Worse than a "reality television show" -- this is "actual" reality; and it ain't pretty. It depicts members of the Trump campaign being indicted for lining their pockets with Russian/Ukrainian money from the oligarchs, trying to facilitate contact with Russian "professors" who had "dirt on Hillary Clinton,"
and then grooming their own homes, businesses, and lives with unreported and untaxed monies. They will undoubtedly go to prison -- or they will "flip" on bigger fish, like the much-revered President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.
Can we say "you're fired" yet to Trump? No, not quite yet. But we are getting there: perhaps an impeachment trial or an Article 25 situation awaits America in the future -- the not-too-distant future.
And we will all survive this process. Trump may lose the Presidency; the gutless sycophantic Republican majority will lose whatever character they have left, and the people of America will further lose their trust in their country. For shame; shame for all; shameless stupidity and arrogant greed is the game.
Resist, resist, resist!!
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Monday, October 30, 2017
Indict, Indict, Indict ...
Today is the first day of the end of the Trump "criminalooza!" Today is the day Mueller will begin the process of unraveling the machinations of Russian interference in our elections -- with collusion from the Trump campaign (and maybe the DNC as well). Whoever is caught -- I hope they go to prison for a long time.
Our elections should be as "pure" as we can make them -- without interference of foreign powers certainly, but also without the fear of "billionaire buddies" stacking the deck(s). This should not be happening in America -- and we cannot make such illegal and course behavior essential to American political discourse. We need to stop it --- now.
Resist. Resist. Resist, again.
Our elections should be as "pure" as we can make them -- without interference of foreign powers certainly, but also without the fear of "billionaire buddies" stacking the deck(s). This should not be happening in America -- and we cannot make such illegal and course behavior essential to American political discourse. We need to stop it --- now.
Resist. Resist. Resist, again.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
sengate CREATE
Am announcing the birth of an idea -- on this day Oct 28, 2017 "sengate CREATE" is born. Watch for more news in the future.
Friday, October 27, 2017
Trump, the Ivy League Graduate
Trump thinks himself smart because he went to an Ivy League School (Penn). Let's publish his grades and see how smart he really was.
We know Obama was an A student at Harvard (his professors blabbed). We know "W" was a C student at Yale -- but he "was" a cheerleader! We know that Trump's Dad gave a significant amount of money to Penn -- and Donald was then accepted. I wonder what kind of a student he was.
Don't you? Did he bully his professors into giving him good grades? Did he use "ad hominem" attacks to belittle his school, classmates, professors? Was he the kind of ridiculous overblown bumpkin he now appears to be? Probably. Can't wait to read the books once Trump leaves office -- whenever that happens!
Resist!
We know Obama was an A student at Harvard (his professors blabbed). We know "W" was a C student at Yale -- but he "was" a cheerleader! We know that Trump's Dad gave a significant amount of money to Penn -- and Donald was then accepted. I wonder what kind of a student he was.
Don't you? Did he bully his professors into giving him good grades? Did he use "ad hominem" attacks to belittle his school, classmates, professors? Was he the kind of ridiculous overblown bumpkin he now appears to be? Probably. Can't wait to read the books once Trump leaves office -- whenever that happens!
Resist!
#Me Too?
I believe that every grown woman in America could probably use the above hashtag, and tell a number of stories about how/where/when she was grabbed, groped, touched, kissed (without desiring it), harassed, used, abused, and on and one. But would all the stories and memories be true? When a person has an incident like all of these -- are all of them accurate and real memories.
As a man I now realize that as a very young man I may have gone "too far" in pursuing a girl, held some people too close (who could not tell me they didn't want it), or just plain misunderstood certain signals and then had to be "rebuffed" to understand what was happening. I can honestly say now, however, that to my knowledge (memory, recollection, and conscience being what they are) I do not believe I have ever given unwarranted attention to a female (or a male for that matter). I have never gone too far. I have never not stopped when it became apparent that "NO" was the operative concept.
Are there women in my life who would disagree with this -- I don't think so, but maybe. I always had ironclad behavioral rules about students -- "don't ever touch, pursue, or trap in any way a woman while she is your student." I believe that is an "ethos" error -- a flaw in character, even though I have seen it happen many times. I also have rules about relationships -- "don't push any relationship if there is 'push-back'! Even now when I try to get a "relationship going" with someone -- if they show signs of "no thank you" -- no matter how small; I retreat and go in another direction.
