The end of a semester to me always carries with it the distinctive feeling of the "end times." The wrath of God (grades) descend on the Faithful (unfaithful students) and show them that their responsibilities overcame them (they didn't do their work) and now they are doomed to hard time in limbo (studying for exams).
It also means some students will be transferring to four-year schools; others will be dropping out to earn more money (to take more classes in the future); and some students will be giving up entirely (they don't see the merit in more education no matter what people say; they consider themselves "complete" just as they are -- living 'da life).
The End Times are a biblical story -- but they are repeated each term.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
America Will Be Okay !
There is a "shaking out" period going on in American politics. America is hearing about "revolution" from the Democrats -- but they have come to understand that the "revolution" would not kill the essence of what America truly is. And we have a choice -- fast (impossible) or slow (likely).
We have also witnessed our "dark side." We have seen the unabated racism, the hatred of "color," the veiled-but-not-too veiled hatred of women and equality, the fear of strangers and new ideas, the moronic anger at nothing in particular except some of our own failures. We haven't gotten a raise -- blame someone. We haven't been rewarded with a new position -- blame someone else. We haven't achieved all we wanted to achieve -- blame everyone! And Trump and Cruz are our mouthpieces!
In spite of it all -- we will triumph. We will still have the "dark side" and it still will be a threat to normalcy. But the best candidate will win -- and America will win. Because it must.
We have also witnessed our "dark side." We have seen the unabated racism, the hatred of "color," the veiled-but-not-too veiled hatred of women and equality, the fear of strangers and new ideas, the moronic anger at nothing in particular except some of our own failures. We haven't gotten a raise -- blame someone. We haven't been rewarded with a new position -- blame someone else. We haven't achieved all we wanted to achieve -- blame everyone! And Trump and Cruz are our mouthpieces!
In spite of it all -- we will triumph. We will still have the "dark side" and it still will be a threat to normalcy. But the best candidate will win -- and America will win. Because it must.
Wisconsin and Bernie
There is such a things as "Quixotic stupidity" -- that unfortunately is Bernie's revolution. It is true that there is a disparity in wealth distribution in America -- and something needs to be done. But we cannot simply talk about it and then "declare a Socialist state" and pass the money around.
We are a Capitalist economic system -- the "bottom line" is everything in America, including in government. And the bottom line in government is possibility -- the possibility of change. How does "change" happen in America -- legislation yes, but in slow increments not in "revolution." The "delusions" that are owned by Bernie Backers are legion -- "just elect Bernie and 'watch things change?'" Yikes. How naive can one be?
The corporations and wealthy 1% will just "give over" their money to help the poor and the disadvantaged? In what universe?
We are a Capitalist economic system -- the "bottom line" is everything in America, including in government. And the bottom line in government is possibility -- the possibility of change. How does "change" happen in America -- legislation yes, but in slow increments not in "revolution." The "delusions" that are owned by Bernie Backers are legion -- "just elect Bernie and 'watch things change?'" Yikes. How naive can one be?
The corporations and wealthy 1% will just "give over" their money to help the poor and the disadvantaged? In what universe?
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Finances
"Finances" don't just mean "money." They also include the other staples: time, energy, interest (as in "concern"), and a dozen other things.
Finances are a way of being afraid. I am not afraid.
Finances are a way of being afraid. I am not afraid.
Beauty Girl
I knew a woman once, who was so beautiful she was incomparable. She was unique -- a flower unto her own reflection. A smiling and giving woman who would not allow her eyes to look away, who would not allow her voice to gain an edge of anger, who would not persist in being anti ---- anything!
I knew this woman very, very well. So well that in my dream I married her. And lived a life of seeming happiness -- amidst the roses, and the rain; the sun, and the pain. I married her --- and then she was called away. She grew too hurt to continue; and then she even died, in my dream.
And I was at fault. Some way -- I was at fault. She died; and I was at fault. Or so the dream goes.
