overlooks and underplays his current staff, and exists in a kind of "fools paradise."
Teachers who are always looking for the next class to provide "real students" are in the same boat. Both attitudes say something about people like the Dean. To be a Dean is to ignore the present and hope for a future that will not happen, apparently. And somehow be satisfied as well.
Teachers who are always looking for the next class to provide "real students" are in the same boat. Both attitudes say something about people like the Dean. To be a Dean is to ignore the present and hope for a future that will not happen, apparently. And somehow be satisfied as well.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Complete College America
Perhaps the largest "public relations" sham ever launched against the college system in America is the not-for-profit "Complete College America." Armed with statistics gleaned from census reports and various educational foundation reports -- they have played the "state legislatures" of many states for establishment fools.
By redefining educational success as high graduation rates this foundation has convinced the legislators that quicker graduation means better jobs and more jobs! No proof for either of these two claims others than the "common sense" approach used by Republican business concerns for years. The Republican elite doesn't want a well-educated America -- they want an American public that is "just educated enough" to take the many low and middle range jobs that American business has to offer. Corporate giants want fodder: assemblers, electronic overseers, lower-level management, and the lower-than-that level of jobs that proliferate in American factories and even white collar corporate structures. More people working is more tax dollars; more tax dollars benefit government, regardless of the degree of satisfaction achieved by the "new working force."
The highest paying jobs will go, not to graduates of two year schools; but to graduates of four year schools who also have a liberal education and can solve problems and view growth critically. America and Americans have been played for a fool -- by American and World business. Capitalism at work!!
By redefining educational success as high graduation rates this foundation has convinced the legislators that quicker graduation means better jobs and more jobs! No proof for either of these two claims others than the "common sense" approach used by Republican business concerns for years. The Republican elite doesn't want a well-educated America -- they want an American public that is "just educated enough" to take the many low and middle range jobs that American business has to offer. Corporate giants want fodder: assemblers, electronic overseers, lower-level management, and the lower-than-that level of jobs that proliferate in American factories and even white collar corporate structures. More people working is more tax dollars; more tax dollars benefit government, regardless of the degree of satisfaction achieved by the "new working force."
The highest paying jobs will go, not to graduates of two year schools; but to graduates of four year schools who also have a liberal education and can solve problems and view growth critically. America and Americans have been played for a fool -- by American and World business. Capitalism at work!!
The Changing Shape of Everything
Politics just isn't the same. The Catholic Church (and religion in general) just isn't the same. Morality and ethics just aren't the same. And here we sit.
I hope I can weather all this change -- and could so so even if the worst happens, and "the Donald" becomes "the President." I must admit I did not even consider that possibility when the election cycle started -- and now I wonder if even that ultimate awfulness could be feasible.
This is how the world ends -- not with a bang, but a "Trump whine."
I hope I can weather all this change -- and could so so even if the worst happens, and "the Donald" becomes "the President." I must admit I did not even consider that possibility when the election cycle started -- and now I wonder if even that ultimate awfulness could be feasible.
This is how the world ends -- not with a bang, but a "Trump whine."
Thursday, September 24, 2015
New Audience
I have become a new audience member for the two sisters who sing -- Emerson Rhudy and Kate Rhudy. Along time ago in Charlotte I was a friend to their Mom Jane -- and a "partner" to their Grandmother Nancy in the theatre production company known as "MANNA..."
I knew all of the Nixon family but I shared some things in common with Jane -- she was a runner (much better than I was; but I ran as well); she was into massage/therapy (I was a "shiatsu" practitioner); she lived in Charlotte (as did I -- I worked at UNCC just like David Nixon her Dad did).
When Nancy Nixon died (some time later) I had already left Charlotte and was living in Savannah, GA with my wife Sheila, and starting a bed-and-breakfast. I remember the last time I talked with Nancy-- on the phone; several months before she died. She was hopeful but resigned to her fate at that point -- I wanted to be there but for many, many reasons -- mostly emotional -- but I couldn't be. I am glad the "family tree" now includes two more artists, this time in music, but fully representative of the talent of the Nixon/Rhudy tree of life.
I knew all of the Nixon family but I shared some things in common with Jane -- she was a runner (much better than I was; but I ran as well); she was into massage/therapy (I was a "shiatsu" practitioner); she lived in Charlotte (as did I -- I worked at UNCC just like David Nixon her Dad did).
