Live to bring about your hopes rather than fears!
Live to Understand rather than to be understood!
Live to dream of the very best!
Live to trust in your best instinct !
Live to teach and to inspire!
May we all strive to live our best over these next 12 months!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Is this a true formula for fairness and peace?- Part 2!
In my previous blog, I asked if it is wrong to try to make the wealthiest people significantly poorer in order to show that we care about the struggles of those in our society whp jave the least and struggle mightily to get through each day!
The US has always, perhaps not as much as we could, shown in an interest of the travails of those BARELY making it! We work to make sure that such individuals get what they, bottom line, must have to survive! It is so right to ask ourselves often, " What can we do to make the lives of these people better?"
Yet, The issue seems to be " Have we lost hope that we can improve the lives of the people who struggle the most in our nation?" If we believe this to be true, What is the basis for us seeing this as reality?
Do people still not have dreams? Does technology allow people access to more people and give them more ways to share their hopes and dreams with others? Doesn't a strong commitment to improving yourself and working hard to make it so produce results? Do people still start companies? It is entirely possible tthat is MORE difficult to get from the gutter to the penthouse
Yet, Difficult and tough truly is NOT in any way the same as impossible as it it CAN!!!! NOT!!! transpire! It does not mean " Let's encourage you to accept where you are AT PRESENT because any efforts to improve yourself in a significant and lasting way!" . If this is validly true, Them you are asking people to cripple themselves by accepting what does not need to be accepted, to accept what can be changed!
Some say that certain people like to have people dismiss hope as a possibility because it allows those very people to look to at the proclaimers of " reality" as the ones who are their vital advocates and apostles. They will insure that those who cannot better themselves will still be "properly provided" for.
Yes, There are some people who are born with conditions that limit themselves so physically and/ or mentally that they are dependent on the kindness and support of others!Only the totally lacking of conscience will ever argue that they should either survive or not serve on their own. In fact, We, as a nation, are never going to be the kind to ever watch people starve and needlessly suffer.
However, Don't we all agree, as principle that people do best when they practice the habit of doing all that they can for themselves? When we run into those who've never learned how to do this or who have long forgotten how to do this, We need to support them as we teach or re-teach the struggling man or woman to do the maximum they can for themselves/
So, Haranguing the well-doers is just a temper tantrum action and a mis-placed act of mollification. An ethic of encouraging everyone to strive to do their best allows us all to seek to attain the very best that each of us is capable of attaining!
- Johnny -
The US has always, perhaps not as much as we could, shown in an interest of the travails of those BARELY making it! We work to make sure that such individuals get what they, bottom line, must have to survive! It is so right to ask ourselves often, " What can we do to make the lives of these people better?"
Yet, The issue seems to be " Have we lost hope that we can improve the lives of the people who struggle the most in our nation?" If we believe this to be true, What is the basis for us seeing this as reality?
Do people still not have dreams? Does technology allow people access to more people and give them more ways to share their hopes and dreams with others? Doesn't a strong commitment to improving yourself and working hard to make it so produce results? Do people still start companies? It is entirely possible tthat is MORE difficult to get from the gutter to the penthouse
Yet, Difficult and tough truly is NOT in any way the same as impossible as it it CAN!!!! NOT!!! transpire! It does not mean " Let's encourage you to accept where you are AT PRESENT because any efforts to improve yourself in a significant and lasting way!" . If this is validly true, Them you are asking people to cripple themselves by accepting what does not need to be accepted, to accept what can be changed!
Some say that certain people like to have people dismiss hope as a possibility because it allows those very people to look to at the proclaimers of " reality" as the ones who are their vital advocates and apostles. They will insure that those who cannot better themselves will still be "properly provided" for.
Yes, There are some people who are born with conditions that limit themselves so physically and/ or mentally that they are dependent on the kindness and support of others!Only the totally lacking of conscience will ever argue that they should either survive or not serve on their own. In fact, We, as a nation, are never going to be the kind to ever watch people starve and needlessly suffer.
However, Don't we all agree, as principle that people do best when they practice the habit of doing all that they can for themselves? When we run into those who've never learned how to do this or who have long forgotten how to do this, We need to support them as we teach or re-teach the struggling man or woman to do the maximum they can for themselves/
So, Haranguing the well-doers is just a temper tantrum action and a mis-placed act of mollification. An ethic of encouraging everyone to strive to do their best allows us all to seek to attain the very best that each of us is capable of attaining!
- Johnny -
Is this a true formula for fairness and peace?
26 minutes ago, The Final Out of the 7th game if The World Series was recorded! This game was won on the last swing of the bat- in front of a rapidly cheering home crowd! The moment is amazing- one likely to be savored for years to come, this victory will be told to grandchildren who will not be born for years to come!
Imagine if The Commissioner Of Baseball, rather than presenting the Championship Trophy, lectured the owners, players and fans of this team! "This team is far too talented! It is not fair for them to dominate the sport as they did through out this season!" These words are jarring and unwanted by those who embrace this team!
" I, therefore, have decided that your team will need to lose 4 players from your roster. Your Third Baseman who hit 52 Homeruns, Drove in 139 runs and lead all Third Basemen in Fielding is being assigned to the Last Place team in your Division.Your Closer who saved 39 games this season will be assigned to the team who finished second in your division. Your rookie catcher will be re- assigned to your Single A Team in Cloverton for 2 years! Your Second Baseman will be told he must retire!"
These ideas seem ghastly and would tear the Baseball world apart and yet some, in the name of fairness and kindness, might be well able to justify doing this!
Does it make life better to insist that other people have far less than what they'd like to have can feel more comfortable and less antagonized?
- Johnny -
Imagine if The Commissioner Of Baseball, rather than presenting the Championship Trophy, lectured the owners, players and fans of this team! "This team is far too talented! It is not fair for them to dominate the sport as they did through out this season!" These words are jarring and unwanted by those who embrace this team!
" I, therefore, have decided that your team will need to lose 4 players from your roster. Your Third Baseman who hit 52 Homeruns, Drove in 139 runs and lead all Third Basemen in Fielding is being assigned to the Last Place team in your Division.Your Closer who saved 39 games this season will be assigned to the team who finished second in your division. Your rookie catcher will be re- assigned to your Single A Team in Cloverton for 2 years! Your Second Baseman will be told he must retire!"
These ideas seem ghastly and would tear the Baseball world apart and yet some, in the name of fairness and kindness, might be well able to justify doing this!
Does it make life better to insist that other people have far less than what they'd like to have can feel more comfortable and less antagonized?
- Johnny -
Thursday, December 30, 2010
When a new opportunity dawns...
Yet, This transition, In some ways it is just a calendar related optical illusion, We go from a Friday to a Saturday as we do at the end of EVERY Friday! W#hen this transition traspires as December morphs into January, We call that New Years' Eve and New Years' Day!
Many of us have turned their backs on the idea of New Years' Resolutions, We don't really offer commitments we are likely to keep and we generally prove this as our resolutions do not generally get maintained for very long into the New Year.
Yet, We do turn wishes into practices and maintainable reality if we are really determined to change, to renew and to try to do something that we have never attempted before. It seems that we just simplu need to be more determined to succeed than we are afraid to try and fail!
Therefore, The ideas that we seem to hunger and thirst for are the ideas we are likely to bring to pass as a new way of living , a new way of falling more in love with life! Maybe rather than Resolutions we ought to decide what we most desperately want and decide that we will labor over the next year to turn that into something that will simply become true about us as 2011 rolls on!
- Johnny -
Many of us have turned their backs on the idea of New Years' Resolutions, We don't really offer commitments we are likely to keep and we generally prove this as our resolutions do not generally get maintained for very long into the New Year.
Yet, We do turn wishes into practices and maintainable reality if we are really determined to change, to renew and to try to do something that we have never attempted before. It seems that we just simplu need to be more determined to succeed than we are afraid to try and fail!
Therefore, The ideas that we seem to hunger and thirst for are the ideas we are likely to bring to pass as a new way of living , a new way of falling more in love with life! Maybe rather than Resolutions we ought to decide what we most desperately want and decide that we will labor over the next year to turn that into something that will simply become true about us as 2011 rolls on!
- Johnny -
The Constitution and The New Congress!
For the first time in the History of The US House of Representatives, The entire Constitution will be read aloud at the start of the Opening Session of this NEW CONGRESS!
The New House leadership also is going to ask that an explanation of how the legislator/ legislators' proposed bill has Constitutional Authority. That seems good- let's make sure that our legislators know the Constitution, put it into practice and make sure that the laws they strive to write actually adhere to the Constitution!
- Johnny -
The New House leadership also is going to ask that an explanation of how the legislator/ legislators' proposed bill has Constitutional Authority. That seems good- let's make sure that our legislators know the Constitution, put it into practice and make sure that the laws they strive to write actually adhere to the Constitution!
- Johnny -
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Coaching
What makes someone a superb coach? What makes someone a person that others will willingly put themselves under the authority of?
As many of you know, I am a MAJOR sports fan and often enjoy listening to the commentary and analysis I hear on various radio sports programs. Earlier today, Danny Kanel, who is serving as one of the Commentators for the Military Bowl- Maryland versus East Carolina University. The main story line of this
came is supposed to be that this will be the Final Game that Martland Coach Ralph Friegen will be coaching as the Head Coach of the Terrapins! Friegen was fired on the 20th of this month after refusing a strong request to resign his position!
However, When Kanel called in to the DC Area's 106.7 FM, He was not interested in discussing the Military Bowl. He was most eager to discuss, however, The Redskins' Current Head Coach, Mike Shanahan. Kanel was a reserve Quarterback for the Denver Broncos during a portion of the time when Mister Shanahan served as the Broncos' Head Coach!
Kanel seems to believe that Coach S is more fanatically committed to finding " Another John Elway" than Captain Ahab was in locating the Great White Whale. This means that Shanahan is not likely to to take seriously and value what he has on his roster now was what Kanel felt was the conclusion to draw from this!
A number of NFL analysts feel that the weakness of bringing back the "Legendary Coaches" is that these coaches seem to cling to the belief that what ever made them successful then will make them Super Bowl Winning Coaches again today! This means that Coach Shanahan doesn't see Elway when he looks carefully at Donavan Mc Nabb! Therefore,He disparages Mc Nabb as not being smart enough and hard working enough to be his Starting Quarterback.
No one can bring back the past. Moreover , You can't force everyone else to operate as they did in the late 1990's so you can coach in the same way that you coached in the late 1990's. Mr. Shanahan 's crush on John Elway may be blocking out his memories of Terrell Davis who was the star running back on the 2 Denver Broncos' Two SuperBowl Winning teams!
One of the core principles here just might be that barking orders, being dictatorial and making a lot of wishes may not serve as a great strategy. Being dedicated to the people who are on hand and being determined to get them to progress as players just MIGHT serve as a more prudent strategy!
- Johnny -
As many of you know, I am a MAJOR sports fan and often enjoy listening to the commentary and analysis I hear on various radio sports programs. Earlier today, Danny Kanel, who is serving as one of the Commentators for the Military Bowl- Maryland versus East Carolina University. The main story line of this
came is supposed to be that this will be the Final Game that Martland Coach Ralph Friegen will be coaching as the Head Coach of the Terrapins! Friegen was fired on the 20th of this month after refusing a strong request to resign his position!
However, When Kanel called in to the DC Area's 106.7 FM, He was not interested in discussing the Military Bowl. He was most eager to discuss, however, The Redskins' Current Head Coach, Mike Shanahan. Kanel was a reserve Quarterback for the Denver Broncos during a portion of the time when Mister Shanahan served as the Broncos' Head Coach!
Kanel seems to believe that Coach S is more fanatically committed to finding " Another John Elway" than Captain Ahab was in locating the Great White Whale. This means that Shanahan is not likely to to take seriously and value what he has on his roster now was what Kanel felt was the conclusion to draw from this!
A number of NFL analysts feel that the weakness of bringing back the "Legendary Coaches" is that these coaches seem to cling to the belief that what ever made them successful then will make them Super Bowl Winning Coaches again today! This means that Coach Shanahan doesn't see Elway when he looks carefully at Donavan Mc Nabb! Therefore,He disparages Mc Nabb as not being smart enough and hard working enough to be his Starting Quarterback.
No one can bring back the past. Moreover , You can't force everyone else to operate as they did in the late 1990's so you can coach in the same way that you coached in the late 1990's. Mr. Shanahan 's crush on John Elway may be blocking out his memories of Terrell Davis who was the star running back on the 2 Denver Broncos' Two SuperBowl Winning teams!
One of the core principles here just might be that barking orders, being dictatorial and making a lot of wishes may not serve as a great strategy. Being dedicated to the people who are on hand and being determined to get them to progress as players just MIGHT serve as a more prudent strategy!
- Johnny -
When we fear what might be....
Many people stroll through each day and boldly take on that day and look with faith, energy and confidence towards the thought of dealing with tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, three months from now or even 5 years from now. A number of those people trust in what they've accomplished and their sense that they are proven to be competent and able. Down to their core, These mean and women BELIEVE that they will handle everything and anything well.
Then, There are those who timidly tip-toe through each day! They see each day as a fearsome enemy, as a lurking and hateful monster that is very likely to be vicious and horrible to them.I must confess that I long have been such a timid and fearful information. I often need to coax and push myself into the new day. I believe that the day is likely to coat me with unpleasantness and horror as I tread through the day. Now, If the day turns out well, I will celebrate it but I will note it as being " a gift, an exceptional treasure"- in other words- a rarity not likely to be dependably replicated.
Thus, I am prone to sleeping in, to hiding and delaying! I say this keeps me safe and allows me to come to the conclusion that staying away from other and being by myself allows me maximum control over my life and the greatest possible safety and security! Yet, I'm also prone to depression and anxiety and the simple truth is that being alone and isolated makes my life worse and more troubled!
So, Over the last few days, I've been deciding that some " girding up my loins" is in order. I need to be available to care about and serve more people. I want a more interesting and richly diverse life that is soaked with possibilities and promise! So, I know that the way I have lived must be cast aside because I want to do much better and I want to become a far better person and the way I have lived will not allow for that to occur!
Not risking insures sameness, dullness and overwhelming and predictable boredom. Insisting that people should come visit you at home and not expect you to constantly be running around can leave you doing or not doing many things by yourself! Rejecting Local Public Transportation because I find it very disagreeable means that I limit my ability to get around! I simply am making my life unlivable and my justifications for doing so are seeming more to be quality thin and laughable excuses.
Therefore, I will practice the idea of Going Boldly into each new day and realistically commit myself to acting to making that day the best day that it can possibly be. I know some days will be trials but growth and progress are never promised to be easy, pleasant and gentle at all times!
All of this means, That My 2011 will be a more satisfying and overall positively interesting day than my 2010 was! YESSSSSSSS!!!
- Johnny -
Then, There are those who timidly tip-toe through each day! They see each day as a fearsome enemy, as a lurking and hateful monster that is very likely to be vicious and horrible to them.I must confess that I long have been such a timid and fearful information. I often need to coax and push myself into the new day. I believe that the day is likely to coat me with unpleasantness and horror as I tread through the day. Now, If the day turns out well, I will celebrate it but I will note it as being " a gift, an exceptional treasure"- in other words- a rarity not likely to be dependably replicated.