There are women now just as beautiful as she was then -- but I am no longer able to dream. I died during that last dream you see.
I knew this woman very, very well. So well that in my dream I married her. And lived a life of seeming happiness -- amidst the roses, and the rain; the sun, and the pain. I married her --- and then she was called away. She grew too hurt to continue; and then she even died, in my dream.
And I was at fault. Some way -- I was at fault. She died; and I was at fault. Or so the dream goes.
There are women now just as beautiful as she was then -- but I am no longer able to dream. I died during that last dream you see.
Monday, April 4, 2016
On Wisconsin, On Wisconsin!
"...Grand old Badger State..." Tomorrow, April 5th is an important day in contemporary Wisconsin history. It is the day of the 2016 Primary election in both the Democratic and the Republican parties.
The Primary in Wisconsin, if I remember correctly, allows all voters who are Independent (or claim to be for this election) can "cross over" to vote for either side. I only hope that the "smart stuff" I know to be part of the Wisconsin "idea" holds true and rejects Trump, and Cruz, and yes, even Bernie Sanders. I like the "Bern" but he cannot govern as a Socialist, no matter how Progressive his young followers would like to see him act.
There are "few" if any "Progressives" in the 2016 Congress and that is not going to change before 2017. So, if Bernie "wins" we all lose. No Progressive "revolution," more rampant obstructionism (now perhaps from both parties) and the "end" of new thinking about change.
We need "change" obviously -- but it has to be directional, and incremental, and focused. Congress has to first relearn how to "play nice" before it can actually solve our many, many problems. We need Hillary as President -- no matter how much some individuals may dislike her (because of Bill? because she is smart? because she is strong?).
The Primary in Wisconsin, if I remember correctly, allows all voters who are Independent (or claim to be for this election) can "cross over" to vote for either side. I only hope that the "smart stuff" I know to be part of the Wisconsin "idea" holds true and rejects Trump, and Cruz, and yes, even Bernie Sanders. I like the "Bern" but he cannot govern as a Socialist, no matter how Progressive his young followers would like to see him act.
There are "few" if any "Progressives" in the 2016 Congress and that is not going to change before 2017. So, if Bernie "wins" we all lose. No Progressive "revolution," more rampant obstructionism (now perhaps from both parties) and the "end" of new thinking about change.
We need "change" obviously -- but it has to be directional, and incremental, and focused. Congress has to first relearn how to "play nice" before it can actually solve our many, many problems. We need Hillary as President -- no matter how much some individuals may dislike her (because of Bill? because she is smart? because she is strong?).
Savannah Sass
What is a typical "Savannah Girl" like -- well, I can sure tell you a lot about this particular query. Using my "surrogate daughter" as a partial example I can say that she is: confident but internally panicked; flirtatious to a strong degree yet apparently totally oblivious to her own needs; smart but achingly dumb about some things; willing to be fearless, but ridiculously afraid to fail; beautiful, but aware of every physical flaw she possesses!
I have seen so many of these "Savannah-born" women in my life that I have become able to pick them out from any crowd, anywhere, anytime! She is the woman in the bar smoking the small cigar, wearing the tight jeans, leading the strongest conversations, and most likely to go home late -- and probably alone. She is "loyal" to a fault, and to a guy with many, many faults! She goes at existence like it was a 2-lb steak, and comes away with her hunger only partially satisfied. She is a creature of pure whimsey, and purer deliberation. She is the classic description: "a beautiful girl with a dirty face."
I have seen so many of these "Savannah-born" women in my life that I have become able to pick them out from any crowd, anywhere, anytime! She is the woman in the bar smoking the small cigar, wearing the tight jeans, leading the strongest conversations, and most likely to go home late -- and probably alone. She is "loyal" to a fault, and to a guy with many, many faults! She goes at existence like it was a 2-lb steak, and comes away with her hunger only partially satisfied. She is a creature of pure whimsey, and purer deliberation. She is the classic description: "a beautiful girl with a dirty face."
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