So for all the women out there -- I apologize for all of us men who have "gone too far" or in some way hurt you. Both men and women need to establish the rules of their own encounters -- if it is a "tinder" date, so be it. If it is a "church supper" date -- so be it. If it is a chance encounter date -- play it by ear, but don't "push" if there is "push-back."
And continue to RESIST!
As a man I now realize that as a very young man I may have gone "too far" in pursuing a girl, held some people too close (who could not tell me they didn't want it), or just plain misunderstood certain signals and then had to be "rebuffed" to understand what was happening. I can honestly say now, however, that to my knowledge (memory, recollection, and conscience being what they are) I do not believe I have ever given unwarranted attention to a female (or a male for that matter). I have never gone too far. I have never not stopped when it became apparent that "NO" was the operative concept.
Are there women in my life who would disagree with this -- I don't think so, but maybe. I always had ironclad behavioral rules about students -- "don't ever touch, pursue, or trap in any way a woman while she is your student." I believe that is an "ethos" error -- a flaw in character, even though I have seen it happen many times. I also have rules about relationships -- "don't push any relationship if there is 'push-back'! Even now when I try to get a "relationship going" with someone -- if they show signs of "no thank you" -- no matter how small; I retreat and go in another direction.
So for all the women out there -- I apologize for all of us men who have "gone too far" or in some way hurt you. Both men and women need to establish the rules of their own encounters -- if it is a "tinder" date, so be it. If it is a "church supper" date -- so be it. If it is a chance encounter date -- play it by ear, but don't "push" if there is "push-back."
And continue to RESIST!
Thursday, October 26, 2017
After the Fall
With apologies to Arthur Miller -- my "Fall" is a time frame that will point me towards the future. After my fall comes the winter of new discoveries and unusual events: play festivals, travel, writing, and general life maintenance.
And there is a lot of each of the three to accomplish. I need to reacquaint myself to friends, relatives, and the changing lives of those around me. I need to "notice" more, as my student Christian might say. I want to become more aware of lots of different things -- little things, big things, complex things. Proving I am not afraid to "learn" is going to be an important part of my future.
And then there is the challenge of doing, and the challenge of writing, and the challenge of challenging myself to do more, write more, be more! That 's what I will be doing, that plus:
Resisting!!!!!!
And there is a lot of each of the three to accomplish. I need to reacquaint myself to friends, relatives, and the changing lives of those around me. I need to "notice" more, as my student Christian might say. I want to become more aware of lots of different things -- little things, big things, complex things. Proving I am not afraid to "learn" is going to be an important part of my future.
And then there is the challenge of doing, and the challenge of writing, and the challenge of challenging myself to do more, write more, be more! That 's what I will be doing, that plus:
Resisting!!!!!!
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Resignation Day
Today, as I announce my leaving STC for new opportunities -- I reflect on all the wonderful students I have worked with here. They are/were/will be truly great at whatever they ultimately decide to do.
They were brilliant learners, and pretty good teachers as well. I learned much from them -- much that I will use when I sit down to write: blogs, stories, a novella or two, monographs, poems, and even plays. Those who are astute will recognize themselves in my writing -- and I hope I give them all "fair" character portraits, so that recognition is instantaneous and joyous.
This has been a momentous year for me and my family -- my huge and burdensome house finally sold, my younger sister is steadfastly recovering from her near-fatal second brush with cellulitis, my own situation was helped by my summer "leave of absence" from teaching, and now I am finally moving on to other pastures (maybe greener, maybe not). But "movement is life" as the 4 D Einstein might say; "change" is inevitable and should be welcomed by all with a calm and gracious mentality;
They were brilliant learners, and pretty good teachers as well. I learned much from them -- much that I will use when I sit down to write: blogs, stories, a novella or two, monographs, poems, and even plays. Those who are astute will recognize themselves in my writing -- and I hope I give them all "fair" character portraits, so that recognition is instantaneous and joyous.