Thus, I am prone to sleeping in, to hiding and delaying! I say this keeps me safe and allows me to come to the conclusion that staying away from other and being by myself allows me maximum control over my life and the greatest possible safety and security! Yet, I'm also prone to depression and anxiety and the simple truth is that being alone and isolated makes my life worse and more troubled!
So, Over the last few days, I've been deciding that some " girding up my loins" is in order. I need to be available to care about and serve more people. I want a more interesting and richly diverse life that is soaked with possibilities and promise! So, I know that the way I have lived must be cast aside because I want to do much better and I want to become a far better person and the way I have lived will not allow for that to occur!
Not risking insures sameness, dullness and overwhelming and predictable boredom. Insisting that people should come visit you at home and not expect you to constantly be running around can leave you doing or not doing many things by yourself! Rejecting Local Public Transportation because I find it very disagreeable means that I limit my ability to get around! I simply am making my life unlivable and my justifications for doing so are seeming more to be quality thin and laughable excuses.
Therefore, I will practice the idea of Going Boldly into each new day and realistically commit myself to acting to making that day the best day that it can possibly be. I know some days will be trials but growth and progress are never promised to be easy, pleasant and gentle at all times!
All of this means, That My 2011 will be a more satisfying and overall positively interesting day than my 2010 was! YESSSSSSSS!!!
- Johnny -
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
We are such a mess right now!
I listen to the hosts on the FAN- WFAN 106.7 FM in Greater DC-complain about the Redskins win on Sunday! He felt that this team to ever be competitive must get draft picks The team is seen as being stuck in unacceptable bare mediocrity. To get better- The hosts seem to believe- means getting the highest possible picks and that means, in effect- cheering for your team to lose.
This puts the current players in the untenable and unenviable position as being unwanted and seen as the problem. It has to hurt to be seen as unwanted and better off gone. Pride in yourself and in your team really asks that you both play your best and play to win. Yet, You know you are offending your fans by doing what you know is the right thing to do!
We all know that we should always strive to do our best. Yet, In times when things are going seemingly going bad for a while, It can be come easy for us to consider ourselves to be THE PROBLEM. We may actually wish to be done with ourselves and to be remade into somebody else - that becoming anyone else would be so much a better deal than dealing with ourselves as we are at this moment!
Yet, When we decide to improve ourselves, It is, of course us- the person that we are today, that we are desiring to improve. We can't draft someone else to replace us. So, We need to truly be committed to ourselves as we strive to make ourselves much better!
Therefore, As we can't draft someone better to replace ourselves, We are best to always desire to play our best and do all we can to win!
- Johnny -
This puts the current players in the untenable and unenviable position as being unwanted and seen as the problem. It has to hurt to be seen as unwanted and better off gone. Pride in yourself and in your team really asks that you both play your best and play to win. Yet, You know you are offending your fans by doing what you know is the right thing to do!
We all know that we should always strive to do our best. Yet, In times when things are going seemingly going bad for a while, It can be come easy for us to consider ourselves to be THE PROBLEM. We may actually wish to be done with ourselves and to be remade into somebody else - that becoming anyone else would be so much a better deal than dealing with ourselves as we are at this moment!
Yet, When we decide to improve ourselves, It is, of course us- the person that we are today, that we are desiring to improve. We can't draft someone else to replace us. So, We need to truly be committed to ourselves as we strive to make ourselves much better!
Therefore, As we can't draft someone better to replace ourselves, We are best to always desire to play our best and do all we can to win!
- Johnny -
Monday, December 27, 2010
Are "The Mean" the 24-7-365 Grinches of 2011 ?
It is a popular bumpersticker and well-spoken slogan, "Mean people su*k!!!!!"! The mean people of the world, however we choose to define them, are people that we are socially ENCOURAGED to think the very worst about!
This is a big divide in current US society. Some passionately argue that we need to create our messages to others to be as caring and as kind as absolutely possible. Others dismiss this as overly " touchy -feely". Their outlook is " Say whatever is needed to be said and say it so bluntly and directly that it CANNOT be misunderstood!" What about how people react to what they are told? " Their problem and not mine" is likely to be the response provided to that question.
I will generally fall in with many of my fellow conservatives in thinking that Conservatives are " Blunt, Take No prisoners and unsparingly direct when it comes to social issue. I then will also tend to fall in with berating the Liberals for being" Too soft, overly sensitive and coddling" in how they address America's most critical social issues!
Yet , Two issues of late 2010 do give me ample reasons to find a deeper truth here. Doctor Laura Schlessinger was roundly taken to the woodshed for using the "N" word on her show. She was on a call with a black women who was taking umbrage with the frequency of how often that word was spoken around her! Dr. Laura took the view that " If one group of people can say that word as often as they wish to, then it is a word available freely for everyone to use." Dr. Laura was taken to task for her insensitivity and her obtuseness. She was reminded that the history of the word simply made it unsuitable for white people to use in nearly any context!
It does seem that the historical considerations and the culturally wide-spread condemnation of the word made it more than an issue of political correctness. There were clearly set boundaries that were violated. Dr. Laura saw herself as a victim -as someone who was being censored in this case. It seems to me that Dr. :aura will tell people that certain things are as they are and it DOES NOT matter if that pleases us!", However, Dr.Laura seemed very irate and perturbed when she ran into an accepted limitation that she did not like!
The other issue which seemed to flip the script was the reaction to detailed airport searches that many of us took intense notice of last month.The reaction from the leadership of The TSA and from Home Land Security was " If you do not like it, Take the Bus, Train or Drive"!! In other words, They weren't going to let people's feelings dictate their policy.
Now, One response that was offered to counter these statements was , "You need to profile and target those most likely to commit acts of terrorism". There is a certain amount of validity to THIS argument. However, I also hear a protest of " Impose inconvience on others but not upon me" present in the raising of this argument.
Therefore, Is our reaction to meanness , in effect, tied to whether we are personally being affronted, mistreated and disregarded ? Is it easy to say that others are being "whiners and complainers" when they are not treated as they wish to be and difficult to accept the same arguments when we feel maltreated?
Perhaps, We need to figure out what is truly reasonable for all to live by rather than point fingers at people we disagree with!
- Johnny -
This is a big divide in current US society. Some passionately argue that we need to create our messages to others to be as caring and as kind as absolutely possible. Others dismiss this as overly " touchy -feely". Their outlook is " Say whatever is needed to be said and say it so bluntly and directly that it CANNOT be misunderstood!" What about how people react to what they are told? " Their problem and not mine" is likely to be the response provided to that question.
I will generally fall in with many of my fellow conservatives in thinking that Conservatives are " Blunt, Take No prisoners and unsparingly direct when it comes to social issue. I then will also tend to fall in with berating the Liberals for being" Too soft, overly sensitive and coddling" in how they address America's most critical social issues!
Yet , Two issues of late 2010 do give me ample reasons to find a deeper truth here. Doctor Laura Schlessinger was roundly taken to the woodshed for using the "N" word on her show. She was on a call with a black women who was taking umbrage with the frequency of how often that word was spoken around her! Dr. Laura took the view that " If one group of people can say that word as often as they wish to, then it is a word available freely for everyone to use." Dr. Laura was taken to task for her insensitivity and her obtuseness. She was reminded that the history of the word simply made it unsuitable for white people to use in nearly any context!
It does seem that the historical considerations and the culturally wide-spread condemnation of the word made it more than an issue of political correctness. There were clearly set boundaries that were violated. Dr. Laura saw herself as a victim -as someone who was being censored in this case. It seems to me that Dr. :aura will tell people that certain things are as they are and it DOES NOT matter if that pleases us!", However, Dr.Laura seemed very irate and perturbed when she ran into an accepted limitation that she did not like!
The other issue which seemed to flip the script was the reaction to detailed airport searches that many of us took intense notice of last month.The reaction from the leadership of The TSA and from Home Land Security was " If you do not like it, Take the Bus, Train or Drive"!! In other words, They weren't going to let people's feelings dictate their policy.
Now, One response that was offered to counter these statements was , "You need to profile and target those most likely to commit acts of terrorism". There is a certain amount of validity to THIS argument. However, I also hear a protest of " Impose inconvience on others but not upon me" present in the raising of this argument.
Therefore, Is our reaction to meanness , in effect, tied to whether we are personally being affronted, mistreated and disregarded ? Is it easy to say that others are being "whiners and complainers" when they are not treated as they wish to be and difficult to accept the same arguments when we feel maltreated?
Perhaps, We need to figure out what is truly reasonable for all to live by rather than point fingers at people we disagree with!
- Johnny -
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Jealousy, Hyper- Insecurity and Forgetting the Human Beings are Not Objects and possessions!
Today is December 26th-In most of The Britannic- Influenced World it is a Holiday- Boxing Day! In The US of A, It might be called " Return Day". People will give many reasons for returning a gift! Many of those reasons actually can be described by the following words, " I would have liked something better!". " He or she SHOULD have known I would not have wanted that!" or perhaps, " I'm a difficult person to shop for- I know EXACTLY what I want and nothing LESS will do!"
Some of us seem to know exactly what will please us, satisfy us and make us happy and secure! Nothing quite else will work or do! Nothing us will satisfy or deeply please us and be suitable!
I've told this story before- but it fits well here- so I will tell it again. A lonely and very secure man meets a very lovely, stylish and extremely attractive woman at a class that both of them are taking. He enjoys being with her and he is pleased beyond please that she enjoys his company as well.
After a short time, He asks her to marry him! She smiles, grabs his hand and giggling says, " I would have asked you soon, if you had NOT asked me!" "Wow, " "He thinks " Who woulda thunk that ?", He feels that this is a miracle but he wonders, " Can this really be a lasting one?"
A few weeks later, They attend a holiday part. She looks amazing that night she wears a long gown that shows off both her beauty but her figure as well.He notices how many other men notice her figure as well. He doesn't like this but he says nothing, barely able to hold his tongue!
She senses something is wrong and to relieve her tension drinks more than she planned to. She also eats a lot more- as a matter of fact she also eats more than she planned to. On the way home, after the party, she talks about her eating and confesses that this is a problem for her- something she works hard to overcome.
On Valentine's Day, They are wed! On their wedding night, He looks at his splendidly gorgeous wife, " I'm so lucky but can I hang on to you. He then remembers how she ate at the party and what she told him later.
As they live together as man and wife he often does the cooking! He cooks well and cooks very fattening foods and offers her large portions. He tells her that , " I love you. I want you to be happy and I love how you are!" Yet, He notices 4 months later that the jeans she used to look amazing in , she now can barely fit into. A month later, He notices that her stomach is competing for attention with her breasts to get noticed!
Several months later, He goes on a business trip and leaves her a note that he will not be back. He no longer loves and wants her because he no longer sees her as desirable. Yet, He will never admit that he allowed jealousy and insecurity to become factors in partnering in disfiguring his formerly loved, cherished and held as splendid wife.
Husbands AND Wives are not the only ones who engage in this devastating foolishness! Some parents choose to love their children until they are born, Then, some parents will seek out the" flaws" in their children, Usually , The personality that the child has is not one the parents want to deal with them.that personality can cause a parent to dislike and wage war upon their child! Some parents will decide, sadly and by any means necessary to remake their child into someone that will be more pleasing to them!
People are individuals, they have a right to their lives and to be who they were designed to be and become. There is something warped and a bit evil concerning people who are determined to remake and redesign people. Valuing people as they are, celebrating them exactly and precisely as they are is the best way to live well with others and the best way to live more securely and peacefully with yourself!
- Johnny -
Some of us seem to know exactly what will please us, satisfy us and make us happy and secure! Nothing quite else will work or do! Nothing us will satisfy or deeply please us and be suitable!
I've told this story before- but it fits well here- so I will tell it again. A lonely and very secure man meets a very lovely, stylish and extremely attractive woman at a class that both of them are taking. He enjoys being with her and he is pleased beyond please that she enjoys his company as well.
After a short time, He asks her to marry him! She smiles, grabs his hand and giggling says, " I would have asked you soon, if you had NOT asked me!" "Wow, " "He thinks " Who woulda thunk that ?", He feels that this is a miracle but he wonders, " Can this really be a lasting one?"
A few weeks later, They attend a holiday part. She looks amazing that night she wears a long gown that shows off both her beauty but her figure as well.He notices how many other men notice her figure as well. He doesn't like this but he says nothing, barely able to hold his tongue!
She senses something is wrong and to relieve her tension drinks more than she planned to. She also eats a lot more- as a matter of fact she also eats more than she planned to. On the way home, after the party, she talks about her eating and confesses that this is a problem for her- something she works hard to overcome.
On Valentine's Day, They are wed! On their wedding night, He looks at his splendidly gorgeous wife, " I'm so lucky but can I hang on to you. He then remembers how she ate at the party and what she told him later.
As they live together as man and wife he often does the cooking! He cooks well and cooks very fattening foods and offers her large portions. He tells her that , " I love you. I want you to be happy and I love how you are!" Yet, He notices 4 months later that the jeans she used to look amazing in , she now can barely fit into. A month later, He notices that her stomach is competing for attention with her breasts to get noticed!
Several months later, He goes on a business trip and leaves her a note that he will not be back. He no longer loves and wants her because he no longer sees her as desirable. Yet, He will never admit that he allowed jealousy and insecurity to become factors in partnering in disfiguring his formerly loved, cherished and held as splendid wife.
Husbands AND Wives are not the only ones who engage in this devastating foolishness! Some parents choose to love their children until they are born, Then, some parents will seek out the" flaws" in their children, Usually , The personality that the child has is not one the parents want to deal with them.that personality can cause a parent to dislike and wage war upon their child! Some parents will decide, sadly and by any means necessary to remake their child into someone that will be more pleasing to them!
People are individuals, they have a right to their lives and to be who they were designed to be and become. There is something warped and a bit evil concerning people who are determined to remake and redesign people. Valuing people as they are, celebrating them exactly and precisely as they are is the best way to live well with others and the best way to live more securely and peacefully with yourself!
- Johnny -
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Good can indeed be a blessing!
Today is a good day. While I CAN imagine things being a whole lot better!, I can also imagine them being far worse! During some past Christmases, They have been.
God can be a rich blessing of God. Tonight, I thank you for good, Lord Jesus!
God can be a rich blessing of God. Tonight, I thank you for good, Lord Jesus!
Christmas - Truly not a" One and Done" Annual Holiday!
Upon further reflection, I realize that Christmas is not as showed to the back of the Holiday Line as our the rest of the holidays that we regularly and faithfully commemorate!
Tomorrow morning, December 26th, most of us weather conditions and health permitting, will likely be attending Church, being a part of a class or religious/ spiritual education and instruction and attending a worship service and listening to a sermon. The Pastor will likely remind us of what we did yesterday- Christmas Day. He/ She is about 94.2 % likely to speak about the value and critical value of this time of the year and ask us to reflect upon why this time of the year matters to each of us! We may then be asked to consider as to how we can take what we now feel and think RIGHT NOW and carry it with us to make each of our 2011s more bountiful, nurturing and blessed both for us and all of those we encounter and interact with.