When Nancy Nixon died (some time later) I had already left Charlotte and was living in Savannah, GA with my wife Sheila, and starting a bed-and-breakfast. I remember the last time I talked with Nancy-- on the phone; several months before she died. She was hopeful but resigned to her fate at that point -- I wanted to be there but for many, many reasons -- mostly emotional -- but I couldn't be. I am glad the "family tree" now includes two more artists, this time in music, but fully representative of the talent of the Nixon/Rhudy tree of life.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Long Days at Work End HARD
Americans work way too much. Too many hours. Too few real vacations. Too little respite from the constant and unending stress! I hate it; and yet I have become used to it all.
As have most working Americans. We have been brainwashed by fear and worry that somehow we will lose our jobs if we arrive at work a half hour late (or leave ten minutes early). It is a vicious and
and cruel cycle of excess with no recourse. No respite. No stoppages.
And the result -- a paranoid and orderly work force, sans creativity, sans individuality, sans growth. And the rich factory owners and upper level administrators get richer -- and the rest of us; well, the rest of us just get deader.
As have most working Americans. We have been brainwashed by fear and worry that somehow we will lose our jobs if we arrive at work a half hour late (or leave ten minutes early). It is a vicious and
and cruel cycle of excess with no recourse. No respite. No stoppages.
And the result -- a paranoid and orderly work force, sans creativity, sans individuality, sans growth. And the rich factory owners and upper level administrators get richer -- and the rest of us; well, the rest of us just get deader.
Being Aware
Are Americans aware enough? Do they know the Prime Minister of China is "in town" and eager to help American businesses with "cyber security" (the height of ironies)? Or, as usual, does the American public just "goes along to get along" without understanding, knowing, or even perceiving on some vague level what is going on with the world?
The Pope is in Washington -- on the way to NYC to address the United Nations. Is that a big deal to most Americans? Or are they do busy tweeting and "social-media'ing" to really pay attention? I fear for all of us because of our disengagement and our stupid and stunningly callous ignorance.
If we don't know it; we think it probably isn't happening; or at the very least it can't affect me! Heads in the sand -- you bet!
The Pope is in Washington -- on the way to NYC to address the United Nations. Is that a big deal to most Americans? Or are they do busy tweeting and "social-media'ing" to really pay attention? I fear for all of us because of our disengagement and our stupid and stunningly callous ignorance.
If we don't know it; we think it probably isn't happening; or at the very least it can't affect me! Heads in the sand -- you bet!
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Pope and the Prime Minister
Both the Vatican and China will be well-represented in Washington D.C. as Pope Francis and Prime Minister Xi Jinping each visit the US this week.
It means that traffic will be horrible -- American politics will be shoved into the background just a bit; and Americans in general will scratch their heads (and their asses) and wonder what the heck all the fuss is about. These are important events -- not the final events of the world; but momentous ones.
Few Americans recognize that the world is much wider than their street, much less their town, or their State, or their "time," or their moment. The world is as wide as we can take in. It is beyond our easy understanding. The world is history, mankind, life, just floating by. Catch it if you can!
It means that traffic will be horrible -- American politics will be shoved into the background just a bit; and Americans in general will scratch their heads (and their asses) and wonder what the heck all the fuss is about. These are important events -- not the final events of the world; but momentous ones.
Few Americans recognize that the world is much wider than their street, much less their town, or their State, or their "time," or their moment. The world is as wide as we can take in. It is beyond our easy understanding. The world is history, mankind, life, just floating by. Catch it if you can!
A Not-So-Elegant Day
Things just seem "off" today: the weather (cool but very humid, temp's dropping), the students (very few on campus -- where did they all go?), the traffic (is there a hurricane coming or something?), and just about everything else as well.
Don't know why such days happen. Sunspots perhaps? A fluctuation in the earth's magnetic field? Just plain "out-of-sortness" visited upon us by an unknown force? Too little sleep? All of the above?
Don't know why such days happen. Sunspots perhaps? A fluctuation in the earth's magnetic field? Just plain "out-of-sortness" visited upon us by an unknown force? Too little sleep? All of the above?
Monday, September 21, 2015
No Victories
I am not facing the inevitable and continuing problem of "dropping students" who have bitten off more than they can chew. It is not possible to take three classes, work full time, and take care of three children (two of who are still in diapers) -- and do all simultaneously. There really is nothing for a professor to do but "drop" that student.
You can't "shave assignments" or stop coming to class and expect to pass the course, no matter what the policy of the school. It just can't work that way.