This has been a momentous year for me and my family -- my huge and burdensome house finally sold, my younger sister is steadfastly recovering from her near-fatal second brush with cellulitis, my own situation was helped by my summer "leave of absence" from teaching, and now I am finally moving on to other pastures (maybe greener, maybe not). But "movement is life" as the 4 D Einstein might say; "change" is inevitable and should be welcomed by all with a calm and gracious mentality;
Flakes, Corker, McCain... et al
Something still needs to be done -- in spite of a strong and progressive/republican speech by Jeff Flakes condemning Trump's ridiculous presidency, no strong actions are being taken even by the Republicans who hate Trump. They are therefore, all complicit, in whatever damages are done to the country and to our people.
John McCain is the only one of the three so far who has stood up to Trump with actual votes -- with resistance to Trump's tyrannical and stupid isolationism and moral torpor. Bob Corker is still playing twitter games with Trump -- and press conference jibes on a near-daily basis. Talk is cheap --- do something! Do something to save the Republican Party! Do something to save American integrity!
Do something beyond just talking! Vote -- withhold your vote -- campaign against the almighty Trump ---- but for "gosh darn sake" DO SOMETHING!
For the rest of us -- continue to resist! Now more than ever!
John McCain is the only one of the three so far who has stood up to Trump with actual votes -- with resistance to Trump's tyrannical and stupid isolationism and moral torpor. Bob Corker is still playing twitter games with Trump -- and press conference jibes on a near-daily basis. Talk is cheap --- do something! Do something to save the Republican Party! Do something to save American integrity!
Do something beyond just talking! Vote -- withhold your vote -- campaign against the almighty Trump ---- but for "gosh darn sake" DO SOMETHING!
For the rest of us -- continue to resist! Now more than ever!
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Three Days Off the Grid
My school -- Savannah Technical College, has been without internet service since last Saturday. That's three days without internet, intranet, and contact with all archived notes, lesson plans, Powerpoint presentations, what have you. It was a ridiculous example of what America would be like without internet access -- back to the 1950's.
Yikes.
Continue to resist: Trump!
Yikes.
Continue to resist: Trump!
Friday, October 20, 2017
Trump is Now the Tin Man
In "The Wizard of Oz" it is the Tin Man who needs a heart -- a source of compassion, love, and empathy. Trump has proven again one of his many human deficiencies -- he lacks a heart, too.
In his phone call(s) to the families of fallen soldiers killed by ambush in Niger, Trump once again showed how little "humanity" he really has. Stating that a fallen hero "knew what he was in for" does not ease the pain of death of a loved one, even if you also blandly state that fact ("it probably doesn't make it any easier"). My God, your brain screams, have you no "soul" man?
Then Trump further denigrates the whole nature of his calls by pointing out (incorrectly) that other Presidents didn't call families -- but "HE" (Trump) calls AND sends letters (drafted by someone else) to the Gold Star Families. How arrogant; how self-seeking; how stupid -- can one man be!
This is why Americans and everyone in the world must continue to: resist!!!
In his phone call(s) to the families of fallen soldiers killed by ambush in Niger, Trump once again showed how little "humanity" he really has. Stating that a fallen hero "knew what he was in for" does not ease the pain of death of a loved one, even if you also blandly state that fact ("it probably doesn't make it any easier"). My God, your brain screams, have you no "soul" man?
Then Trump further denigrates the whole nature of his calls by pointing out (incorrectly) that other Presidents didn't call families -- but "HE" (Trump) calls AND sends letters (drafted by someone else) to the Gold Star Families. How arrogant; how self-seeking; how stupid -- can one man be!
This is why Americans and everyone in the world must continue to: resist!!!
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Capitalist Outlier
Teaching Trump in the classroom is like trying to describe "chaos theory" to an English Professor. I have been struggling for months trying to explain the radical, inhumane, undisciplined, and sometimes just moronic words and actions of our President, Donald J. Trump. Now I believe I have the key.
Trump came to politics from the business world -- but even there he is an "outlier." What is an outlier? Someone who says and does shocking moves to scare and intimidate competitors and foes into thinking that such instability is normal, unpredictable, and likely to result in disaster at any moment.