Even for non-churchgoers, those who see Christmas- AKA - "The Holiday Season" as a fun, bountiful and uplifting freedom interlude from " normal life" note that the week between December 25th and January 1st is different in a splendid manner. Many of us do not work during this week and we seem to prize and giddily treasure recreation, pure fun and family and friends more than we do at any other time of the year save for the Summer!
To those who see Christmas proper as a week long time of sanity-restoration and refreshing R and R, Good for them they value this time of the year for EXACTLY how they view it to be - No more and no less!
Yet, There are those who will be celebrating, or so we CLAIM, an event of COSMIC and still present and Future Majesty, The Birth of The Messiah, The Son of Gos in THE Flesh, The Old Testament foretold Savior of All of Mankind. The one was crucified, buried, resurrected who lives forever more! There are people who truly live each day in a way that demonstrates to anyone who TRULY knows him or her that they believe this to be absolute and 100% undeniable truth. These are people so thoroughly convinced that this belief is stone-cold fact that they would be willing to sacrifice their lives to proclaim it if necessary!
Then, There are others who will say they believe all of the above to be true- but they say the words for what they gain from it- friends, a social community, being thought of as " a good person"! Some of them say that Jesus is alive Today and is all that "people at their church" say he is. However, It is a borrowed idea that they just are clinging to rather one they pervasively believe is so! They might think that " Jesus was a genuinely nice guy" or A " Great Spiritual leader" but the Resurrected King of Kings, " Well, There are a lot of myths, legend and tales told in many cultures and indifferent times. I guess if you really push me. Well, Dead is dead. Even if "he" didn't die on the cross, he died a long time ago of something, maybe, eventually from old age!"
In My humble opinion, If you see Christmas as the "cover story" that allows you to have fun in December and a fun-filled last week of December, Them, Celebrate that and be glad we are at this time of the year once again.However, If that is all you TRULY believe is true, if you believe that Jesus has been in a grave- dead and forever gone for a long, long time, Please be real and do not pretend that you believe anything that you know in " your heart of hearts and brain of brains" to be a fable, a myth, fiction, a nice wish or a "fairy tale"!
I believe that the Baby that was born in Bethlehem is My Savior is alive forever more and will return to Earth someday as foretold in the 66th Book of The Bible- The Book of Revelation! I do allow the nasty and savage missteps and misfortune4s of life get in the way of that but I do repent, ask for Him to renew me and strengthen me resolve to abide by the Truth that I believe and then strive to serve Him as He that he wishes me to do so! I am weak and cowardly at times, Yet, I know that My Redeemer lives! I will user this next week to celebrate and to bond with people in special ways that the This end of the year FESTIVAL seems to foster! I ,additionally, will take more time to reflect on who He is, what He has accomplished in ACTUAL History. I will also ask Him to teach me more about what He is doing now and what He wishes me to do now! I will ask for His power and anointing to allow me to be a truer and more dedicated servant!
All of us to best when we live according to what we TRULY believe. It is "ok' also to simply say , " I don't know what I believe and I really do not know what do do about Life's Deepest Questions and Issues". This next week might be a good time to research and to ask those you consider to be the most certain as to what they believe the truth is and why they choose to live as they do!
Living truthfully makes life less questionable and allows us to be true to ourselves and deal truthfully and candidly with others!
Based on what I! believe to be true, I wish EACH of you a Merry Christmas and --- oh yes and of course --- A Happy New Year!
- Johnny -
Tomorrow morning, December 26th, most of us weather conditions and health permitting, will likely be attending Church, being a part of a class or religious/ spiritual education and instruction and attending a worship service and listening to a sermon. The Pastor will likely remind us of what we did yesterday- Christmas Day. He/ She is about 94.2 % likely to speak about the value and critical value of this time of the year and ask us to reflect upon why this time of the year matters to each of us! We may then be asked to consider as to how we can take what we now feel and think RIGHT NOW and carry it with us to make each of our 2011s more bountiful, nurturing and blessed both for us and all of those we encounter and interact with.
Even for non-churchgoers, those who see Christmas- AKA - "The Holiday Season" as a fun, bountiful and uplifting freedom interlude from " normal life" note that the week between December 25th and January 1st is different in a splendid manner. Many of us do not work during this week and we seem to prize and giddily treasure recreation, pure fun and family and friends more than we do at any other time of the year save for the Summer!
To those who see Christmas proper as a week long time of sanity-restoration and refreshing R and R, Good for them they value this time of the year for EXACTLY how they view it to be - No more and no less!
Yet, There are those who will be celebrating, or so we CLAIM, an event of COSMIC and still present and Future Majesty, The Birth of The Messiah, The Son of Gos in THE Flesh, The Old Testament foretold Savior of All of Mankind. The one was crucified, buried, resurrected who lives forever more! There are people who truly live each day in a way that demonstrates to anyone who TRULY knows him or her that they believe this to be absolute and 100% undeniable truth. These are people so thoroughly convinced that this belief is stone-cold fact that they would be willing to sacrifice their lives to proclaim it if necessary!
Then, There are others who will say they believe all of the above to be true- but they say the words for what they gain from it- friends, a social community, being thought of as " a good person"! Some of them say that Jesus is alive Today and is all that "people at their church" say he is. However, It is a borrowed idea that they just are clinging to rather one they pervasively believe is so! They might think that " Jesus was a genuinely nice guy" or A " Great Spiritual leader" but the Resurrected King of Kings, " Well, There are a lot of myths, legend and tales told in many cultures and indifferent times. I guess if you really push me. Well, Dead is dead. Even if "he" didn't die on the cross, he died a long time ago of something, maybe, eventually from old age!"
In My humble opinion, If you see Christmas as the "cover story" that allows you to have fun in December and a fun-filled last week of December, Them, Celebrate that and be glad we are at this time of the year once again.However, If that is all you TRULY believe is true, if you believe that Jesus has been in a grave- dead and forever gone for a long, long time, Please be real and do not pretend that you believe anything that you know in " your heart of hearts and brain of brains" to be a fable, a myth, fiction, a nice wish or a "fairy tale"!
I believe that the Baby that was born in Bethlehem is My Savior is alive forever more and will return to Earth someday as foretold in the 66th Book of The Bible- The Book of Revelation! I do allow the nasty and savage missteps and misfortune4s of life get in the way of that but I do repent, ask for Him to renew me and strengthen me resolve to abide by the Truth that I believe and then strive to serve Him as He that he wishes me to do so! I am weak and cowardly at times, Yet, I know that My Redeemer lives! I will user this next week to celebrate and to bond with people in special ways that the This end of the year FESTIVAL seems to foster! I ,additionally, will take more time to reflect on who He is, what He has accomplished in ACTUAL History. I will also ask Him to teach me more about what He is doing now and what He wishes me to do now! I will ask for His power and anointing to allow me to be a truer and more dedicated servant!
All of us to best when we live according to what we TRULY believe. It is "ok' also to simply say , " I don't know what I believe and I really do not know what do do about Life's Deepest Questions and Issues". This next week might be a good time to research and to ask those you consider to be the most certain as to what they believe the truth is and why they choose to live as they do!
Living truthfully makes life less questionable and allows us to be true to ourselves and deal truthfully and candidly with others!
Based on what I! believe to be true, I wish EACH of you a Merry Christmas and --- oh yes and of course --- A Happy New Year!
- Johnny -
Friday, December 24, 2010
Strangers sharing the SAME DNA!
You are of them, but not at all like them! You know that their way is absolutely NOT the way to follow!In my case, This is a Mother a Father and a Sister!
Mother believed that the world had just not liked her and reveled in her misery and torment. She really seemed to have a "mad on" against anyone who would not agree with her and act to placate her! I was the" wrong child"- the one that was not worth waiting36 years to have. She never failed to,let me know either verbally and / or physically that I need to pay a price for not being good enough to be her son!
Father believed that women were only good if they were pretty and sexy. Any women not that was not worth anything! He was displeased by his son but he was not a dangerous and attractive to women son- the only kind of boy who could be worthy of being his son! He labeled me as being gay and weak and worthless of no value to anyone.
My Youngest sister- trained to believe you never let anyone win out over you ever, Ready and willing to savagely beat and joyfully injured anyone who she thought MIGHT be a threat to her. Acted out physically when crossed! Bragged that anyone who knew her would know that she was never to be challenged and defied.
My middle sister- Teresa- paid a price for all of this. She contracted viral encephalitis and meningitis at the age of 8. An illness really is not anyone's fault but my parents had savage arguments over whose side of the family set my sister up to become ill. They also delayed getting her as much medical support as they could have gotten her. They both turned this into a battle of egos and as a weapon to use against each other!
My sister would have been severely brain damaged any way - but I believe that she was allowed to become far more damaged than she needed to be. My parents took care of her as long as they live, My Mother died in 2001, My Father in early 2002! My youngest sister now cares for her. I do admire her for this but again I'm not sure I'd want to have a life in the care of a belligerent, looking- for- battle bully!
Sometime you wonder how people ever met ! Sometimes those meetings can have ghastly outcomes!
Mother believed that the world had just not liked her and reveled in her misery and torment. She really seemed to have a "mad on" against anyone who would not agree with her and act to placate her! I was the" wrong child"- the one that was not worth waiting36 years to have. She never failed to,let me know either verbally and / or physically that I need to pay a price for not being good enough to be her son!
Father believed that women were only good if they were pretty and sexy. Any women not that was not worth anything! He was displeased by his son but he was not a dangerous and attractive to women son- the only kind of boy who could be worthy of being his son! He labeled me as being gay and weak and worthless of no value to anyone.
My Youngest sister- trained to believe you never let anyone win out over you ever, Ready and willing to savagely beat and joyfully injured anyone who she thought MIGHT be a threat to her. Acted out physically when crossed! Bragged that anyone who knew her would know that she was never to be challenged and defied.
My middle sister- Teresa- paid a price for all of this. She contracted viral encephalitis and meningitis at the age of 8. An illness really is not anyone's fault but my parents had savage arguments over whose side of the family set my sister up to become ill. They also delayed getting her as much medical support as they could have gotten her. They both turned this into a battle of egos and as a weapon to use against each other!
My sister would have been severely brain damaged any way - but I believe that she was allowed to become far more damaged than she needed to be. My parents took care of her as long as they live, My Mother died in 2001, My Father in early 2002! My youngest sister now cares for her. I do admire her for this but again I'm not sure I'd want to have a life in the care of a belligerent, looking- for- battle bully!
Sometime you wonder how people ever met ! Sometimes those meetings can have ghastly outcomes!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Biblically Speaking
" It should be beauty and poetic. People should read it with a sense of awe, see it as literature that evokes and provokes grandeur!" " It needs to be effective literature that is clearly understood and hard to ignore! It is a working book written to convict, to challenge and to change lives!". These are two arguments often raised when the subject is versions of The Bible and translating, well and effectively, The Bible. Quite often, when this subject is broached, one of the Bibles being discussed is the King James Bible!
As a brief example , Here is Matthew 5: 6 as it appears in The King James Version- ' Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness sor they shall be filled". This seems to be beautiful, elegant, stately and yes, divine. One could say that it sounds a bit " other wordly" as a God should write and speak! The author of the book, " Life in the Year One", Scott Korb, restates the verse this way, "Those who hunger and thirst for justice are blessed, since they will feast! " This seems more basic and plainly spokem. It seems easier to explain , to rtead and to teach about!
I love beauty, grandeur and majesty but if you want to live and teach the Bible the more bluntly stated translations of the Bible seem to be, on an on-going basis more useful, practical and, ultimately, more likely to change lives!
- Johnny -
As a brief example , Here is Matthew 5: 6 as it appears in The King James Version- ' Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness sor they shall be filled". This seems to be beautiful, elegant, stately and yes, divine. One could say that it sounds a bit " other wordly" as a God should write and speak! The author of the book, " Life in the Year One", Scott Korb, restates the verse this way, "Those who hunger and thirst for justice are blessed, since they will feast! " This seems more basic and plainly spokem. It seems easier to explain , to rtead and to teach about!
I love beauty, grandeur and majesty but if you want to live and teach the Bible the more bluntly stated translations of the Bible seem to be, on an on-going basis more useful, practical and, ultimately, more likely to change lives!
- Johnny -
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
What sane person would insist on this?
What sane person would insist on fighting this battle? Can you imagine feeling pleased and victorious because someone tells you that your worst behaviors,your unacceptable attitudes and most offensive habits are fine . whole acceptable, "ALL GOOD" and worthy of defending and supporting?
I think most people who are thinking clearly and logically might ask, " Would you choose to ever behave,engage in the same habits and use the same vocabulary that I routinely use?" If that person says, " Well, No I wouldn't but that is just how I am! It works for you but I would prefer to not live this way." " Why not? If you think it is great for me to be this way and you honor me for how I am, Then why isn't my way " all good" for you to roll with." " We3 are different people. I do not judge you but it just isn't me?!!!".
If the person who is told that his/her rough and hard to deal with behaviors are exactly right for them asked me to observe this whole conversation and tell them my opinion of what I see going on, I would not be very kind to the "Understanding, Accepting and Big Hearted person who was providing "support" to him or her!
I would say, bluntly, " I'd be very angry and hurt if I had been spoken to and treated as you just have been!". " Why- Sue/Edwin seem to care about me!". " I'm sorry, That is not how I saw it! You were obnoxiously and offensively told that you are just not as good as he/ she is!" I'd then say " At best, They are pitying you, They are telling you that you are far less than they are and they understand that while what you do is really unacceptable and pretty unattractive and dreadful that it is acceptable because you are not able to do any better or become any better!"
We often treat the long term unemployed, the homeless, those who seem to reek from bad or non-existent personal hygiene, the badly educate and those who act out at any time and seem willing to menace any one who challenges them for doing so as pets or as a sub-species. In Tech Talk as -Human Being MINUS 1.0!
We help no one, we, in effect, are the worst enemies imaginable when we tell people that no matter how you live, how you behave and matter what you do and what you say that you are fine exactly as you are!!! No one has the right to ever tell you any different." The idea that someone needs to improve, behaves unacceptably, needs to improve the way they speak and the words they choose to say are all based on a simple but incredibly noble idea- that this person is capable of progressing beyond what they are capable of right now. They can be better educated, they can be shown ways that work better and will make it easier and more likely that they will become more respected and taken more seriously. They tell them anything else is simply evil, heartless and a true and pure act inspired by prejudice and bigotry!
I didn't like being told this years ago but I needed to hear, " Johnny, You are a mess. You drive people away and really offend them by the way you dress, the way you maintain yourself and by the attitudes that you show. You are a great guy at times but if you keep acting the way you do and living as you live, You are going to live a very lonely, miserable and unhappy life!" I hated it, at the time. It angered me and led me to attempt to offend them in turn, "Good and caring people - True Friends -would never talk to me in this manner !". I thank God today that they didn't buy into it, that they considered the source- at THAT TIME- I truly cringe at just how much of a mess I TRULY was then- and loved me ENOUGH to see what my potential was and dared me to allow myself to become what they saw I could turn into in my future!
There is an old saying,"God loves you exactly as you are but He loves you far too much to want you top stay that way!". The Bigotry of FAR TOO Low and Soft expectations is an act of callous dismissal and indifference not an act of love!
