Money IS the Problem

Many institutions in the US are "coming apart" due to an increasing emphasis on the "bottom line."  Success of a movement, a person, a business, a career, even a marriage -- is being measured by how strong it is financially.  Capitalism has begun to penetrate every aspect of American life -- and has become the biggest hindrance to the application of any so-called American values, contained as our birthright in the American Constitution and the activity of the American Government. 

Capitalism is an economic system -- and it is not the only one that exists. Its is not a "form of government" nor is it the last "say" in every decision about everything.  Why can't we put "boots on the ground" in defense of our principles and our country in Iraq? Why can't we pay the poorest of workers more than the minimum wage? Why don't we consider billionaires as fallible and remorselessly human as the rest of us? You guessed it -- money!

We are hamstrung by our concentration on money, what things cost, what things have value in terms of money, etc. We can no longer differentiate between good and evil, right and wrong, unless it is terms of financial cost. We are the money-changers in the Temple! 

Disintegration

Why do things seem to be falling apart? The Naional Will in the US; the NFL; the sense of fairness in the way we discipline our children; our ability as a nation to figure out what to do about ISIS; our anger over big-name sports stars many "sins;" our tentative hold on reality!

Are we "getting worse" in everything we do, or attempt to do? Are we unable to decipher a clear path of action when our beliefs are challenged? Are we all hypocrites constantly fooling ourselves about our own truthfulness?

Time Runs Forward

To all my friends who are "literal" interpreters of the Bible -- we cannot return to the times of the Old Testament, so stop using it to inform and justify your current behaviors. To all my friends who are Muslim -- our God does not believe in your vanity; you cannot kill indiscriminately because our Mullah is crazy-angry at the West and sets a "fatwah" against them. Crazy backward-looking thinking of a thousand years ago cannot justify nor support your absolutely evil behavior in the present.

To kill by beheading -- and advertises it on the web to enhance your recruiting for your insane wars is evil; it is against faith; it is against life. It is bizarre and insane. It is justified only by your own madness and ego.

To believe that a century's old book can somehow bring us a moral guide for the present and for the future is insane and bizarre. To deny all we know through science because it contradicts the "fanciful poetry of the Bible" is insane.

To ISIS and to the literal interpreters of the Bible -- you are both insane. 

As I Await...

As I await the "news" about Tosha's ongoing health situation, I admit to being worried ... on a primal kind of level.  I feel her fear; I completely identify with her (by now) "settled" evaluation of her own situation.

Tosha is a strong woman -- more capable than even her closest friends could admit. Tosha has handled crises in her life with honest and courage, and the depth of heart that makes her the "poster child" for niceness.  She is a winner -- a woman who triumphs -- a true conqueror of life's programs and obstacles.

Please let the "news" be in proportion to her available skills and maturity.  Please!

Fear, and Resignation

There is a cloying feeling in the pit of my stomach -- I am worried for you.  I am worried that you will get a diagnosis that will be hard to take. I am worried that you will be hurt. I am worried that I will be helpless to change things. I am a palliative, not a cure. I am a helper, not a difference-maker.

You deserve all good things, not bad. You deserve to have a family some day, and children that you will give birth to. You deserve these things and so much more.

You do not deserve the fate of your female forebears. You deserve better -- though your flesh is genetically identical. You deserve the best.   

My Biggest Fear

My biggest fear is a crisis that happens everyday. It happens when something awful occurs, and I can do nothing about it but "be patient and try to live through it." Sometimes the bad event is a loss of job, or a diagnosis, or a "fear being realized," or even a success too big to cope with. No matter what it is -- the event makes me feel helpless to forfend it, helpless to stop it or even slow it's happening, just plain human helpless. 

I am only human -- and that is my biggest and most complete vulnerability. While I may comprehend what is happening to me -- I am always helpless to stop it. Yikes. 

For Tosha -- My Daughter

You have continually made me a proud (old?) man these past few years.  You have handled yourself and the problems of life with honesty, thoughtful care, and strong and purposeful imagination. I applaud you for your life, your many (many) accomplishments -- and your determination to live a full and artful life. 

Sheila would be proud; I am proud; everyone of your family and friend-circle who knows you well --- should be proud.

I am "in your corner" and "on your side" and will help you in any way I can to achieve your goals -- your many goals. You have done more "planning" in your life than I have done in mine -- and for you that has been a good and rewarding component of your life. Sometimes I am in awe of you -- but mostly I am just proud, and happy for you. Be well and do well; you are still a "Georgia" peach!!!