As a "capitalist" Trump was not very good -- losing and winning vast sums of money on the basis of his own outrageous and often stupid gambles. The Taj Mahal project(s) in Atlantic City are a good example. Trump steps in at the last moment to "save a struggling" project -- in this case the proposed largest active gambling casino in the world. He takes over, adds to the project (with "signature branding Trump hotel(s)"), always using other peoples' capital -- and then fades out quickly when he discovers that once again, he has miscalculated. Lying and miscalculation (especially with other peoples' money) leads unfortunately to the protection of the bankruptcy laws -- and losses all around.
So as a businessman -- as a real estate developer -- that was the Trump motif. Now transfer that process to the world stage: relationships with countries, with industries larger than most countries, with leaders whose personalities are often as warped as Trump's -- and you find many chances for error -- and "bankruptcy" laws cannot protect anyone once the bombs are falling, once the stupid and harsh words have been said.
So Trump is a "loser" more often than not as a developer -- and equally a loser in human relationships (his family; comforting the families of fallen soldiers; his ridiculous hyper-patriotism via his worship of the flag/anthem/etc;) -- and we are stuck with him.
All we can reasonably do -- is "resist."
Trump came to politics from the business world -- but even there he is an "outlier." What is an outlier? Someone who says and does shocking moves to scare and intimidate competitors and foes into thinking that such instability is normal, unpredictable, and likely to result in disaster at any moment.
As a "capitalist" Trump was not very good -- losing and winning vast sums of money on the basis of his own outrageous and often stupid gambles. The Taj Mahal project(s) in Atlantic City are a good example. Trump steps in at the last moment to "save a struggling" project -- in this case the proposed largest active gambling casino in the world. He takes over, adds to the project (with "signature branding Trump hotel(s)"), always using other peoples' capital -- and then fades out quickly when he discovers that once again, he has miscalculated. Lying and miscalculation (especially with other peoples' money) leads unfortunately to the protection of the bankruptcy laws -- and losses all around.
So as a businessman -- as a real estate developer -- that was the Trump motif. Now transfer that process to the world stage: relationships with countries, with industries larger than most countries, with leaders whose personalities are often as warped as Trump's -- and you find many chances for error -- and "bankruptcy" laws cannot protect anyone once the bombs are falling, once the stupid and harsh words have been said.
So Trump is a "loser" more often than not as a developer -- and equally a loser in human relationships (his family; comforting the families of fallen soldiers; his ridiculous hyper-patriotism via his worship of the flag/anthem/etc;) -- and we are stuck with him.
All we can reasonably do -- is "resist."
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Pro Forma
The title is a lovely Latin phrase -- which really indicates a lot of what goes on in college administrators' minds. We survive an assessment (say by SACS) and we instantly formulate a plan (usually involving everyone in the school who is willing) to answer, minimally; and improve, minimally, the state of the educational process at the school. Such is the case with the QEP at Savannah Technical College.
Reading the document I am stunned by the "low aims" of the instrument -- and the tremendous amount of energy that will be expended to complete it. It is yet another program to prove "we are worthy: referring of course to Achieving the Dream, among others. The reason why technical colleges like ours languish in the ditches of advanced education -- is that nothing on a higher level is ever tried. A four-year campus that is purposeful and progressive, say a Georgia Tech, will describe a problem, formulate a plan (not for solving the problem simply), but getting to a larger solution that will be a platform for even greater growth in the future.
Why can't Savannah Tech be more like Georgia Tech? Weak minds -- NO; many faculty and some administrators are capable of big ideas. Too little money -- too often an excuse for small scale institutions like ours, and never a complete "raison d'etre". Then why? No will to be the best? Perhaps.
Only the will NOT to stand out? Probably. I have great difficulty trying to fathom the quest for mediocrity.
Resist; everyone; continue to resist!
Reading the document I am stunned by the "low aims" of the instrument -- and the tremendous amount of energy that will be expended to complete it. It is yet another program to prove "we are worthy: referring of course to Achieving the Dream, among others. The reason why technical colleges like ours languish in the ditches of advanced education -- is that nothing on a higher level is ever tried. A four-year campus that is purposeful and progressive, say a Georgia Tech, will describe a problem, formulate a plan (not for solving the problem simply), but getting to a larger solution that will be a platform for even greater growth in the future.
Why can't Savannah Tech be more like Georgia Tech? Weak minds -- NO; many faculty and some administrators are capable of big ideas. Too little money -- too often an excuse for small scale institutions like ours, and never a complete "raison d'etre". Then why? No will to be the best? Perhaps.