- Johnny -
I think most people who are thinking clearly and logically might ask, " Would you choose to ever behave,engage in the same habits and use the same vocabulary that I routinely use?" If that person says, " Well, No I wouldn't but that is just how I am! It works for you but I would prefer to not live this way." " Why not? If you think it is great for me to be this way and you honor me for how I am, Then why isn't my way " all good" for you to roll with." " We3 are different people. I do not judge you but it just isn't me?!!!".
If the person who is told that his/her rough and hard to deal with behaviors are exactly right for them asked me to observe this whole conversation and tell them my opinion of what I see going on, I would not be very kind to the "Understanding, Accepting and Big Hearted person who was providing "support" to him or her!
I would say, bluntly, " I'd be very angry and hurt if I had been spoken to and treated as you just have been!". " Why- Sue/Edwin seem to care about me!". " I'm sorry, That is not how I saw it! You were obnoxiously and offensively told that you are just not as good as he/ she is!" I'd then say " At best, They are pitying you, They are telling you that you are far less than they are and they understand that while what you do is really unacceptable and pretty unattractive and dreadful that it is acceptable because you are not able to do any better or become any better!"
We often treat the long term unemployed, the homeless, those who seem to reek from bad or non-existent personal hygiene, the badly educate and those who act out at any time and seem willing to menace any one who challenges them for doing so as pets or as a sub-species. In Tech Talk as -Human Being MINUS 1.0!
We help no one, we, in effect, are the worst enemies imaginable when we tell people that no matter how you live, how you behave and matter what you do and what you say that you are fine exactly as you are!!! No one has the right to ever tell you any different." The idea that someone needs to improve, behaves unacceptably, needs to improve the way they speak and the words they choose to say are all based on a simple but incredibly noble idea- that this person is capable of progressing beyond what they are capable of right now. They can be better educated, they can be shown ways that work better and will make it easier and more likely that they will become more respected and taken more seriously. They tell them anything else is simply evil, heartless and a true and pure act inspired by prejudice and bigotry!
I didn't like being told this years ago but I needed to hear, " Johnny, You are a mess. You drive people away and really offend them by the way you dress, the way you maintain yourself and by the attitudes that you show. You are a great guy at times but if you keep acting the way you do and living as you live, You are going to live a very lonely, miserable and unhappy life!" I hated it, at the time. It angered me and led me to attempt to offend them in turn, "Good and caring people - True Friends -would never talk to me in this manner !". I thank God today that they didn't buy into it, that they considered the source- at THAT TIME- I truly cringe at just how much of a mess I TRULY was then- and loved me ENOUGH to see what my potential was and dared me to allow myself to become what they saw I could turn into in my future!
There is an old saying,"God loves you exactly as you are but He loves you far too much to want you top stay that way!". The Bigotry of FAR TOO Low and Soft expectations is an act of callous dismissal and indifference not an act of love!
- Johnny -
My Label IS!!!! ME!
Would anyone name a new born boy or girl - "Poor", "Gay" " Lesbian" or "Disabled"? Do these names appear in any books sold that consist of 100's of pages of baby names! I think that all people of thought and wisdom can agree that the above are adjectives rather than nouns- they are indeed descriptors! Thus, They are NOT!!! likely to be employed as names.
Yet, For many of Our fellow Americans their label is absolutely them- it IS who they are. It also appears that they wish to not alt all be considered individuals- in a way that is difficult to fathom anyone else bearing that same exact label seems to, in truth,also be him or her.In a society thay seems to abhor the whole concept of profiling- choosing a label as your identity is, in effect,turbo -profiling!
It might be best for any of us to consider situations and circumstances around us as subject to change if change is indeed possible and, perhaps, desirable! I also like to say about a label- " This might be a partial description of me- It details an aspect of my identity! However, I'm a complicated person and this aspect of me is NOT, by any means all that is true ABOUT me!"
The Army used to challenge us with the concept of " Being ALL that we can be!". Too often, sadly and foolishly in my opinion, A number of Americans choose to " Let a label tell their ENTIRE story!"
- Johnny -
Yet, For many of Our fellow Americans their label is absolutely them- it IS who they are. It also appears that they wish to not alt all be considered individuals- in a way that is difficult to fathom anyone else bearing that same exact label seems to, in truth,also be him or her.In a society thay seems to abhor the whole concept of profiling- choosing a label as your identity is, in effect,turbo -profiling!
It might be best for any of us to consider situations and circumstances around us as subject to change if change is indeed possible and, perhaps, desirable! I also like to say about a label- " This might be a partial description of me- It details an aspect of my identity! However, I'm a complicated person and this aspect of me is NOT, by any means all that is true ABOUT me!"
The Army used to challenge us with the concept of " Being ALL that we can be!". Too often, sadly and foolishly in my opinion, A number of Americans choose to " Let a label tell their ENTIRE story!"
- Johnny -
Monday, December 20, 2010
A Self- Inflicted Business Wound!
" If you don't like shopping here, Go somewhere else!", " No one is forcing you to use our services, If they displease you, You are free not to use them!" When your business is struggling to survive or when the public service you are offering is drowning in red-ink, Doesn't being customer- friendly and making those who are inclined to select your service pleased that they decided to do so!?
I bought a movie at Best Buy earlier today- I do largely regret having done so. After paying for the item, I was required to show my receipt to an attendant before leaving the store. I thought that having an item scanned the took it out of inventory and having a receipt proved that you own it. The store also has scanners that keep you from removing an unpaid for/ stolen item from the store. Having to submit a receipt and have a clerk inspect that piece of paper before being " cleared" to leave Best Buy really frosted me. I do not like to have spending my money be turned into unpleasant experience when I'm buying something enjoyable.
It was once the shopping experience of people at high-end stores that people were pleased by giving the enterprise their business. That people actually smile at the thought of patronizing that business. It seems that a store that allows a customer to be as unencumbered and put upon as possible will do better business than a store that seems obtrusive, controlling and heavy handed.
A Business may not need Federal Bailouts and special tax incentives if they decide that " We shall not rest until we do all we can to please and delight those who patronize our establishment!" Last month's anger over searches at airports may have been less outraged if the passengers on those airlines were pleased with how they are being served ONCE they boarded their airplanes!
- Johnny-
I bought a movie at Best Buy earlier today- I do largely regret having done so. After paying for the item, I was required to show my receipt to an attendant before leaving the store. I thought that having an item scanned the took it out of inventory and having a receipt proved that you own it. The store also has scanners that keep you from removing an unpaid for/ stolen item from the store. Having to submit a receipt and have a clerk inspect that piece of paper before being " cleared" to leave Best Buy really frosted me. I do not like to have spending my money be turned into unpleasant experience when I'm buying something enjoyable.
It was once the shopping experience of people at high-end stores that people were pleased by giving the enterprise their business. That people actually smile at the thought of patronizing that business. It seems that a store that allows a customer to be as unencumbered and put upon as possible will do better business than a store that seems obtrusive, controlling and heavy handed.
A Business may not need Federal Bailouts and special tax incentives if they decide that " We shall not rest until we do all we can to please and delight those who patronize our establishment!" Last month's anger over searches at airports may have been less outraged if the passengers on those airlines were pleased with how they are being served ONCE they boarded their airplanes!
- Johnny-
Are we ADDICTED to constant change?
Yes, We know the right words, "Change is a constant", "Change is inevitable", "We all need to live in Today". Yet, Do we tend to go overboard and be unnecessarily comprehensive when it comes to advocating for and establishing change?
I think there is a tendency to blend sensitivity and change in a way that makes change overbearing and onerous! In order to avoid creating a difficult situation, We impose change upon people, places, things and circumstance that are under no pressure or obligation to change, We apply policies that can reasonably be imposed on a small group of people or an individual. We see this where we have a problem where one man or woman , boy or girl and rather than holding them accountable for a rule violation, we too often respond treat everyone as a rule breaker and impose a solution upon everyone. This is unreasonable and exorbitant.
One of the dominant political and social groups in Our United States is Conservatism. The Root word present here and the power source of this movement is the theme word "conserve".This means to keep as it is- to maintain. Conservatives are dedicated to maintaining what has proven to work well for all over time.As long as what is being done is practical, legal and ethical it needs to be maintained. This idea does not argue against genuine and true progress and innovation. It does ask that such ideas be shown to be workable, as non-disruptive as possible and to be of benefit. The ideal conservative wishes to truly blend the BEST of the new and the tried and logically and undeniably true.
No sane person wants to deny that change is a reality of life! We all do and must change. Yet, Does every change need to be buffeted by a showy act of societal "macro -evolution" as a matter of course ? Sometimes, You simply need to ask individuals to accept that the change of the moment IS about them and that, while you are willing to assist him or her, tell them that this change is about them and that HE or SHE is the one who needs to adjust.
Not everyone needs to be confused and thrown into a wave of pervasive turmoil just because that is occurring to an individual or a group of individuals!
- Johnny -
I think there is a tendency to blend sensitivity and change in a way that makes change overbearing and onerous! In order to avoid creating a difficult situation, We impose change upon people, places, things and circumstance that are under no pressure or obligation to change, We apply policies that can reasonably be imposed on a small group of people or an individual. We see this where we have a problem where one man or woman , boy or girl and rather than holding them accountable for a rule violation, we too often respond treat everyone as a rule breaker and impose a solution upon everyone. This is unreasonable and exorbitant.
One of the dominant political and social groups in Our United States is Conservatism. The Root word present here and the power source of this movement is the theme word "conserve".This means to keep as it is- to maintain. Conservatives are dedicated to maintaining what has proven to work well for all over time.As long as what is being done is practical, legal and ethical it needs to be maintained. This idea does not argue against genuine and true progress and innovation. It does ask that such ideas be shown to be workable, as non-disruptive as possible and to be of benefit. The ideal conservative wishes to truly blend the BEST of the new and the tried and logically and undeniably true.
No sane person wants to deny that change is a reality of life! We all do and must change. Yet, Does every change need to be buffeted by a showy act of societal "macro -evolution" as a matter of course ? Sometimes, You simply need to ask individuals to accept that the change of the moment IS about them and that, while you are willing to assist him or her, tell them that this change is about them and that HE or SHE is the one who needs to adjust.
Not everyone needs to be confused and thrown into a wave of pervasive turmoil just because that is occurring to an individual or a group of individuals!
- Johnny -
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Revenge !? for the OFFENSES of their parents!?
What they did was wrong- their actions were clear wrong and defiantly obnoxious- so now let's make sure that their children are punished for the offenses of their mothers and fathers! Is this what we do when we deny the children of illegal immigrants a chance to become US Citizens?
It can be argued that children are not responsible for the actions of their parents especially when those children are minors!Yet, Should children benefit from their parents violations of the law?
Is moving towards providing benefits including a path to citizenship to children brought into the US illegally an act of kindness or foolishness?
- Johnny -
It can be argued that children are not responsible for the actions of their parents especially when those children are minors!Yet, Should children benefit from their parents violations of the law?
Is moving towards providing benefits including a path to citizenship to children brought into the US illegally an act of kindness or foolishness?
- Johnny -
The Fighting Spirit
People can actually really themselves. I am learning, slowly but surely that the people who come from the depths to the heights are those who are both willing to be fighters and cheerleaders at the very same time!
To rally yourself from depression, defeat and despair, you must arrive at ca belief that better ideas, better hopes, better dreams and better possibilities exist. Then, You need to believe that it is indeed realistic to believe that you can achieve them! Then, You must see yourself taking action. You then need to begin the efforts that will get you there. It is silly to think that it will not be hard to reach your goal/goals but it is empowering to say that whatever the price is- that you are willing and able to fight that war!
This is something that no one else can give to you or provide for you! Even God, who can do anything - often- after all there ARE MIRACLES- chooses to partner progress and growing stronger and more able with us. He seems to honor our active willingness and- in due time- crown it with success!
God, I've grown a lot this last year and especially in the last few months! Please continue to sustain me as I strive to improve my life!
To rally yourself from depression, defeat and despair, you must arrive at ca belief that better ideas, better hopes, better dreams and better possibilities exist. Then, You need to believe that it is indeed realistic to believe that you can achieve them! Then, You must see yourself taking action. You then need to begin the efforts that will get you there. It is silly to think that it will not be hard to reach your goal/goals but it is empowering to say that whatever the price is- that you are willing and able to fight that war!
This is something that no one else can give to you or provide for you! Even God, who can do anything - often- after all there ARE MIRACLES- chooses to partner progress and growing stronger and more able with us. He seems to honor our active willingness and- in due time- crown it with success!
God, I've grown a lot this last year and especially in the last few months! Please continue to sustain me as I strive to improve my life!
It is a Mc Donald's!!!!! after all!!!!
Patience is a virtue. It is good to be consistent in all situations. Yet, How patient and understanding should you be with UNDERWHELMING and spotty service?
I have become accustomed to having someone come back to get the order corrected or to have something added to the order just before I am served! I also note that it seems that some employee needs to get a tutorial just before I'm attended to. The other day it seemed I had to wait while someone simply someone engaged the person taking my order in conversation.
Today, It was someone not knowing how to place a bladder of milk into a machine properly.I've come close to screaming, " I am the customer, Take my order now. Those other people WILL need to wait until after I've been served!!!" I didn't say that or anything like that. I actually lied and said " Thank You" when thanking that person or being saying that I am thankful for any "service?" that I get at THAT Mc Donald's is a total lie!!!!!!
You do no one any benefit when you hire workers who are not able or willing to learn or improve! You cannot expect your customers to be infinitely patient, kind, forbearing and understanding. I really do not want to finance any business that shows indifference to me as a customer!
So, When do you say, " The break I need is to be served in a way that pleases me!" ????
I have become accustomed to having someone come back to get the order corrected or to have something added to the order just before I am served! I also note that it seems that some employee needs to get a tutorial just before I'm attended to. The other day it seemed I had to wait while someone simply someone engaged the person taking my order in conversation.
Today, It was someone not knowing how to place a bladder of milk into a machine properly.I've come close to screaming, " I am the customer, Take my order now. Those other people WILL need to wait until after I've been served!!!" I didn't say that or anything like that. I actually lied and said " Thank You" when thanking that person or being saying that I am thankful for any "service?" that I get at THAT Mc Donald's is a total lie!!!!!!
You do no one any benefit when you hire workers who are not able or willing to learn or improve! You cannot expect your customers to be infinitely patient, kind, forbearing and understanding. I really do not want to finance any business that shows indifference to me as a customer!
So, When do you say, " The break I need is to be served in a way that pleases me!" ????
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Most of us would RATHER be like Albert the soon -to- be FORMER Redskin!
" I wanna be like Mike". I want to wear the sneakers he wears. I want to be as smooth and as other worldly superb as he is on the Court! How much money did the SWOOSH Company make by coming up with that
slogan? Michael and some movie about a Baby rocketed from some other Galaxy made you believe that a man can fly.
Yet, Realistically, Most of us would rather be Mister Haynesworth. Seen as the most important, most talented and THE ONE we need to make things operate at the VERY best. We want people to say, " Are you happy?", Knowing that if we say " no", people will spring into action to do what they can to please and delight us. The thought of the rules NOT being applied to us is a thought that can charm many of us!