You can't "shave assignments" or stop coming to class and expect to pass the course, no matter what the policy of the school. It just can't work that way.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Friday Blues
It's raining -- it's cool (like 65 degrees) -- and I have to be at school for a Professional Development (not so professional not so developmental) session that will last (interminably) all morning.
I think the world is just gone a little more amuck than usual. Bureaucracies think that they are efficient machines of administration; individuals truly think that they are "listening to God" when they honor their own selfish desires; and the world accepts all of this hypocrisy because it seems there is no viable alternative.
I think the world is just gone a little more amuck than usual. Bureaucracies think that they are efficient machines of administration; individuals truly think that they are "listening to God" when they honor their own selfish desires; and the world accepts all of this hypocrisy because it seems there is no viable alternative.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Human Sexuality a NO-NO?
One of my elder students yesterday gave an Informative Speech about "human relationships" and how to insure that they are "strong and forever." He is a former soldier, now between construction jobs, who has gone back to school. His speech has the "leanings" of a secular Baptist preacher with lots of "politically correct" language about love, respect, lack of jealousy, etc.
When he had concluded his speech I asked the group if there were any elements of human male-female relationships (his subject matter) that had been left out. "No, no -- he pretty much said everything, I guess!" was their answer. When I brought up the fact that he had not mentioned "sex" at all people looked at me with this shocked expression on their faces. "Sex" -- sex in human relationships? It was like they were incapable of really understanding the driving emotions, desires, and foci of our lives.
I know I live in the South -- but -- "come on." If adults can't talk about "sex" when they talk about keeping relationships together -- what has the world come to? Is "political correctness" more important than "truth?"
When he had concluded his speech I asked the group if there were any elements of human male-female relationships (his subject matter) that had been left out. "No, no -- he pretty much said everything, I guess!" was their answer. When I brought up the fact that he had not mentioned "sex" at all people looked at me with this shocked expression on their faces. "Sex" -- sex in human relationships? It was like they were incapable of really understanding the driving emotions, desires, and foci of our lives.
I know I live in the South -- but -- "come on." If adults can't talk about "sex" when they talk about keeping relationships together -- what has the world come to? Is "political correctness" more important than "truth?"
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Migrant Crisis Earthshaking; Or It Should Be
Millions of people have been on the move: from Syria, and Iraq, and Iran, and Afghanistan, and Libya, and Egypt, sundry countries in Central and Northern Africa, and everyplace where there is war -- and starvation -- and death -- and no hope.
Already Europe quakes with the changes these "migrants" (refugees, illegal aliens, immigrants, etc.) will bring. Old laws of "free access" (EU borderless union) will fade -- as a new Nationalism will force populations to preserve their own. And compassion will take a back seat -- to fear; once again.
And Lincoln's statue and the Statue of Liberty will both weep. "Give us no more -- no matter how they yearn to be free. Give us no more!" Can tolerance and sharing survive the onslaught of fear and self-protection? Can we remain human -- when humanity, like a carelessly left-behind Teddy Bear, gets left next to a Hungarian highway? Can the world survive its own tremendous cruelties?
Already Europe quakes with the changes these "migrants" (refugees, illegal aliens, immigrants, etc.) will bring. Old laws of "free access" (EU borderless union) will fade -- as a new Nationalism will force populations to preserve their own. And compassion will take a back seat -- to fear; once again.
And Lincoln's statue and the Statue of Liberty will both weep. "Give us no more -- no matter how they yearn to be free. Give us no more!" Can tolerance and sharing survive the onslaught of fear and self-protection? Can we remain human -- when humanity, like a carelessly left-behind Teddy Bear, gets left next to a Hungarian highway? Can the world survive its own tremendous cruelties?
In the Early Morning Rain...
The title to this blog-post comes from "60's folk song" of sorts. I remember the lyric particle because I once sang it in a club in Rome -- oh so many years ago. The second line is "with a dollar in my hand; and an achin' in my heart." That's all I care to remember though I do actually know the chord progressions on a guitar -- should I ever need to use them again.
It's raining here in Savannah: all day, all dark!!! Like a tropical paradise without the "paradise" part.
My RSS feed from the Hurricane Center says the "season" may be nearly over for 2015 --- El Nino has apparently killed the Atlantic Hurricane season. Always good news for us homeowners!
I am listening to "informative speeches" today (and tonight during the Republican "debate(s)"). And that's my day -- as I see it at this early hour.