Only the will NOT to stand out? Probably. I have great difficulty trying to fathom the quest for mediocrity.
Resist; everyone; continue to resist!
Monday, October 16, 2017
Trump ... a Hero in His own Mind
Trump's list of accomplishments (though nothing has actually been realized) grows and grows. His stature as a leader and President shrinks and shrinks. Why? Because he cannot really delegate -- he does not really watch what his "staff" is doing until they go too far (which is often) and upset too many people (also equally often). What is the biggest offense?
The fact that he unilaterally stopped support of the Obama-era insurance support paybacks, and thereby threatened the health insurance of maybe 50 million Americans, to say nothing of the insurance exchanges and the insurance companies that participate. Yes, once again he has thrown an industry and a solution into chaos, and for no good reason. He says (lying, I might add) that these insurance payments only prop up the insurance companies profits and play no part in helping the insured. Is he crazy? Is he using once again, the "big lie" to bolster his position -- figuring no one will check his outrageous claims. There are so many outrageous fabrications to check in the Trump repertoire that checking them all may take a lifetime, or two. Or perhaps the historians "per" several years from now when this embarrassment of a President is out of office -- one way or another.
Don't fail us Moderate Republicans (the Kasich wing of the party); don't fail us Moderate Democrats (the Castro/Schumer wing of the party). We will continue to wait -- for your eventual success -- and we will --
Resist!!!
The fact that he unilaterally stopped support of the Obama-era insurance support paybacks, and thereby threatened the health insurance of maybe 50 million Americans, to say nothing of the insurance exchanges and the insurance companies that participate. Yes, once again he has thrown an industry and a solution into chaos, and for no good reason. He says (lying, I might add) that these insurance payments only prop up the insurance companies profits and play no part in helping the insured. Is he crazy? Is he using once again, the "big lie" to bolster his position -- figuring no one will check his outrageous claims. There are so many outrageous fabrications to check in the Trump repertoire that checking them all may take a lifetime, or two. Or perhaps the historians "per" several years from now when this embarrassment of a President is out of office -- one way or another.
Don't fail us Moderate Republicans (the Kasich wing of the party); don't fail us Moderate Democrats (the Castro/Schumer wing of the party). We will continue to wait -- for your eventual success -- and we will --
Resist!!!
Because...
Because we are not at war yet with North Korea, because the blame for "tax relief," the ACA "fix," and numerous other policy changes have all been laid off on Congress, because the people of Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, etc. have not all died -- some people think D. Trump is doing a "great job."
How stupid can people be? Stupid enough to elect a charlatan.
Keep on resisting.
How stupid can people be? Stupid enough to elect a charlatan.
Keep on resisting.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Not With a Bang, But an Impeachment
Paraphrasing T.S. Eliot here in the title -- hopefully it will not be a prescient title. Trump has done more to destabilize institutions both in America and the world -- than any other human being in the past 50 years. He is perhaps unstable himself, loose tongued, and mostly ignorant when he tries to speak with authority (or on Twitter) -- and he manages to defy logic, supersede emotion, and reflect the character of a failing human being.
We have already had enough Trump -- and most everyone bemoans the fact that, if he survives politically and otherwise, we have years left to put up with him. Using pressure "bargaining" on other elements of government (rather than trying to work with them) -- puts everyone at war with everyone else --- all for the good of no one except cheering and ignorant supporters of Donald J.
We are left with no government trying to handle real problems in critical times and situations. We are leaderless, heartless, and rudderless. The country moves forward only because it used to have direction -- and that force overcomes static inertia. There are better ways to live than in this kind of turmoil.
Which is why I, and millions of others, must continue to "resist."
We have already had enough Trump -- and most everyone bemoans the fact that, if he survives politically and otherwise, we have years left to put up with him. Using pressure "bargaining" on other elements of government (rather than trying to work with them) -- puts everyone at war with everyone else --- all for the good of no one except cheering and ignorant supporters of Donald J.
We are left with no government trying to handle real problems in critical times and situations. We are leaderless, heartless, and rudderless. The country moves forward only because it used to have direction -- and that force overcomes static inertia. There are better ways to live than in this kind of turmoil.