Yet, It seems that Mister Haynesworth has finally caused the Redskins to cry out, " We will allow no more!" Whining about how he has been used as a player, not playing for long stretches of the game and being very!!!! slow to recover from minor injuries helped Mr. Haynesworth to become consistently less desirable.
Albert Haynesworth is indeed a very gifted athlete, and when he plays with passion and commitment, as he seemed to play while a member of The Tennessee Titans is someone who seems to be hard not to want to watch and cheer for.Yet, A " You must run the team to my benefit" attitude eventually caused Albert to be less and less celebrated over the last 2 seasons.The best players are not those who play well or not depending upon the mood they are in at that moment.
So, Albert is no suspended from the Redskins and he has, no doubt, damaged how other teams may view him - times who might consider obtaining him from the Redskins. A teammate who won't be a part of the team and does not care about the well being of a team is not likely to be wanted as a part of that team after awhile! It can feel great to be catered to, spoiled and seen as "THE SPECIAL" one for a short period of time! However, Being part of the team and being willing to contribute to allowing everyone to improve, advance and gain is a better way to be in the long run!
- Johnny -
slogan? Michael and some movie about a Baby rocketed from some other Galaxy made you believe that a man can fly.
Yet, Realistically, Most of us would rather be Mister Haynesworth. Seen as the most important, most talented and THE ONE we need to make things operate at the VERY best. We want people to say, " Are you happy?", Knowing that if we say " no", people will spring into action to do what they can to please and delight us. The thought of the rules NOT being applied to us is a thought that can charm many of us!
Yet, It seems that Mister Haynesworth has finally caused the Redskins to cry out, " We will allow no more!" Whining about how he has been used as a player, not playing for long stretches of the game and being very!!!! slow to recover from minor injuries helped Mr. Haynesworth to become consistently less desirable.
Albert Haynesworth is indeed a very gifted athlete, and when he plays with passion and commitment, as he seemed to play while a member of The Tennessee Titans is someone who seems to be hard not to want to watch and cheer for.Yet, A " You must run the team to my benefit" attitude eventually caused Albert to be less and less celebrated over the last 2 seasons.The best players are not those who play well or not depending upon the mood they are in at that moment.
So, Albert is no suspended from the Redskins and he has, no doubt, damaged how other teams may view him - times who might consider obtaining him from the Redskins. A teammate who won't be a part of the team and does not care about the well being of a team is not likely to be wanted as a part of that team after awhile! It can feel great to be catered to, spoiled and seen as "THE SPECIAL" one for a short period of time! However, Being part of the team and being willing to contribute to allowing everyone to improve, advance and gain is a better way to be in the long run!
- Johnny -
Monday, December 13, 2010
A Life Rehersal Exercise
" You WILL reach in, you will get what you get and you WILL be expected to make the most of it!". Most of us will agree that this is simply reality. To use a phrase that often appears here, " Life on Life's Terms!" Yet, If we all took sodium pentathol, We'd likely admit, " I have no problem , fundamentally with YOUR life being as described above. However, Where can I go to secure a waver to GUARANTEE that my life NEVER has to be that way!"
Funny, Yes! However, I will readily admit that I'd grab such a waver EAGERLY and greedily should it ever be offered to me. I'd also tear up and hold it close to my heart for a long time! After all, That would be a virtual" Get out of any undesirable situations and keep all difficult -to cope with people away from me!!!!" card!
So, How do you buck yourself up for the toughest days that you need to endure? What keeps you pleasant when you want to say " I don't like you and I want you to begone!" I'm slowly learning that I want to be treated fairly and given the benefit of the doubt. Even if you do not like me, You have no reason to treat me poorly and seek to do me harm. Thus, I should be able to act in a similiar fashion in dealing with those I 'd be highly pleased to have nothing to do with!
- Johnny-
Funny, Yes! However, I will readily admit that I'd grab such a waver EAGERLY and greedily should it ever be offered to me. I'd also tear up and hold it close to my heart for a long time! After all, That would be a virtual" Get out of any undesirable situations and keep all difficult -to cope with people away from me!!!!" card!
So, How do you buck yourself up for the toughest days that you need to endure? What keeps you pleasant when you want to say " I don't like you and I want you to begone!" I'm slowly learning that I want to be treated fairly and given the benefit of the doubt. Even if you do not like me, You have no reason to treat me poorly and seek to do me harm. Thus, I should be able to act in a similiar fashion in dealing with those I 'd be highly pleased to have nothing to do with!
- Johnny-
Taxation - Should it be providing or equalizing?
Taxation - We all pay taxes. What should they be used for?
Some will argue that the Government has an obligation to provide for necessary services that we all need to operate, connect and simply exist properly as a society. Others will argue that it is wrong for their to be a wide disparity of incomes. That those who have very, very little must be given more. That those who have tremendous resources must have those resources reduced in order to make our society " kinder and more decent".
One additional consideration often thrown in is the "truly poor" those who are there due to illness or overwhelming circumstances that were imposed upon them, This is as opposed to those who have made bad choices and are now paying the price for doing so. This is often said to be the "Every Action has consequences" theory.
I do believe as I've stated before that dealing with individuals and considering their lives is the best way to respond to individual need!
- Johnny -
Some will argue that the Government has an obligation to provide for necessary services that we all need to operate, connect and simply exist properly as a society. Others will argue that it is wrong for their to be a wide disparity of incomes. That those who have very, very little must be given more. That those who have tremendous resources must have those resources reduced in order to make our society " kinder and more decent".
One additional consideration often thrown in is the "truly poor" those who are there due to illness or overwhelming circumstances that were imposed upon them, This is as opposed to those who have made bad choices and are now paying the price for doing so. This is often said to be the "Every Action has consequences" theory.
I do believe as I've stated before that dealing with individuals and considering their lives is the best way to respond to individual need!
- Johnny -
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Words from merely wonderful times past?
Are those just words from documents that are hundreds of years old or things we say to superficially inspire young people at special ceremonies? We all know that we all roll our eyes when we hear pretty words spoken skillfully that we are convinced have little to zero substance tied to them. We are aware that adults will offer the unexpected accustomed polite and surface when they read commentary and hear speeches that come across this way! What they will say in e-mails, telephone calls and face to face conversation is likely to express their true feelings- dismissal and scorn likely-of what they have heard and read.
People tend to be impressed by substance and hard-won and earned experience, " What do you have that gives muscle and validity" to what you are saying! What are you TELLING me that gives me any reason to take you seriously or regard you as credible! We also know, if anything, this is even more true of young people.
As I try to convince myself to begin writing a book, I ask myself- Does my life have enough substance? Have I done things that will motivate others? Or , Would it be just a waste of electricity to try? God, Please help me to sort things out!
- Johnny -
People tend to be impressed by substance and hard-won and earned experience, " What do you have that gives muscle and validity" to what you are saying! What are you TELLING me that gives me any reason to take you seriously or regard you as credible! We also know, if anything, this is even more true of young people.
As I try to convince myself to begin writing a book, I ask myself- Does my life have enough substance? Have I done things that will motivate others? Or , Would it be just a waste of electricity to try? God, Please help me to sort things out!
- Johnny -
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Enough of the Uncaring and the Gross!
Yuck! There are times when you stop trying to explain and being empathetic and compassionate! There are certain things that people know Not to do no matter where they were raised- behaviors that are not permissible or acceptable no matter how wealthy or poor you are, no matter how well or poorly educated you are. No one can really say - and be taken seriously if they say so- that they do NOT know how to properly and hygienically use a toilet.
McLean, Virginia is a very prosperous , well-educated and upscale communities. It qualifies as being one of the poshest communities in the entire US. The Tysons Corner Shopping Center is one of the 10 largest size-wise and dollar -wise shopping centers in the Nation. There is no reason why anyone using one of the commodes should encounter a commode seat saturated with urine.This is typical of the way many public facilities are handled in the US-" It isn't mine- I don't have to use it well qand properly. It is perfectly find for me to leave an unsanitary, unseemly and unhealthy mess for the next person who uses these facilities"
I know that people will take umbrage at this but I think it is time to fight back! I'm sure that a sensor can be triggered that will detect either urine or feces left on a seat, on a wall or on the floor. Such a sensor will trigger a camera that will capture a facial image of the offender. Perhaps the image of such vile people can be sent to the security staff and to the managers of the various establishments in such a mall.
The business, as they are on private property, could refuse to allow such a person entry into their establishments. The Mall itself, upon repeated offenses could ban such a person from entering their mall and subject them to arrest should they enter the mall- I believe trespassing would apply in such a situation.
Standards do matter! The people who callously disregard the health, safety and decency of others need to learn that their are limits and that "ENOUGH!" is a full and complete sentence.
- Johnny -
McLean, Virginia is a very prosperous , well-educated and upscale communities. It qualifies as being one of the poshest communities in the entire US. The Tysons Corner Shopping Center is one of the 10 largest size-wise and dollar -wise shopping centers in the Nation. There is no reason why anyone using one of the commodes should encounter a commode seat saturated with urine.This is typical of the way many public facilities are handled in the US-" It isn't mine- I don't have to use it well qand properly. It is perfectly find for me to leave an unsanitary, unseemly and unhealthy mess for the next person who uses these facilities"
I know that people will take umbrage at this but I think it is time to fight back! I'm sure that a sensor can be triggered that will detect either urine or feces left on a seat, on a wall or on the floor. Such a sensor will trigger a camera that will capture a facial image of the offender. Perhaps the image of such vile people can be sent to the security staff and to the managers of the various establishments in such a mall.
The business, as they are on private property, could refuse to allow such a person entry into their establishments. The Mall itself, upon repeated offenses could ban such a person from entering their mall and subject them to arrest should they enter the mall- I believe trespassing would apply in such a situation.
Standards do matter! The people who callously disregard the health, safety and decency of others need to learn that their are limits and that "ENOUGH!" is a full and complete sentence.
- Johnny -
Illegal Immigration - Foolish Absurdities Versus True Issues
In 1992, The City of Falls Church , Virginia worked hard to prevent the opening of a Taco Bell Restaurant within its' boundaries! The stated reason for opposing the opening of this eatery- It was not considered , by the community doyens, to be a compatible fit with the community. This was, on the surface, absurd and nonsensical. It is just a bizarre statement- one that seems to say a restaurant with an Americanized Hispanic tone would somehow make Falls Church a lesser place.
I think of this when I hear the nonthinkers among us argue against the presence of Illegal Aliens in The US. Some will say that they are all Hispanics. This simply is not true. While most of The Illegal Aliens in the US were born in the 5 Republics of Central America or on a Caribbean island, There are people who are in The US illegally who do not speak one word of Spanish. It is also incorrect to think that all of those not present in The US are Mexicans.I type this because I do roll my eyes when I hear a nonthinker say, " Let's send them all
back to Mexico"! If you are that misinformed, You would do well to NOT to express an opinion.
People will also loudly and not very civilly protest the fact of having to listen to Spanish being spoken around them or that Hispanics do not behave as American and seem to insist on living differently than "the rest of us!" Again, that is a "You may not like it but there is no law or code against it" type of situation, You do not have to fit into American Culture in order to live in or be a citizen of this nation. No one in this Nation is legally required to speak English.
What can be correctly argued is that no one has an inherent right to violate The laws of The United States! Being illegal present in the United states is criminal behavior. It can be argued that being involved in supporting illegal aliens is also as criminal act. I know that people will righteously intone, " There are millions of such people already in this nation! The US is simply not going to locate , uproot and deport millions of people." The corollary is- Therefore we must provide needed services to them and we must help them to find a place within our society.
I will concede that mass deportations are a practical non-starter- it simply AIN'T going to occur! However, People are in a rather strong position to say, " This should NEVER have been allowed to transpire and we need to take action against those who permitted it to occur." This leads to people insisting that action be taken now to stop further illegal immigration. It is realistic to say that while The Obama Administration has reduced the flow of illegal immigration and has somewhat strengthened the patrolling of our borders, it is unlikely that our Government will take any actions that will bring illegal immigration to a halt. Those who strongly want MORE done about illegal immigration demand that any efforts need be made as tough and as stringent as is humanly possible.
Many of those who are majorly antagonized by illegal immigration often state the collateral problems. The violation of zoning laws as seen by people parking on lawns and far too many people living in a private house.Also, The improper disposal of litter also raises the ire of neighbors.These practices do cause damage to property values and also depress the ability of people to sell their homes at desirable prices!
Some see it as wrong for illegal aliens to be eligible to receive tax payer funded benefits. They also object to money, in these harsh financial time being spent on literature and websites written in the language spoken by peoples in this nation without official presentation. This is, in effect a protest position- " I MAY not be able to order to leave the US but I am under no obligation to make it easier for you to be here!"
I believe that Governments have a solemn obligation to provide as best as they possibly can for their own citizens WITHIN the borders of their OWN nation! There is something, in my opinion, immoral and unseemly, about a Government encouraging citizens to leave their own nation to live and work in another country. Especially when they are told that it is NOT a problem to violate the laws of another SOVEREIGN nation as they do so! It is also unctuous and vile to urge that these "dispatched citizens" enrich their country by sending back the wages that they earn from working this country that they have, in effect, invaded! It is , of course, often true that they are committing a crime as illegal immigrants have no documentation that permits them to work in our United States of America.
We Americans see no problem with using our resources to the benefit of our citizens- other nations seem to think that they have no obligation to do so! Americans of all income and status levels pay taxes to provided benefits to our own neediest and most impoverished citizens, other countries allow their wealthiest citizens a pass!
So, It is really not customs, or language or not acting like" the rest of us" that really fire up those thoughtful people who are greatly disturbed by the problems engendered by the presence of illegal aliens in our midst! Those people really see criminal behavior and the further support and sanctioning of illegal activity as the problem!
- Johnny -
I think of this when I hear the nonthinkers among us argue against the presence of Illegal Aliens in The US. Some will say that they are all Hispanics. This simply is not true. While most of The Illegal Aliens in the US were born in the 5 Republics of Central America or on a Caribbean island, There are people who are in The US illegally who do not speak one word of Spanish. It is also incorrect to think that all of those not present in The US are Mexicans.I type this because I do roll my eyes when I hear a nonthinker say, " Let's send them all
back to Mexico"! If you are that misinformed, You would do well to NOT to express an opinion.
People will also loudly and not very civilly protest the fact of having to listen to Spanish being spoken around them or that Hispanics do not behave as American and seem to insist on living differently than "the rest of us!" Again, that is a "You may not like it but there is no law or code against it" type of situation, You do not have to fit into American Culture in order to live in or be a citizen of this nation. No one in this Nation is legally required to speak English.
What can be correctly argued is that no one has an inherent right to violate The laws of The United States! Being illegal present in the United states is criminal behavior. It can be argued that being involved in supporting illegal aliens is also as criminal act. I know that people will righteously intone, " There are millions of such people already in this nation! The US is simply not going to locate , uproot and deport millions of people." The corollary is- Therefore we must provide needed services to them and we must help them to find a place within our society.