It's raining here in Savannah: all day, all dark!!! Like a tropical paradise without the "paradise" part.
My RSS feed from the Hurricane Center says the "season" may be nearly over for 2015 --- El Nino has apparently killed the Atlantic Hurricane season. Always good news for us homeowners!
I am listening to "informative speeches" today (and tonight during the Republican "debate(s)"). And that's my day -- as I see it at this early hour.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
In the Mind of God
Human beings have "free will" -- if we are to believe what Thomas Aquinas told us, and Plato, and others. We can decide of our own "bat" how to act, what to do, what is right or wrong, what is moral.
And the world can only laugh -- or cry. Because we are "free." "Condemned to be free" if you believe what the existentialists tell us. Because there are "right pathways" but in one sense every choice is "wrong" and none of them leads to perfection. We are "condemned to be free" because we will make "wrong decisions." But if there is no "pure objective arbiter" of right or wrong -- we are, in another sense, always "right." So, we are always right -- and always wrong. And totally free -- and yet chained to mistakes. And so it goes.
And the world can only laugh -- or cry. Because we are "free." "Condemned to be free" if you believe what the existentialists tell us. Because there are "right pathways" but in one sense every choice is "wrong" and none of them leads to perfection. We are "condemned to be free" because we will make "wrong decisions." But if there is no "pure objective arbiter" of right or wrong -- we are, in another sense, always "right." So, we are always right -- and always wrong. And totally free -- and yet chained to mistakes. And so it goes.
Monday, September 14, 2015
Levels of Confidence
Students are sooooo strange. Some are confident (without any knowledge); and others are knowledgeable (without any confidence).
I have dealt with both types -- and in extreme situations. It's easier to build up someone's confidence than it is to build up their knowledge. With adding knowledge -- inspiration and desire becomes the big possibility. Students have to want to know -- and enjoy knowing -- to do the work necessary to actually know.
I have dealt with both types -- and in extreme situations. It's easier to build up someone's confidence than it is to build up their knowledge. With adding knowledge -- inspiration and desire becomes the big possibility. Students have to want to know -- and enjoy knowing -- to do the work necessary to actually know.
So Tired of American Football
Talk about a short love affair! I am now officially "tired of American Football": concussions, DraftKings, Fantasy Football, hyper-advertizing, pre-game nonsense shows put on before other pre-game nonsense shows, sports analytics, experts, pseudo-experts, former players posing as experts,
injuries, premature deaths, the sport actually "dying" in from of us, too many games, too many games on too many nights, "aging" (at 39, at 33, at whatever age) quarterbacks, "aging" running backs, too-clever coaches, ridiculous network money chasing a sport cloned by Madison Avenue ---- !!!
I'm ready for a hiatus from football! It will be the same after the first week of "over-hyped" college basketball in November! Yikes.
injuries, premature deaths, the sport actually "dying" in from of us, too many games, too many games on too many nights, "aging" (at 39, at 33, at whatever age) quarterbacks, "aging" running backs, too-clever coaches, ridiculous network money chasing a sport cloned by Madison Avenue ---- !!!
I'm ready for a hiatus from football! It will be the same after the first week of "over-hyped" college basketball in November! Yikes.
Friday, September 11, 2015
9/11 Rue the Day, Jihadists!
Would we, as Americans, fight to the death to preserve our freedoms -- our uniqueness -- our opportunities -- our laws -- our culture -- our diversity -- our tolerance -- our oddball celebrities -- our damnable refusal to change -- our productivity -- our creativity -- our compassion -- our future?
I hope to hell we would.
I hope to hell we would.
Silly Women; Silly Girls
The twitter generation basks in its own self-delusion. They talk about their innermost feelings and desires (on on public medium), and think that "only their friends on twitter" are listening.
Anyone can "listen"; anyone can overhear; anyone can gauge the depth and/or reality of one's remarks.
And in the future -- employers will see those strange conversational threads about "f___boys" and gratuitous "d__k" and wonder where all the civility and normalcy of the world went. It's one thing to complain about things, or long for things, or desire things -- it's another matter entirely when on coarsens the conversation by blurting out all the "street" and "bar" language one knows. Life is not, I repeat, not, high school.
Anyone can "listen"; anyone can overhear; anyone can gauge the depth and/or reality of one's remarks.