Which is why I, and millions of others, must continue to "resist."
Thursday, October 12, 2017
The Search for Sanity
Apparently White House aides are increasingly worried about Donald J. Trump, as are all of us. Trump is not happy at having so much criticism thrown at him, so he is lashing out with increasing virulence hoping to "scare his enemies" (primarily the press, his constituents, and the rest of the world) into his "camp of adulation." Trump is so far off the norm as to approach levels of psychopathy not seen in a leader of a major country since Pal Pot or Adolph Hitler.
Those are no mean comparisons: Pal Pot caused the death of millions, as did Adolph Hitler. Understand the history of the countries (Cambodia and Germany) and you will understand the history of contemporary America. We have a President who is not only egomaniacal, but also incredibly dangerous for all of us. It is not enough for us to "disapprove" of him, or "worry about him or us." We must consider the alternatives and document evidence for the application of the 25th Amendment. It is time to start that process.
And continue to resist!!
Those are no mean comparisons: Pal Pot caused the death of millions, as did Adolph Hitler. Understand the history of the countries (Cambodia and Germany) and you will understand the history of contemporary America. We have a President who is not only egomaniacal, but also incredibly dangerous for all of us. It is not enough for us to "disapprove" of him, or "worry about him or us." We must consider the alternatives and document evidence for the application of the 25th Amendment. It is time to start that process.
And continue to resist!!
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Political War Games
The American "system" of government is in turmoil. Due to two rambunctious and out-of-control elements: our President, and the media that cover him -- are the two complicit causes. Of course, in the "age of Trump" it all really starts with Trump.
He is the one who "stirs the pot" (i.e. all athletes who kneel during the National Anthem should be fired; "why can't we use all those 'nukes' we have"?, fake news from the networks is ruining America!) The problem with the media is that they print all this stuff about Trump -- and I'm pretty sure the "news media" have sources (and double sources) for all of it. If, and a mighty big IF; if we could only ignore Trump for maybe a year or so, the world might creep away from the edge of nuclear war and fantasyland solutions back to "common sense" or what we used to call "civilization."
That is why we must continue to resist!
He is the one who "stirs the pot" (i.e. all athletes who kneel during the National Anthem should be fired; "why can't we use all those 'nukes' we have"?, fake news from the networks is ruining America!) The problem with the media is that they print all this stuff about Trump -- and I'm pretty sure the "news media" have sources (and double sources) for all of it. If, and a mighty big IF; if we could only ignore Trump for maybe a year or so, the world might creep away from the edge of nuclear war and fantasyland solutions back to "common sense" or what we used to call "civilization."
That is why we must continue to resist!
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Trump's IQ
So, Donald J. Trump really thinks that "he" is a smart guy? He is certainly single-minded -- honoring his "base base" with every manner of outrageous fulfilled promises made in haste, and in error, during the recent and soon-forgotten presidential campaign. Secretary of State Tillerson called Donald a "moron"; no, actually a "f_____g moron." Probably due to some disagreement between them over some minor policy matter -- like War with North Korea, or Global Warming, or somesuch.
Now we have a schoolyard challenge by Donald -- who is sure that he is smarter than Tillerson -- to an IQ contest. Let's keep it very simple -- remembering always that these guys are out-of-touch billionaire pseudo-conservative Republicans after all.
Resist the above nonsense and all the nonsense Donald shouts!
Now we have a schoolyard challenge by Donald -- who is sure that he is smarter than Tillerson -- to an IQ contest. Let's keep it very simple -- remembering always that these guys are out-of-touch billionaire pseudo-conservative Republicans after all.
Resist the above nonsense and all the nonsense Donald shouts!
Monday, October 9, 2017
The World is Out There...
It is also within my head, and in my dreams, and in my slow experiences. I am in no hurry; I have no "bucket list" because I do realize my time is numbered. I demand nothing of life nowadays except the opportunity to contribute -- to learn -- and maybe to pass some of those experiences "on" to others in some way.
In the past I have been a teacher and a learner. I will continue to do both those things, but in new ways, in new and odd positions. I the near future I plan to be what Aristotle might call an "experiencer" -- a "doer" -- a "taster." I cannot do everything; I new could. But I can do what I do with deep understanding, grace, and detailed observation.