I will concede that mass deportations are a practical non-starter- it simply AIN'T going to occur! However, People are in a rather strong position to say, " This should NEVER have been allowed to transpire and we need to take action against those who permitted it to occur." This leads to people insisting that action be taken now to stop further illegal immigration. It is realistic to say that while The Obama Administration has reduced the flow of illegal immigration and has somewhat strengthened the patrolling of our borders, it is unlikely that our Government will take any actions that will bring illegal immigration to a halt. Those who strongly want MORE done about illegal immigration demand that any efforts need be made as tough and as stringent as is humanly possible.
Many of those who are majorly antagonized by illegal immigration often state the collateral problems. The violation of zoning laws as seen by people parking on lawns and far too many people living in a private house.Also, The improper disposal of litter also raises the ire of neighbors.These practices do cause damage to property values and also depress the ability of people to sell their homes at desirable prices!
Some see it as wrong for illegal aliens to be eligible to receive tax payer funded benefits. They also object to money, in these harsh financial time being spent on literature and websites written in the language spoken by peoples in this nation without official presentation. This is, in effect a protest position- " I MAY not be able to order to leave the US but I am under no obligation to make it easier for you to be here!"
I believe that Governments have a solemn obligation to provide as best as they possibly can for their own citizens WITHIN the borders of their OWN nation! There is something, in my opinion, immoral and unseemly, about a Government encouraging citizens to leave their own nation to live and work in another country. Especially when they are told that it is NOT a problem to violate the laws of another SOVEREIGN nation as they do so! It is also unctuous and vile to urge that these "dispatched citizens" enrich their country by sending back the wages that they earn from working this country that they have, in effect, invaded! It is , of course, often true that they are committing a crime as illegal immigrants have no documentation that permits them to work in our United States of America.
We Americans see no problem with using our resources to the benefit of our citizens- other nations seem to think that they have no obligation to do so! Americans of all income and status levels pay taxes to provided benefits to our own neediest and most impoverished citizens, other countries allow their wealthiest citizens a pass!
So, It is really not customs, or language or not acting like" the rest of us" that really fire up those thoughtful people who are greatly disturbed by the problems engendered by the presence of illegal aliens in our midst! Those people really see criminal behavior and the further support and sanctioning of illegal activity as the problem!
- Johnny -
Friday, December 10, 2010
Alternative Earth 234 - Q
In the late 1950's and through out the Early 1960's, DC Comics came out with new , improved and more powerful versions of the heroes that had been featured in their stories throughout the 1940's!
The reason for the shift are many- Dr. Fredric Wortham's Book - The Seduction of the Innocent claiming that comic books led to juvenile delinquency made many parents leery of comic books. A surge in the sales of horror comics - especially the EC Line trumped sales of the Super Heroes.
Thus The New Flash, The New Green Lantern and the Atom were trotted out and all sold very well. By 1960, DC put out a new Team book, The Justice League of America replacing the Old Justice Society of America a standout title, again, of the 1940's and Early 1950's.
In 1961, Gardner Fox, an old Science Fiction writer began to pen the adventures of the Flash. He was also an admirer of the First Generation of DC Heroes. He wrote a story, The Flashes of Two Worlds where he stated that the 40's heroes were from an Earth located in a Parallel Universe. This explained how you could have two different versions of , in effect, the SAME hero! It also permitted you to have the versions fighting side by side.
Now DC used The Earth One and Earth Two stories to make small changes in characters . As an Example, The Father of The Original Superman - Of Krypton 2 sent to Earth 2 was named Jor-L. Our Superman sent from Krypton 1 to Earth 1 is named Jor-EL!
There are times when I think and say silly and goofy things, sometimes as an effort in self-entertainment. They seem so goofy and off beat that I actually ask myself, " Where did I get that from?" Recently, I formulated an ACTUAL answer , " I took that idea from an Alternative Earth - Earth 234-Q!"
So, Now you know were SOME of my bizarreness and inanity find their origins! Do you have a parallel Earth/Universe that explains at least a portion of YOUR goofiness?
- Johnny -
The reason for the shift are many- Dr. Fredric Wortham's Book - The Seduction of the Innocent claiming that comic books led to juvenile delinquency made many parents leery of comic books. A surge in the sales of horror comics - especially the EC Line trumped sales of the Super Heroes.
Thus The New Flash, The New Green Lantern and the Atom were trotted out and all sold very well. By 1960, DC put out a new Team book, The Justice League of America replacing the Old Justice Society of America a standout title, again, of the 1940's and Early 1950's.
In 1961, Gardner Fox, an old Science Fiction writer began to pen the adventures of the Flash. He was also an admirer of the First Generation of DC Heroes. He wrote a story, The Flashes of Two Worlds where he stated that the 40's heroes were from an Earth located in a Parallel Universe. This explained how you could have two different versions of , in effect, the SAME hero! It also permitted you to have the versions fighting side by side.
Now DC used The Earth One and Earth Two stories to make small changes in characters . As an Example, The Father of The Original Superman - Of Krypton 2 sent to Earth 2 was named Jor-L. Our Superman sent from Krypton 1 to Earth 1 is named Jor-EL!
There are times when I think and say silly and goofy things, sometimes as an effort in self-entertainment. They seem so goofy and off beat that I actually ask myself, " Where did I get that from?" Recently, I formulated an ACTUAL answer , " I took that idea from an Alternative Earth - Earth 234-Q!"
So, Now you know were SOME of my bizarreness and inanity find their origins! Do you have a parallel Earth/Universe that explains at least a portion of YOUR goofiness?
- Johnny -
The Victory gained by not fighting.
A life -long baseball man looked at his sport and did not, at all, like what he saw. He knew that Baseball was not at all what it could be for far too many excellent were deemed as unacceptable to take the field.There was no actual rule that permitted this situation to exist- it was a code that allowed for this an understanding among the owners that had existed for nearly 60 years- a misnamed, most certainly , "Gentlemen's Agreement"!
By the Early 1940's, Many Baseball Owners and executives saw a benefit to ending this agreement and bringing black ballplayers into the Major Leagues. Yet, The moves seemed to be tepid and extremely timid at first. An owner would suggest that he was willing to CONSIDER having black players on his team. He would do so to test the reaction of the public. The reaction would typically be- From his own team, " I won't play with a black teammate and I will personally tell him that I do not want him as a teammate." The players from other team would weigh in - " I will NOT take the field against any team that has a Colored/ Negro players on its' roster." I know those terms are both archaic and offensive, yet those are the terms that were primarily used to describe Black people in the US in the 1940's. There was, of course, a FAR worse word/ term used but I have no intention of using that vile and insulting word here!
Beyond the world of the athletes, Fans also weighed in that they would boycott teams that had blacks on their team. The Commissioner's office and the other owners who were not committed to this concept offered only weak insinuations that they might take action against any players determined to oppose integration.
Men and women of conscience are often stirred by clear unfairness and obvious and egregious injustice. One such man was Branch Rickey. A life long baseball man his roots in the sport go back to 1905 when he debuted as a catcher for the Saint Louis Browns ( Now ,The Baltimore Orioles) and later as as a catcher for the New York Highlanders ( Now, The New York Yankees). He retired from the sport in 1907 due to an arm injury. He then went on to become a coach, manager,talent scout and team executive. He advocated elaborate training camps and more extensive and demanding Spring Trainings. He helped the Saint Louis Cardinals to develop an extensive player development system- better known as Farm Teams.The Cardinals became a dominant and feared team in the 1930's and 1940's largely due to following Rickey's strategic blueprints!
This caused Branch Rickey to become a rather revered figure in the sport. Rickey was also a Bible reading Devout Christian. During his brief playing career, Rickey refused to play on Sundays saying that he would not violate the sabbath. Rickey, it must be said, clearly co-operated with the existing system for a good number of years as he grew to greater prominence in baseball.
In 1943, Larry Mc Phail, a long time friend of Rickey's asked Branch Rickey to come to The Brooklyn Dodgers and replace him as the General Manager and President of the team. The Dodgers played very poorly in the 1930's and had bobbed to the top briefly in the early 1940's - winning the National League Championship in 1941, The team was VERY hungry for success.
Rickey's conscience had steadily bothered him more and more over the maintenance of the "Gentleman's Agreement". He came to see that it was unjustifiable and to be ended at the earliest POSSIBLE opportunity. The ending of World War 2 provided just such a circumstance.
Once the War was over , He sent out his scouts to find the best black prospect available. One that would not only be outstanding on the field but one who possessed the temperament to handle all aspects of being The First Modern Black Major League Baseball player as well. Rickey also knew he'd have to "play a game" to throw off the nay sayers. He told his scouts to tell people that Rickey was planning to start a team in the Negro Leagues.
The search soon centered upon a man who had been a three sport athlete in college. This man had an older brother who competed for The US in the 1936 Olympics , bringing home a Silver Medal. The Man was Jack Roosevelt ( Jackie) Robinson.Robinson excelled in Football, Track and Baseball at UCLA. Baseball was considered his weakest sport. He was a fiery competitor with an insatiable hunger to win and to be the best player on the field.
It was obvious to Rickey that Robinson deserved to be on a Major League Roster - talent wise- but was he, in fact- The Right Man. Rickey asked Robinson to meet with him at his office at Ebbetts Field. He spoke to Robinson about his Christian principles and the teachings of Jesus. At one point, Jackie Robinson grew frustrated by the conversation- He wanted to know what the point was. He told Rickey that he'd been raised as a Christian and knew the Bible. He also told Rickey that he knew the Dodgers' offices were not a Church!
Rickey smiled, " Ok, Jackie, The reason you are here is that I want to put a Negro Player on the Field for The Dodgers and I think you might be the one to be that player." " Mr. Rickey, I'm a good ballplayer!", Robinson retorted. " No, Mr. Robinson, You are a GREAT PLAYER but what we need to do requires more than baseball abilities."
" Jackie, There are a lot of hate-filled people out there. You might need to deal with teammates who won't play with you. There may be death threats. You will be insulted and other players may deliberately decide to injure you." " Mr, Rickey, I know how to handle fighting situations. I was in the war." " Jackie, I know you are tough- but I need a man who can turn the other cheek- not repay anger with anger. I need someone who can do what needs to be done!" " Mr. Rickey, Are you looking for a coward, someone who won't fight back!" " No Jackie, I'm looking for someone smart and tough enough to fight back the right way!"
Robinson smiled and extended his hands, " I can do that, Mister Rickey! I will do that, Mister Rickey!" Rickey shook hands with the dignified and proud young man and placed a contract in front of him. The signature that was penned upon that paper changed history! Jackie excelled as a player on The Montreal Royals, The Dodgers' Top Farm Team, in 1946.
He had a stellar spring training in March of 1947 and was placed on the Dodgers Major League Roster. A cadre of Robinson's teammates said they would not play if he was their teammate. Rickey said, "Robinson will be on the field even if he is there by himself !". One of the most outspoken players opposed to having Robinson on the team was traded for a player far less talented than himself.
The Commissioner of Baseball, Albert Chandler, made it clear that he was fully behind the cause of Jackie Robinson and threatened to ban players for lifetime who acted to sabotage this effort. The 1947 Season was a tough campaign for Jackie Robinson but he endured it. He played a vital role in helping the Dodgers to win the 1947 National League Pennant. Robinson was also selected to be the Rookie of the Year!
Branch Rickey let conviction demanded of him that he do the Right thing. Jackie Robinson was tough enough and dedicated to the principled fight of the moment to not verbally lash out or throw punches! The events of 1947 were truly a mere small step, but they were a mighty and memorable first step!
By the Early 1940's, Many Baseball Owners and executives saw a benefit to ending this agreement and bringing black ballplayers into the Major Leagues. Yet, The moves seemed to be tepid and extremely timid at first. An owner would suggest that he was willing to CONSIDER having black players on his team. He would do so to test the reaction of the public. The reaction would typically be- From his own team, " I won't play with a black teammate and I will personally tell him that I do not want him as a teammate." The players from other team would weigh in - " I will NOT take the field against any team that has a Colored/ Negro players on its' roster." I know those terms are both archaic and offensive, yet those are the terms that were primarily used to describe Black people in the US in the 1940's. There was, of course, a FAR worse word/ term used but I have no intention of using that vile and insulting word here!
Beyond the world of the athletes, Fans also weighed in that they would boycott teams that had blacks on their team. The Commissioner's office and the other owners who were not committed to this concept offered only weak insinuations that they might take action against any players determined to oppose integration.
Men and women of conscience are often stirred by clear unfairness and obvious and egregious injustice. One such man was Branch Rickey. A life long baseball man his roots in the sport go back to 1905 when he debuted as a catcher for the Saint Louis Browns ( Now ,The Baltimore Orioles) and later as as a catcher for the New York Highlanders ( Now, The New York Yankees). He retired from the sport in 1907 due to an arm injury. He then went on to become a coach, manager,talent scout and team executive. He advocated elaborate training camps and more extensive and demanding Spring Trainings. He helped the Saint Louis Cardinals to develop an extensive player development system- better known as Farm Teams.The Cardinals became a dominant and feared team in the 1930's and 1940's largely due to following Rickey's strategic blueprints!
This caused Branch Rickey to become a rather revered figure in the sport. Rickey was also a Bible reading Devout Christian. During his brief playing career, Rickey refused to play on Sundays saying that he would not violate the sabbath. Rickey, it must be said, clearly co-operated with the existing system for a good number of years as he grew to greater prominence in baseball.
In 1943, Larry Mc Phail, a long time friend of Rickey's asked Branch Rickey to come to The Brooklyn Dodgers and replace him as the General Manager and President of the team. The Dodgers played very poorly in the 1930's and had bobbed to the top briefly in the early 1940's - winning the National League Championship in 1941, The team was VERY hungry for success.
Rickey's conscience had steadily bothered him more and more over the maintenance of the "Gentleman's Agreement". He came to see that it was unjustifiable and to be ended at the earliest POSSIBLE opportunity. The ending of World War 2 provided just such a circumstance.
Once the War was over , He sent out his scouts to find the best black prospect available. One that would not only be outstanding on the field but one who possessed the temperament to handle all aspects of being The First Modern Black Major League Baseball player as well. Rickey also knew he'd have to "play a game" to throw off the nay sayers. He told his scouts to tell people that Rickey was planning to start a team in the Negro Leagues.
The search soon centered upon a man who had been a three sport athlete in college. This man had an older brother who competed for The US in the 1936 Olympics , bringing home a Silver Medal. The Man was Jack Roosevelt ( Jackie) Robinson.Robinson excelled in Football, Track and Baseball at UCLA. Baseball was considered his weakest sport. He was a fiery competitor with an insatiable hunger to win and to be the best player on the field.
It was obvious to Rickey that Robinson deserved to be on a Major League Roster - talent wise- but was he, in fact- The Right Man. Rickey asked Robinson to meet with him at his office at Ebbetts Field. He spoke to Robinson about his Christian principles and the teachings of Jesus. At one point, Jackie Robinson grew frustrated by the conversation- He wanted to know what the point was. He told Rickey that he'd been raised as a Christian and knew the Bible. He also told Rickey that he knew the Dodgers' offices were not a Church!
Rickey smiled, " Ok, Jackie, The reason you are here is that I want to put a Negro Player on the Field for The Dodgers and I think you might be the one to be that player." " Mr. Rickey, I'm a good ballplayer!", Robinson retorted. " No, Mr. Robinson, You are a GREAT PLAYER but what we need to do requires more than baseball abilities."