And in the future -- employers will see those strange conversational threads about "f___boys" and gratuitous "d__k" and wonder where all the civility and normalcy of the world went. It's one thing to complain about things, or long for things, or desire things -- it's another matter entirely when on coarsens the conversation by blurting out all the "street" and "bar" language one knows. Life is not, I repeat, not, high school.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
NFL Football 2015 Begins Today
Well, today being Thursday marks the opening of the 2015 NFL Season with New England playing Pittsburgh. It's called the "Sunday Night Game" because it's on NBC (which produces Sunday Night Football), a late imitator of the popular "Monday Night Football" which broke free from the typical Sunday afternoon schedule to give us "Monday Night Football" on Mondays (and Thursdays, of course) --- got all that.
Only in American would games be called not on their actual play dates but on their intended corporate communication mogul dates! Nonetheless I will be watching, until I get sleepy and fall asleep (my typical response to "late games" that often go on past midnight). It is the season after all.
Only in American would games be called not on their actual play dates but on their intended corporate communication mogul dates! Nonetheless I will be watching, until I get sleepy and fall asleep (my typical response to "late games" that often go on past midnight). It is the season after all.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Internet Future?
It's very hard for my students to understand the concept that: "the Internet is the future of all professions." But that fact is not only true; it is etched in stone. All business and money transfers, all buying and selling, all retraining and refitting for employment, all employment applications, all loan and real estate applications, all growth opportunities within corporations --- all of the above will be facilitated, enabled, and actually done "online" (or on whatever will pass for online 10 years from now).
Business, professions, education and life are all dynamic art forms. Get used to change people! It is happening all around you.
Business, professions, education and life are all dynamic art forms. Get used to change people! It is happening all around you.
Rowan County, Kentucky
People actually think that the "devil" is out there in the guise of the US government, and that is is trying to wrest their sacred Bible from their hands. Imagining all kinds of Federal interference, the simple people are trying to create enemies: the government (first they wanted to get my "still"; now my Bible); the Gays (doing all that "sick stuff" with each other, and then my kids); other Christians/Jews/all Religions (don't understand how we simple Christians have been persecuted--forget the holocaust).
And that's the Republican narrative -- from people like Huckabee and Santorum (Republican opportunists to the max) and others. It is a horrible and deceitful narrative -- lies told to perpetuate fear, and then revolution. Cynically the Republicans persist in these lies (and many others, mostly about current president Obama) to create a backstory of invective and prejudice. The world has, in many ways, gone a bit off the rails.
And that's the Republican narrative -- from people like Huckabee and Santorum (Republican opportunists to the max) and others. It is a horrible and deceitful narrative -- lies told to perpetuate fear, and then revolution. Cynically the Republicans persist in these lies (and many others, mostly about current president Obama) to create a backstory of invective and prejudice. The world has, in many ways, gone a bit off the rails.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Religious Intolerance
If a Jihadist is trying to kill me -- I will not be tolerant of his/her religion! If some loony right-wing Christian wants me to "kneel and pray with them" because the "end of the world is nigh" -- I will not be tolerant of his/her religion!
I consider myself to be spiritual -- to understand and believe in a power that is greater than me -- to be tolerant of others. I see those elements most often in the saying and teachings of the Dalai Lama, above all other churches, religions, and religious leaders. My Buddhism is thus of the practical kind -- the kind that relates one human being to another.
I am comfortable with being called a Christian because like all Buddhists, I believe that Jesus was a great man, and perhaps more -- as I am free to believe. I do not know for sure that Jesus is God! Why not? I do not trust the witnesses -- the books of the Bible, so errant/so selective/so misogynistic! I do not trust the "priests" and "reverends" who interpret the Bible, so self-serving/so selfish/so arrogant. I label myself a "ko-shinto buddhist" -- a buddhist not just intent on the "journey of life" but on all the influences and powers along the way.
I consider myself to be spiritual -- to understand and believe in a power that is greater than me -- to be tolerant of others. I see those elements most often in the saying and teachings of the Dalai Lama, above all other churches, religions, and religious leaders. My Buddhism is thus of the practical kind -- the kind that relates one human being to another.
I am comfortable with being called a Christian because like all Buddhists, I believe that Jesus was a great man, and perhaps more -- as I am free to believe. I do not know for sure that Jesus is God! Why not? I do not trust the witnesses -- the books of the Bible, so errant/so selective/so misogynistic! I do not trust the "priests" and "reverends" who interpret the Bible, so self-serving/so selfish/so arrogant. I label myself a "ko-shinto buddhist" -- a buddhist not just intent on the "journey of life" but on all the influences and powers along the way.
