Is Ben Carson a pathological liar? Is Donald Trump a self-aggrandizing sociopath? Is Carly Fiorina frigid? Is Jeb Bush alive? What is John Kasich? Or Marco Rubio?
Why should I care about tabloid political punditry? Perhaps so that I can distinguish it from real issues of character, or real truths about someone's views, or accurate portrayals of the candidate's behavior in the past.
Are political campaigns that hang on for months and months, with debate after debate, still a useful tool for society to judge a candidate for possible selection and election to the highest offices in our government? How else could we do it? Divine right of kings, perhaps? Or, the richest guy (or gal) gets elected! Or the best smile and haircut wins!
There has got to be a better way than this cauldron of information
Monday, November 9, 2015
Friday, November 6, 2015
Real Men Read
Today I will be "reading" for classes at Haven Elementary School in the national Real Men Read program. I hope to show my love of reading to others -- and fire their own love of reading and discovery.
Wish me luck!
Wish me luck!
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Rise of Russian Nationalism
I have both Russian and Ukrainian neighbors in my little Downtown area of Savannah, GA, USA! When we do see each other -- we talk about the "rise of Russia" in its own mind, as a "leading country" (a Superpower?) on the face of the earth. The nuclear capability is what people most talk about now -- rather than the "top world economy" that Russia once had.
Russia and Ukraine are at "odds with one another." As are many of the former Soviet Union countries that grew under Russian rule. But Ukraine is now free -- with millions of Russian-speaking citizens more loyal perhaps to Russia and Putin, than to the Democratic Republic which is the Ukraine. Russia (or its surrogates) have recaptured the Crimea, and Donetsk (now a self-declared, self-governing "republic" dominated by Russian-speaking separatists).
Will Ukraine itself eventually be absorbed by this "movement?" What about other areas with large Russian-speaking populations? Estonia? Latvia? Lithuania? And even parts of Bulgaria, or Romania, or perhaps Poland? How far does the Russian shadow fall? Brighton Beach?
Russia and Ukraine are at "odds with one another." As are many of the former Soviet Union countries that grew under Russian rule. But Ukraine is now free -- with millions of Russian-speaking citizens more loyal perhaps to Russia and Putin, than to the Democratic Republic which is the Ukraine. Russia (or its surrogates) have recaptured the Crimea, and Donetsk (now a self-declared, self-governing "republic" dominated by Russian-speaking separatists).
Will Ukraine itself eventually be absorbed by this "movement?" What about other areas with large Russian-speaking populations? Estonia? Latvia? Lithuania? And even parts of Bulgaria, or Romania, or perhaps Poland? How far does the Russian shadow fall? Brighton Beach?
We Are All Racists
A colleague of mine here at Savannah Tech yesterday opined the idea that the above statement (the title of this blog entry) should be leveled at all of us -- to induce a real soul-searching round of "critical thinking" concerning our daily actions towards others. Forcing ourselves to examine our decisions, day to day, might make us more aware of the subtle little shifts in attitude we display or repeat (often without even realizing that we do).
This process would be more that just mild intellectual self-probing; this would need to be a real defense and thoroughgoing examination of why we think as we do; why we act as we do; recognizing the pattern(s) in ourselves, no matter how small and seemingly benign. "Critical thinking" requires turning an action or idea "inside-out" to really "pick it apart" and show, in precise and exacting terms, how we make judgments.
This is no game. This is seeking the truth of ourselves and our own behaviors. Why are we so afraid of this person, and not of that one? Why do we favor one person over another? Why do we only ever buy one kind of ice cream? Why indeed?
This process would be more that just mild intellectual self-probing; this would need to be a real defense and thoroughgoing examination of why we think as we do; why we act as we do; recognizing the pattern(s) in ourselves, no matter how small and seemingly benign. "Critical thinking" requires turning an action or idea "inside-out" to really "pick it apart" and show, in precise and exacting terms, how we make judgments.
This is no game. This is seeking the truth of ourselves and our own behaviors. Why are we so afraid of this person, and not of that one? Why do we favor one person over another? Why do we only ever buy one kind of ice cream? Why indeed?
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
The American Election Spectacle
Republicans, the GOP (Grand Old Party), have degenerated into a squabbling, dangerous, slightly fascist kind of "hot mess." There Presidential candidates sometimes outdo each other in the "fantastical" conceptions of economics (trickle-down wealth), politics (money and greed are good), religion (the end of the world is coming and I want to be "your" president), and every other possible civilized construct.
Republicans resist knowledge and science (what "global warming"?); they condemn all government actions (we are not making "war" hard enough, with enough vigor, etc.); they resist all change and growth for anyone but themselves (the "middle class are struggling, and my plan will help them" -- I just can't prove it)!
The the Democrats? The Progressives? The Democratic Socialists? They just don't know.
Republicans resist knowledge and science (what "global warming"?); they condemn all government actions (we are not making "war" hard enough, with enough vigor, etc.); they resist all change and growth for anyone but themselves (the "middle class are struggling, and my plan will help them" -- I just can't prove it)!
The the Democrats? The Progressives? The Democratic Socialists? They just don't know.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Saga of Human Passion
What do we long for? What do we essentially need in our lives? Is it "love" or "sex" or "friendship" or "companionship?" What?
Everyone is certainly search for it -- that is for sure. Often unnamed or unadmitted -- we search every day for that missing element. That joy. That release. That pain/
Who is supposed to provide that "something" for us -- is it our responsibility; or is it the Planner's (god)? Are we on a kind of "trip to nowhere" in this our life? Are we an accident of the universe, left alone -- to create our own meaning? Is it enough to have "loved and lost; than never to have loved at all?" The fates are not only blind, but dumb (in every sense), crippled, and crazy? And I for one don't like the situation(s) we are all in! Where do I send my complaint?
Everyone is certainly search for it -- that is for sure. Often unnamed or unadmitted -- we search every day for that missing element. That joy. That release. That pain/
Who is supposed to provide that "something" for us -- is it our responsibility; or is it the Planner's (god)? Are we on a kind of "trip to nowhere" in this our life? Are we an accident of the universe, left alone -- to create our own meaning? Is it enough to have "loved and lost; than never to have loved at all?" The fates are not only blind, but dumb (in every sense), crippled, and crazy? And I for one don't like the situation(s) we are all in! Where do I send my complaint?
Monday, November 2, 2015
Reading for Children
This week, as part of a national initiative called "Real Men Read," I will be reading for various classes at a local elementary school in Savannah, GA. I am very happy to be doing this and am looking forward to it immensely.
Finding ways to help others has been a constant if not embedded element in my life for a long period of time. It was reinforced by She's death back in 2004. In many ways I cannot do enough for others, no matter how hard I try. I have been given so very much, and am so horribly unworthy of it all. Giving something back is the least I can do to acknowledge the many gifts and kindnesses I have been given.
Finding ways to help others has been a constant if not embedded element in my life for a long period of time. It was reinforced by She's death back in 2004. In many ways I cannot do enough for others, no matter how hard I try. I have been given so very much, and am so horribly unworthy of it all. Giving something back is the least I can do to acknowledge the many gifts and kindnesses I have been given.
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