" Jackie, There are a lot of hate-filled people out there. You might need to deal with teammates who won't play with you. There may be death threats. You will be insulted and other players may deliberately decide to injure you." " Mr, Rickey, I know how to handle fighting situations. I was in the war." " Jackie, I know you are tough- but I need a man who can turn the other cheek- not repay anger with anger. I need someone who can do what needs to be done!" " Mr. Rickey, Are you looking for a coward, someone who won't fight back!" " No Jackie, I'm looking for someone smart and tough enough to fight back the right way!"
Robinson smiled and extended his hands, " I can do that, Mister Rickey! I will do that, Mister Rickey!" Rickey shook hands with the dignified and proud young man and placed a contract in front of him. The signature that was penned upon that paper changed history! Jackie excelled as a player on The Montreal Royals, The Dodgers' Top Farm Team, in 1946.
He had a stellar spring training in March of 1947 and was placed on the Dodgers Major League Roster. A cadre of Robinson's teammates said they would not play if he was their teammate. Rickey said, "Robinson will be on the field even if he is there by himself !". One of the most outspoken players opposed to having Robinson on the team was traded for a player far less talented than himself.
The Commissioner of Baseball, Albert Chandler, made it clear that he was fully behind the cause of Jackie Robinson and threatened to ban players for lifetime who acted to sabotage this effort. The 1947 Season was a tough campaign for Jackie Robinson but he endured it. He played a vital role in helping the Dodgers to win the 1947 National League Pennant. Robinson was also selected to be the Rookie of the Year!
Branch Rickey let conviction demanded of him that he do the Right thing. Jackie Robinson was tough enough and dedicated to the principled fight of the moment to not verbally lash out or throw punches! The events of 1947 were truly a mere small step, but they were a mighty and memorable first step!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Sorry, I'm NOT willing to be manipulated and played with.
Anyone who has spent any time in the JOHNNYVERSE knows that I spend a significant amount of time listening to talk radio programs of ALL STRIPES!
I admit I've become increasingly irked by some of the ways of my FAVORITE talk show hosts. They will tell the callers, " I don't know what that means! " or " That doesn't make any sense." or Even telling the callers to " Stop and not speak" or, in my view inexcusably worse, rudely saying, "SHHHHHHHHH!!!" to callers.
If someone is babbling incoherently or is calling a show just to stir up problems or sabotage the show, I readily see the need for the HOST to exercise tight command and control.However, If what he or she is saying makes sense and is clear and direct, then you irritate the caller and the listeners by insisting that they " Be clear or further describe in more detail what they are talking about!", This is just not treating the person on the other side of the conversation as an intelligent and capable person that you respect!
Some know that I have strong feelings on the ethics that should prevail on Forums and other publicly posted electronically- generated conversation, debate, discussion , commentary or analysis. People who are forthright, proper and express themselves well should not be targeted for abuse, belittling and bullying. Disagreeing with someone because they express emotions- as an example- or seek to be vulnerable and self-disclosive seems to be a heinously barbaric way to deal with people. As I've opined, These tactics are not a good way to win friends and influence people positively or effectively.
Thus, I think the talk show hosts who do not honor their callers are being rude and using and toying with those who make their incomes and career possible.I learned , as both a full time and a substitute teacher, that some students plan to allow as little to transpire during class as possible, They are the ones who will protest that NO instruction ever given to them is ever " simple or clear enough. They are the ones who will interrupt instructions by stating aloud a variety of nonsequitors.A teacher friend of mine refers to this behavior as "theft of instruction". For the student who militantly prevents the teacher from teaching defrauds every OTHER student in that class.
One of the greatest victories of Calendar Year 2010 has been becoming confident in knowing myself! I am able to express myself lucidly and pointedly in much greater detail. I've grown immensely as a public speaker and a writer. I'm also about 50% better as a listener than I was at Christmastime 2009. I've grown as a fundraiser and a mental health advocate. So, When someone wants to label me as a " fool, delusional or a "NO! NOTHING!", I look back on what I've said, written and posted, If it still seems reasonable to me, I've been taught to consider the source and to decide that the source truly isn't worthy of much considered based on the words and attitude.
I really see that I do not serve my self or anyone else when I respond to bullying and vituprative arguments in kind. It is best to either ignore such measures or to state that adhominem arguments are really childish and useless. If I think it is possible, I will ask that our discussion return to an intelligent, logical and precise analysis of the issue of the moment. If they can't respond civilly and maturely to that- Then the interaction needs to cease.If this is a pattern that seems to persist over time, Then, I want to not be in contact with that person at all.
Bullying and Nastiness to be nasty- No thank you! Being an aware accomplice to my own bullying- That is just so 2009!
- Johnny -
I admit I've become increasingly irked by some of the ways of my FAVORITE talk show hosts. They will tell the callers, " I don't know what that means! " or " That doesn't make any sense." or Even telling the callers to " Stop and not speak" or, in my view inexcusably worse, rudely saying, "SHHHHHHHHH!!!" to callers.
If someone is babbling incoherently or is calling a show just to stir up problems or sabotage the show, I readily see the need for the HOST to exercise tight command and control.However, If what he or she is saying makes sense and is clear and direct, then you irritate the caller and the listeners by insisting that they " Be clear or further describe in more detail what they are talking about!", This is just not treating the person on the other side of the conversation as an intelligent and capable person that you respect!
Some know that I have strong feelings on the ethics that should prevail on Forums and other publicly posted electronically- generated conversation, debate, discussion , commentary or analysis. People who are forthright, proper and express themselves well should not be targeted for abuse, belittling and bullying. Disagreeing with someone because they express emotions- as an example- or seek to be vulnerable and self-disclosive seems to be a heinously barbaric way to deal with people. As I've opined, These tactics are not a good way to win friends and influence people positively or effectively.
Thus, I think the talk show hosts who do not honor their callers are being rude and using and toying with those who make their incomes and career possible.I learned , as both a full time and a substitute teacher, that some students plan to allow as little to transpire during class as possible, They are the ones who will protest that NO instruction ever given to them is ever " simple or clear enough. They are the ones who will interrupt instructions by stating aloud a variety of nonsequitors.A teacher friend of mine refers to this behavior as "theft of instruction". For the student who militantly prevents the teacher from teaching defrauds every OTHER student in that class.
One of the greatest victories of Calendar Year 2010 has been becoming confident in knowing myself! I am able to express myself lucidly and pointedly in much greater detail. I've grown immensely as a public speaker and a writer. I'm also about 50% better as a listener than I was at Christmastime 2009. I've grown as a fundraiser and a mental health advocate. So, When someone wants to label me as a " fool, delusional or a "NO! NOTHING!", I look back on what I've said, written and posted, If it still seems reasonable to me, I've been taught to consider the source and to decide that the source truly isn't worthy of much considered based on the words and attitude.
I really see that I do not serve my self or anyone else when I respond to bullying and vituprative arguments in kind. It is best to either ignore such measures or to state that adhominem arguments are really childish and useless. If I think it is possible, I will ask that our discussion return to an intelligent, logical and precise analysis of the issue of the moment. If they can't respond civilly and maturely to that- Then the interaction needs to cease.If this is a pattern that seems to persist over time, Then, I want to not be in contact with that person at all.
Bullying and Nastiness to be nasty- No thank you! Being an aware accomplice to my own bullying- That is just so 2009!
- Johnny -
The Pittsburgh Dancer's Paradigm
27 years ago, A movie about a girl who worked in a steel making plant in Pittsburgh as a welder. She is also a dancer at a bar.The young lady's name is Alex and she has a dream to gain admission to a prestigious school of Classical Dance in the Steel City!
This young lady was played by Jennifer Beals - and a dancing double- and the dancing in the movie is charismatic and transfixing! Most people remember this movie by a 4 minute snippet of Alex dancing backed by the playing of Micheal Sembello's "Maniac".
Maniac applies to the energy and intensity that Alex applies as she pushes herself as a dancer.It also is connected to the opinions that others hold that Alex would need to be "insane"- truly a MANIAC-to believe that she can become a Top Classical Dancer.
A large part of MY personal story is that I've known since my earliest days that I am a very blessed person- markedly gifted and talented. In my earliest years, I dealt with many people who seemed to passionate believe that I needed to be freed of my "mania". I was told that I should live just like anyone else- the paradigm being , " There are Billions of people on the Earth, and you are simply ONE of them!"
Child Abuse at home and bullies in the neighborhood and at school made me seem indeed lacking in sanity for wanting a full, interesting, dynamic and abundant life. For years, I lived my life as if it was on a split-screen- I'd see the life I wanted to have and the life I lived on a day- to day basis and my "real life" seemed to be too debouched and meager to be acceptable as MY!!! life.
I made a poor decision to try to deny my childhood and to live as if it never occurred. Yet,burying it did not mean it vanished!It appeared, throughout my life as " acting out behaviors" that served me poorly and alienated me from people. I, then, fell into the myth- indeed a self-nurtured myth- that having a nervous break down, being homeless and currently living via SSI and SSDI and live in Public Provided housing means my hopes for a better life are dead!
Yet, I'm currently pushing myself harder as a Public Speaker through Toastmasters and as a writer largely through these blogs! I have friends telling me that I can be a Professional Speaker and that I ought to consider
writing a book. Do I believe that I can do these things- that is FUNDAMENTALLY within my ability- to accomplish this? Yes, I do!!!! Do I have the tenacity and temperament and resolute purpose to bring this to pass? I!!! JUST!!! DO!!! NOT!!! KNOW!!!
So, I need to look within myself and see if there is an "Alex Aspect" within my personality! I know that I will be told it is all within and about me! I'm not 100% sure that I believe this to be THE case! The brilliance of A Kobe Bryant and a LeBron James really was fueled by Nike! They both were fueled by a " I want to be like Mike! " Paradigm.
So, The Bronx and The Abuse and a Fear- Dominated Adulthood are the dark ominous-appearing clouds as I strive for the brilliant skies of the tomorrow I want. So, In these last days of 2010, I keep asking myself these questions - 1. Do I really have the ability? 2. Do I want a truly better life? 3. Am I going to be able to endure what I need to endure to get there? 4.Will what I gain provide me enough to be worthy of all of the struggle?
So, I am in need, it seems, of becoming a MANIAC!
- Johnny -
This young lady was played by Jennifer Beals - and a dancing double- and the dancing in the movie is charismatic and transfixing! Most people remember this movie by a 4 minute snippet of Alex dancing backed by the playing of Micheal Sembello's "Maniac".
Maniac applies to the energy and intensity that Alex applies as she pushes herself as a dancer.It also is connected to the opinions that others hold that Alex would need to be "insane"- truly a MANIAC-to believe that she can become a Top Classical Dancer.
A large part of MY personal story is that I've known since my earliest days that I am a very blessed person- markedly gifted and talented. In my earliest years, I dealt with many people who seemed to passionate believe that I needed to be freed of my "mania". I was told that I should live just like anyone else- the paradigm being , " There are Billions of people on the Earth, and you are simply ONE of them!"
Child Abuse at home and bullies in the neighborhood and at school made me seem indeed lacking in sanity for wanting a full, interesting, dynamic and abundant life. For years, I lived my life as if it was on a split-screen- I'd see the life I wanted to have and the life I lived on a day- to day basis and my "real life" seemed to be too debouched and meager to be acceptable as MY!!! life.
I made a poor decision to try to deny my childhood and to live as if it never occurred. Yet,burying it did not mean it vanished!It appeared, throughout my life as " acting out behaviors" that served me poorly and alienated me from people. I, then, fell into the myth- indeed a self-nurtured myth- that having a nervous break down, being homeless and currently living via SSI and SSDI and live in Public Provided housing means my hopes for a better life are dead!
Yet, I'm currently pushing myself harder as a Public Speaker through Toastmasters and as a writer largely through these blogs! I have friends telling me that I can be a Professional Speaker and that I ought to consider
writing a book. Do I believe that I can do these things- that is FUNDAMENTALLY within my ability- to accomplish this? Yes, I do!!!! Do I have the tenacity and temperament and resolute purpose to bring this to pass? I!!! JUST!!! DO!!! NOT!!! KNOW!!!
So, I need to look within myself and see if there is an "Alex Aspect" within my personality! I know that I will be told it is all within and about me! I'm not 100% sure that I believe this to be THE case! The brilliance of A Kobe Bryant and a LeBron James really was fueled by Nike! They both were fueled by a " I want to be like Mike! " Paradigm.
So, The Bronx and The Abuse and a Fear- Dominated Adulthood are the dark ominous-appearing clouds as I strive for the brilliant skies of the tomorrow I want. So, In these last days of 2010, I keep asking myself these questions - 1. Do I really have the ability? 2. Do I want a truly better life? 3. Am I going to be able to endure what I need to endure to get there? 4.Will what I gain provide me enough to be worthy of all of the struggle?
So, I am in need, it seems, of becoming a MANIAC!
- Johnny -
The significance of Living as a Fourth Grade Reader
This is a companion piece to a blog I posted earlier this week. I want us all to consider how poorly served the person is who leaves high school with a diploma and a too limited reading ability. Going through life effectively as a 9 or 10 year old who must deal with the realities of day to day adult life is a travesty.
For those who NEVER read the first blog, New York City Public Schools will issue a diploma to A High School Senior with a 4.9 Reading Level. The Leaders of The City of New York and Those empowered to operate the Public School see this as an adaptation dictated by social necessity. They see this as not blaming the young man or woman who has been brought to this circumstance by events beyond their control.
Yet, I hear the word "abdication" as I read and listen to the powers that be defend this policy! What can be done within the schools to compensate for factors that prevent students from progressing as readers? It might be that other programs will need to sacrificed or be curtailed in order to provide this vital life skill to the children and youth that they serve.
The Washington Post is written on an 8th Grade Reading Level, The New York Times is written on a 12tth Grade reading level. Business contracts are certainly written above the level of a Fourth Grader. In almost anyway you can imagine a Fourth Grader and anyone reading at the level of a Fourth Grader is not equipped to deal with day to day life on their own.
We all know people who do not have the skills or are limited in their processing abilities- it is immoral and inhumane to expect more from people who are unable to do any better. There are such unfortunates.However, To say that every one's life will be easier and "more manageable" if we simply apply the lowest common denominator answer is unfair to the person who does not have the life's experience and maturity to know better.
An Aspirin may cause a severe headache to fade away. However, If the person with the headache as a potentially deadly or crippling condition just saying " Well, The Aspirin seems to be working" sets that person up to be eventually crippled or to die due to that illness! Graduating "Fourth Graders" allows your graduation levels to look better as a statistic and likely frees that student- it allows him or her to be freed of classes and teachers- but at what cost!
When an attorney is defending a 26 year old woman against a charge of murder, What does he think when he looks into that woman's educational records and finds a Fourth Grade Reading level? Is it that, " John F. Kennedy HS sure failed her" ? When a 23 year old man faces a charge of rape, How does the Judge who looks over his record when she discovers his 5.1 Reading Level that he achieved on a test he took during his senior year. Does she wonder, " How do we allow our schools to consider this to be at all adequate?"