Friday, September 4, 2015
Worry Over a Faculty Person in Trouble
You would think that a professor has the right to use his/her own chosen texts to teach a college class in any discipline that professor is expert in. In 1990 you would be right. Not in 2015!
Now however the "luddites" are back in power! These "luddites" not only oppose technology, they oppose the very idea of any kind of innovation. Their ears ring when they hear language used in ways they can't decipher; they hate anything that they cannot immediately understand; they refuse to accept the idea that their canon is not total, complete, and unassailable.
When that "luddite" has the power to "hire and fire" at an educational institution -- then that "person" becomes a threat to anything that is new or smart.
We have a professor who uses "Punk Rock" to help interpret basic psychology to his students. He even has his own textbook which is used in our school as a supplemental text. And we also have an Administrator who is an arch-conservative ---- hence, the problem.
Now however the "luddites" are back in power! These "luddites" not only oppose technology, they oppose the very idea of any kind of innovation. Their ears ring when they hear language used in ways they can't decipher; they hate anything that they cannot immediately understand; they refuse to accept the idea that their canon is not total, complete, and unassailable.
When that "luddite" has the power to "hire and fire" at an educational institution -- then that "person" becomes a threat to anything that is new or smart.
We have a professor who uses "Punk Rock" to help interpret basic psychology to his students. He even has his own textbook which is used in our school as a supplemental text. And we also have an Administrator who is an arch-conservative ---- hence, the problem.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
End Times
Here in the US we have lots of simple Bible literalists who insist that -- as they read the Scriptures -- we are approaching "End Times" -- the end of the world as predicted in Revelations. Not only is this a presumptuous "reading" of the Bible; it is also a thinly-veiled approach to justifying their own egotistical sense of importance in matters of Faith.
Faith, in or out of any religions, is a complex and every-varying composite of world events, environment, and personal focus. To base "government" or "personal life" decisions on one's perception of the coming "end times" really show a person who is not coherent in their view of the universe, God, and human endeavours.
We have politicians (Michelle Bachman for instance) who thinks our diplomatic relations with the State of Israel should be based on her own "clear" (read "crazed") perceptions of the near onset of the "end of the world." This is the raving of a self-proclaimed prophet; a soothsayer of self; a human "selfie" seeking justification and support from all the world ("wishing can make it come true"). Often our own ignorant arrogance as human beings is stupefying.
Faith, in or out of any religions, is a complex and every-varying composite of world events, environment, and personal focus. To base "government" or "personal life" decisions on one's perception of the coming "end times" really show a person who is not coherent in their view of the universe, God, and human endeavours.
We have politicians (Michelle Bachman for instance) who thinks our diplomatic relations with the State of Israel should be based on her own "clear" (read "crazed") perceptions of the near onset of the "end of the world." This is the raving of a self-proclaimed prophet; a soothsayer of self; a human "selfie" seeking justification and support from all the world ("wishing can make it come true"). Often our own ignorant arrogance as human beings is stupefying.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Incredible and Disgusting Horror
There is a viral photograph posted today showing what looks like an Italian policeman on the shore of the Mediterranean picking up the "body" of a tiny dead boy, who had no doubt died in one of the overcrowded boat sinkings of "migrants" fleeing death in Libya, Syria and all points South of Italy.
It is both a touching and a disgusting moment as we viewers realize that this policeman knows that he is picking up a child caught in the ignorant crossfire between nations, between religions, between ways of life.
Is life now so cheap that we don't care at all that so many are losing theirs? Are we as immune to death and suffering as we once were to simple unfairness? The world has become a refugee kind of place -- herds of people on the move, seeking anying ---- anything that might be better for them. And not yet finding that "anything."
It is both a touching and a disgusting moment as we viewers realize that this policeman knows that he is picking up a child caught in the ignorant crossfire between nations, between religions, between ways of life.
Is life now so cheap that we don't care at all that so many are losing theirs? Are we as immune to death and suffering as we once were to simple unfairness? The world has become a refugee kind of place -- herds of people on the move, seeking anying ---- anything that might be better for them. And not yet finding that "anything."
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Molehill
I create monsters -- out of molehills. Large problems out of small words. Huge overhanging cataclysmic episodes out of tiny moments.
I want to fight what the world gives me -- most always losing in the process. I want to see things in clear bright tones -- avoiding the greys that predominate. I want to consider the "right" or the "wrong" of things -- and usually don't get to that point.
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