I can be an Aristotle, a Jean-Paul Sartre, a Jacques Maritain! I know these men through their work; and perhaps people will someday know me through mine.
In the past I have been a teacher and a learner. I will continue to do both those things, but in new ways, in new and odd positions. I the near future I plan to be what Aristotle might call an "experiencer" -- a "doer" -- a "taster." I cannot do everything; I new could. But I can do what I do with deep understanding, grace, and detailed observation.
I can be an Aristotle, a Jean-Paul Sartre, a Jacques Maritain! I know these men through their work; and perhaps people will someday know me through mine.
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Hurricane ... Again ... This Time Nate
Hopefully everyone will be safe and on high ground for this one -- which is "sneaking up" the gulf at high speed, in the shadow of three major previous events. Biloxi, Pensacola, New Orleans -- watch out.
High surf, some surge (up bays in particular), some wind -- and general destruction (as always). I will be sending good vibrations out to all of you.
Resist always -- as best you can!
High surf, some surge (up bays in particular), some wind -- and general destruction (as always). I will be sending good vibrations out to all of you.
Resist always -- as best you can!
Friday, October 6, 2017
Women Who Are Lost
I am finding more and more American females who are "lost." What does that mean? It means they are mostly directionless, or they lack any kind of specific goals -- beyond the humdrum and everyday.
These women often don't have careers -- and the jobs they may have do not inspire them to be the best that they can be. Sometimes they settle into bureaucratic sameness and while away their years working the same job, for just about the same pay, forever.
It is so unlike the way most of the men I know think. Men of all ages -- even those who are "stuck" in some way, are geared towards improvement and change. They often don't succeed -- but they are usually game to give it a try.
I don't know when this syndrome starts -- but I see it every day in school --- in women as young as 23 or 24. By the time these women cycle out of their 20's -- they create the feeling in themselves that almost nothing is now possible. What a loss! Women are what we need: in government, in the professions, in all fields from sportscasting to writing; from leadership to entrepreneurial pursuits.
Women need to extend their thinking -- and their hopes -- beyond the mundane. WE all need you -- NOW!
As always -- continue to resist; now more than ever!
These women often don't have careers -- and the jobs they may have do not inspire them to be the best that they can be. Sometimes they settle into bureaucratic sameness and while away their years working the same job, for just about the same pay, forever.
It is so unlike the way most of the men I know think. Men of all ages -- even those who are "stuck" in some way, are geared towards improvement and change. They often don't succeed -- but they are usually game to give it a try.
I don't know when this syndrome starts -- but I see it every day in school --- in women as young as 23 or 24. By the time these women cycle out of their 20's -- they create the feeling in themselves that almost nothing is now possible. What a loss! Women are what we need: in government, in the professions, in all fields from sportscasting to writing; from leadership to entrepreneurial pursuits.
Women need to extend their thinking -- and their hopes -- beyond the mundane. WE all need you -- NOW!
As always -- continue to resist; now more than ever!
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Stuck With the ...Status Quo
Nothing will get done in any kind of "progressive" that is not approved of by our President (and his 33 % support in the ranks of the Republican Party). Why? The "moderate" and "independent" conservative Congressmen (and women of course) and Senators are terrified of an "election challenge" by the crazies on the right. The Democratic party has a similar "lockout" by the left wing progressives.
Until Donald Trump is impeached and there is no longer an arch-conservative standard-bearer who can do no wrong selected, we are stuck with Trump -- and gridlock -- and ridiculous tweets which shame and vilify American values -- and attitudes that are akin to racism, white supremacy, and white privilege -- and stupid comments of moronic quality laced with ignorance, and self-aggrandizement, and arrogance.
The biggest consequence of the last Presidential election was not the election of Donald J. Trump -- but the concomitant loss of Truth, Justice, and the American Way. Yes, we do need a "superman" (or superwoman) to clean up the political mess -- and get the country back on track towards the new American Century. Anybody interested? We desperately need a "hero" at this crucial time!
Until then, continue to "resist."
Until Donald Trump is impeached and there is no longer an arch-conservative standard-bearer who can do no wrong selected, we are stuck with Trump -- and gridlock -- and ridiculous tweets which shame and vilify American values -- and attitudes that are akin to racism, white supremacy, and white privilege -- and stupid comments of moronic quality laced with ignorance, and self-aggrandizement, and arrogance.
The biggest consequence of the last Presidential election was not the election of Donald J. Trump -- but the concomitant loss of Truth, Justice, and the American Way. Yes, we do need a "superman" (or superwoman) to clean up the political mess -- and get the country back on track towards the new American Century. Anybody interested? We desperately need a "hero" at this crucial time!
Until then, continue to "resist."
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
The Place of Women
Obviously we need more women in government: on the Federal, State, and local levels. As Senators women the women have been shown to be the trailblazers in actually voting for their state's best interests, rather than following the herd instinct promulgated and often prescripted by party leaders.
Someday, with the right candidate, we may even have a woman as President -- that is, if women themselves can overcome their prejudices against women and vote for such a candidate. It would be wonderful to get back to government that could actually "do something" rather than deriding everyone else for their own failures. The Opposition Party is not the enemy. As a certain newspaper cartoon figure used to say, and eloquently so: "we have met the enemy, and the enemy is 'us'."
Women appear to have more of a capacity for common sense, a particularly uncommon commodity in the current world. Common sense could actually get us to consensus -- and even rare commodity. Progress of any kind in Congress is at the most pathetic point in the history of Congress -- and that is saying quite a bit. Don't blame anyone else -- don't pass off the comments with typical "attack back" politics -- "the enemy is YOU; all of you."
Continue your struggles -- readers -- and resist!
Someday, with the right candidate, we may even have a woman as President -- that is, if women themselves can overcome their prejudices against women and vote for such a candidate. It would be wonderful to get back to government that could actually "do something" rather than deriding everyone else for their own failures. The Opposition Party is not the enemy. As a certain newspaper cartoon figure used to say, and eloquently so: "we have met the enemy, and the enemy is 'us'."
Women appear to have more of a capacity for common sense, a particularly uncommon commodity in the current world. Common sense could actually get us to consensus -- and even rare commodity. Progress of any kind in Congress is at the most pathetic point in the history of Congress -- and that is saying quite a bit. Don't blame anyone else -- don't pass off the comments with typical "attack back" politics -- "the enemy is YOU; all of you."
Continue your struggles -- readers -- and resist!
Monday, October 2, 2017
The World Has Changed
The NRA still insists we are safer if everyone has a gun. Some communities are arming their teachers. Gun laws have still not been updated to account for "automatic weapons" to be used for hunting, background checks, gadgets to turn regular rifles into fully-automatic ones, etc.
People are still dying every year by the busload -- at concerts, clubs, in street warfare, and in accidents. "Open carry" is being carried out in just about every venue. And our legislature is afraid to act -- thanks to the "gun lobby." Your Second Amendment rights somehow "trump" my right to life.
And speaking of "trump" -- a whole new atmosphere exists in our country. "Fake news" is anything that I don't agree with -- if the "I" is Donald J. Trump. It is okay, under Trump, to be uncivil, bullying, misogynistic, course, impolite, uncivilized, white supremacist, lying, fat, unconcerned with others, "slap-backish," racist, and petty. It is my new duty to hit back harder than I am hit -- no matter who or what my hitting back hurts. Kick people when they are down, but only if they criticize my tremendous successes. After all, everything I do is a success -- I can do no wrong; I am Trump.
Resist the fools -- and the foolish.
People are still dying every year by the busload -- at concerts, clubs, in street warfare, and in accidents. "Open carry" is being carried out in just about every venue. And our legislature is afraid to act -- thanks to the "gun lobby." Your Second Amendment rights somehow "trump" my right to life.
And speaking of "trump" -- a whole new atmosphere exists in our country. "Fake news" is anything that I don't agree with -- if the "I" is Donald J. Trump. It is okay, under Trump, to be uncivil, bullying, misogynistic, course, impolite, uncivilized, white supremacist, lying, fat, unconcerned with others, "slap-backish," racist, and petty. It is my new duty to hit back harder than I am hit -- no matter who or what my hitting back hurts. Kick people when they are down, but only if they criticize my tremendous successes. After all, everything I do is a success -- I can do no wrong; I am Trump.
Resist the fools -- and the foolish.
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