We drop our young people through trap doors when we do not wrestle as hard as we can to help them acquire what she or he needs to have a chance to achieve the life that he or she has the capacity and innate ability to secure! I know some students wage war on teachers and when you ask their parents/ guardians for support you are told , " At school, Rose/ Tommy is YOUR problem!", These students, sadly, are choosing to be co-conspirators in their own future bleak destiny. However,If a student is willing to co-operate and has the ability to do well but is under served, Then the fault lies in the teacher, the principal and the greater local school support structure all the way to the chancellor!
- Johnny -
,
For those who NEVER read the first blog, New York City Public Schools will issue a diploma to A High School Senior with a 4.9 Reading Level. The Leaders of The City of New York and Those empowered to operate the Public School see this as an adaptation dictated by social necessity. They see this as not blaming the young man or woman who has been brought to this circumstance by events beyond their control.
Yet, I hear the word "abdication" as I read and listen to the powers that be defend this policy! What can be done within the schools to compensate for factors that prevent students from progressing as readers? It might be that other programs will need to sacrificed or be curtailed in order to provide this vital life skill to the children and youth that they serve.
The Washington Post is written on an 8th Grade Reading Level, The New York Times is written on a 12tth Grade reading level. Business contracts are certainly written above the level of a Fourth Grader. In almost anyway you can imagine a Fourth Grader and anyone reading at the level of a Fourth Grader is not equipped to deal with day to day life on their own.
We all know people who do not have the skills or are limited in their processing abilities- it is immoral and inhumane to expect more from people who are unable to do any better. There are such unfortunates.However, To say that every one's life will be easier and "more manageable" if we simply apply the lowest common denominator answer is unfair to the person who does not have the life's experience and maturity to know better.
An Aspirin may cause a severe headache to fade away. However, If the person with the headache as a potentially deadly or crippling condition just saying " Well, The Aspirin seems to be working" sets that person up to be eventually crippled or to die due to that illness! Graduating "Fourth Graders" allows your graduation levels to look better as a statistic and likely frees that student- it allows him or her to be freed of classes and teachers- but at what cost!
When an attorney is defending a 26 year old woman against a charge of murder, What does he think when he looks into that woman's educational records and finds a Fourth Grade Reading level? Is it that, " John F. Kennedy HS sure failed her" ? When a 23 year old man faces a charge of rape, How does the Judge who looks over his record when she discovers his 5.1 Reading Level that he achieved on a test he took during his senior year. Does she wonder, " How do we allow our schools to consider this to be at all adequate?"
We drop our young people through trap doors when we do not wrestle as hard as we can to help them acquire what she or he needs to have a chance to achieve the life that he or she has the capacity and innate ability to secure! I know some students wage war on teachers and when you ask their parents/ guardians for support you are told , " At school, Rose/ Tommy is YOUR problem!", These students, sadly, are choosing to be co-conspirators in their own future bleak destiny. However,If a student is willing to co-operate and has the ability to do well but is under served, Then the fault lies in the teacher, the principal and the greater local school support structure all the way to the chancellor!
- Johnny -
,
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Who does a Meaner and More Confrontational Society Benefit?
Yesterday, Tuesday, December 7th, My Blog dealt with the whole subject of Defining Deviancy Down.- A phrase originated by Patrick Daniel Moynihan, A scholar and a former United States Senator from New York. This idea is that people, for social convenience and political correctness rationales, are told that traditional standards are exclusive, punitive and mean spirited and that we all become better people by adjusting to anything and everything we can possibly permit ourselves to adjust to.
So, People urinating in public and really not caring how many people are around them as they do so or how people might be offended by their action.People ride buses screaming into cell phones and broadcasting conversations filled with vulgar words- well, " Who Am I to say that this is uncouth and not acceptable."Illegal Aliens are referred to as " New Americans" by the Governor of The State of Maryland. It seems he forgot the idea of a process needing to be gone through to achieve this status n a legal and proper manner.
A society does better when asking people to aspire is emphasized over saying and de-facto MANDATING that the best that the poorest. least educated and those very LOOSELY connected to society- no matter why this is so- are the measure of the best we can expect from anyone in this society! This is not sustainable and it creates an aesthetically nightmarish, befouled and debased society
So, No " It isn't all Good" some of what we have going on around us is repulsive and offensive. and NO!!!!, " It isn't on yo/!", There are laws to be obeyed and standards of decency and health and cleanliness that saner, intelligent, discerning and respectable people know are EXCELLENT to follow!
One upon a Time in America, Slumming was considered to be a grievous and insulting way to behave to dress down act as if you are less educated and acting as if you are unaware of the standards of good public conduct! How do we all benefit by slumming become the current and continuing norm of the United States?
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So, People urinating in public and really not caring how many people are around them as they do so or how people might be offended by their action.People ride buses screaming into cell phones and broadcasting conversations filled with vulgar words- well, " Who Am I to say that this is uncouth and not acceptable."Illegal Aliens are referred to as " New Americans" by the Governor of The State of Maryland. It seems he forgot the idea of a process needing to be gone through to achieve this status n a legal and proper manner.
A society does better when asking people to aspire is emphasized over saying and de-facto MANDATING that the best that the poorest. least educated and those very LOOSELY connected to society- no matter why this is so- are the measure of the best we can expect from anyone in this society! This is not sustainable and it creates an aesthetically nightmarish, befouled and debased society
So, No " It isn't all Good" some of what we have going on around us is repulsive and offensive. and NO!!!!, " It isn't on yo/!", There are laws to be obeyed and standards of decency and health and cleanliness that saner, intelligent, discerning and respectable people know are EXCELLENT to follow!
One upon a Time in America, Slumming was considered to be a grievous and insulting way to behave to dress down act as if you are less educated and acting as if you are unaware of the standards of good public conduct! How do we all benefit by slumming become the current and continuing norm of the United States?
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Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Do we live in Moynihan's America?
The Late Patrick Daniel Moynihan, A Former Presidential Advisor, US Ambassador, US Senator and University Professor, had a quick wit and a great ability to encapsulate a situation by the a sharp and clear phrase of his own design. One such phrase that he coined, during his time in the Kennedy Administration, was " The Professionalization of Reform". Doctor Moynihan developed this concept to describe those who chose to invent and design new problem rather that dealing with situations and problem that have ALREADY been identified.
The phrase that I intend to focus upon is one he coined in the late 1980's during his time as a United States Senator -The phrase is "Defining Deviancy Down". This is a phenomena where activities formerly considered to be deviant are now recast as being normal, acceptable, worth adjusting to and simply the way people behave.You are expected to deal with what ever comes your way and if you act offended, perturbed and bothered by those you encounter than you are labeled as the deviant or dischordant one.
"Watch your language" is a phrase that earns smirks and dismissive stares. Telling people that they need to restrain their actions and volume will earn you-at best - a "That's on you !!!" Do we really believe that any and all behavior is acceptable? I certainly do not- The Public Sphere becomes a " The Toughest, The Loudest and Those with the least impulse control" win arena if that is how we allow people to operate.
Someone, Please explain how we then label that as a Civilized Society!
The phrase that I intend to focus upon is one he coined in the late 1980's during his time as a United States Senator -The phrase is "Defining Deviancy Down". This is a phenomena where activities formerly considered to be deviant are now recast as being normal, acceptable, worth adjusting to and simply the way people behave.You are expected to deal with what ever comes your way and if you act offended, perturbed and bothered by those you encounter than you are labeled as the deviant or dischordant one.
"Watch your language" is a phrase that earns smirks and dismissive stares. Telling people that they need to restrain their actions and volume will earn you-at best - a "That's on you !!!" Do we really believe that any and all behavior is acceptable? I certainly do not- The Public Sphere becomes a " The Toughest, The Loudest and Those with the least impulse control" win arena if that is how we allow people to operate.
Someone, Please explain how we then label that as a Civilized Society!
A Lesson provided by Desi Arnaz
Yes, That DESI!, The Ricky Ricardo of "I Love Lucy"! Desi Arnaz, sometime in the 1980's was approached to write his autobiography. Desi did and the title that he chosen for it was - "A Book".
That title fascinated and mystified many. He was, of course , asked -. " Why did you select that particular title?'. He simply smiled and succinctly stated, " I was asked to write a book, so I did"
I admire brevity, verbal economy and presenting a message that is muscular and yet educates. However, Brevity and succinctness are not qualities I come anywhere close mastering.
I blog in a style which can best be described as a blend of diary, commentary, analysis and thought pieces. I am now considering tackling the task of beginning to write a book. I am full of anxiety as I consider this task! My current phrase concerning this venture is " I do not want to write a Snoopy Book"! Now, I also NEED to ask myself, " Am I capable of writing A BOOK?" !
- Johnny -
That title fascinated and mystified many. He was, of course , asked -. " Why did you select that particular title?'. He simply smiled and succinctly stated, " I was asked to write a book, so I did"
I admire brevity, verbal economy and presenting a message that is muscular and yet educates. However, Brevity and succinctness are not qualities I come anywhere close mastering.
I blog in a style which can best be described as a blend of diary, commentary, analysis and thought pieces. I am now considering tackling the task of beginning to write a book. I am full of anxiety as I consider this task! My current phrase concerning this venture is " I do not want to write a Snoopy Book"! Now, I also NEED to ask myself, " Am I capable of writing A BOOK?" !
- Johnny -
Monday, December 6, 2010
Do I R?E?A?L?L?Y? have a BOOK within me?
I am a public speaker and a teacher. I believe that I can be innovative, creative, clever and inspiring. Yet, Would all of that equal an indication that I could be a successful and appealing author?
My fear is that any book I'd attempt to write would be Snoop-ish- A "Dark and Stormy Night" type of tome! So, What do you think? Could I actually be a successful author?
- Johnny -
My fear is that any book I'd attempt to write would be Snoop-ish- A "Dark and Stormy Night" type of tome! So, What do you think? Could I actually be a successful author?
- Johnny -
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Would you employ a Fourth Grader?
A 4.9 reading level- This equals how you would expect a student in the last full month of that year to be able to read. Can you imagine a high school graduate reading at that level? Yet, That is the minimal acceptable Reading Level for a graduating High School Senior in The City of New York.
What type of jobs is someone with a 4th Grade reading level likely to gain? How much is that employment likely to provide to him or her? Enough to actually live a life that most of us desire to live as citizens of the United States?
If you had the daring to ask, " How can you justify this policy?". You would be told, both with an attitude and noticeable disdain, " We respond to the realities of the students we instruct!". You would, then, be told of- Poverty, Homelessness, Improper Nutrition, Processing Problems ( ADHD et al), English as a Second, Third or Fourth Languages and a Single Parent Household among other causes totally beyond their ability to vanquish or even significantly challenge. You would also be told of the schools that are succeeding and prospering, few, they would admit but they are there! The most important item to glean from all of this would be - That NOT every student graduates from high school with a fourth grade reading level. However, It will be granted that a student with a FOURTH GRADE can graduate with a full diploma from a New York City Public High School!
It is vital to consider that a High School Diploma is a legal document . It is in the same category as a driver's license or a birth certificate. It would be totally reasonable to expect a High School Graduate to read at a 12th Grade Reading Level- After all High School Seniors are 12th graders in the rubric of our system.A 4th Grade reading level is 33% of a 12th Grade Reading level. If we factor in the .9 and are bit generous- let's inflate this percentage to 37 %.
Any one really want to rely upon a Long Form Birth Certificate where 37% of the facts are trustworthy. Do you want to grant a driver's license to someone who can meet 37 % of the requirements to obtain a driver's license? Isn't it a delusional fraud,and an insulting disservice to the young man or woman receiving the diploma to tell someone with a FOURTH!GRADE! READING! LEVEL! that they are properly trained to succeed in 21st Century America?
- Johnny -
What type of jobs is someone with a 4th Grade reading level likely to gain? How much is that employment likely to provide to him or her? Enough to actually live a life that most of us desire to live as citizens of the United States?
If you had the daring to ask, " How can you justify this policy?". You would be told, both with an attitude and noticeable disdain, " We respond to the realities of the students we instruct!". You would, then, be told of- Poverty, Homelessness, Improper Nutrition, Processing Problems ( ADHD et al), English as a Second, Third or Fourth Languages and a Single Parent Household among other causes totally beyond their ability to vanquish or even significantly challenge. You would also be told of the schools that are succeeding and prospering, few, they would admit but they are there! The most important item to glean from all of this would be - That NOT every student graduates from high school with a fourth grade reading level. However, It will be granted that a student with a FOURTH GRADE can graduate with a full diploma from a New York City Public High School!
It is vital to consider that a High School Diploma is a legal document . It is in the same category as a driver's license or a birth certificate. It would be totally reasonable to expect a High School Graduate to read at a 12th Grade Reading Level- After all High School Seniors are 12th graders in the rubric of our system.A 4th Grade reading level is 33% of a 12th Grade Reading level. If we factor in the .9 and are bit generous- let's inflate this percentage to 37 %.
Any one really want to rely upon a Long Form Birth Certificate where 37% of the facts are trustworthy. Do you want to grant a driver's license to someone who can meet 37 % of the requirements to obtain a driver's license? Isn't it a delusional fraud,and an insulting disservice to the young man or woman receiving the diploma to tell someone with a FOURTH!GRADE! READING! LEVEL! that they are properly trained to succeed in 21st Century America?
- Johnny -
A No Good, Terrible, Very Bad Place to Live.
" That is NOT a good neighborhood.", " I will ONLY go there have I must!", "The neighborhood is simply run down and undesirable."- Are these valid ways to describe why people may not want to love in a neighborhood or think that their address su*ks! Or, Are these words that are, in effect, code words?
Most people will say that such comments are only spoken by small-minded, provincial,prejudiced and bigoted men and women. I was homeless for 6 months years ago. I am grateful for having shelter.
Yet, I have had heat very inconsistently in my apartment, I often wake up to an icy apartment. The maintenance staff responds to requests for repairs v-----e---r-----y ----- slowly! They then usually need to come multiple times to repair further damage done their first unsuccessful efforts.
I have a friend who tells me that that since I am living in County Subsidized housing I cannot expect good service. She tells me that I just need to adjust to " slum living conditions". She also reminds me of how she thinks it is dangerous to be in my neighborhood after dark. She won't admit it but she does remind me of the number of "illegals" who live in my area. I'm not a big supporter of the undocumenteds but does their presence
automatically make a neighborhood "run down".
I'd like better service and I'd like to be warm. So,, I guess I need to set that aside and appreciate what I do have because- I could have much less!
- Johnny-
Most people will say that such comments are only spoken by small-minded, provincial,prejudiced and bigoted men and women. I was homeless for 6 months years ago. I am grateful for having shelter.
Yet, I have had heat very inconsistently in my apartment, I often wake up to an icy apartment. The maintenance staff responds to requests for repairs v-----e---r-----y ----- slowly! They then usually need to come multiple times to repair further damage done their first unsuccessful efforts.
I have a friend who tells me that that since I am living in County Subsidized housing I cannot expect good service. She tells me that I just need to adjust to " slum living conditions". She also reminds me of how she thinks it is dangerous to be in my neighborhood after dark. She won't admit it but she does remind me of the number of "illegals" who live in my area. I'm not a big supporter of the undocumenteds but does their presence
automatically make a neighborhood "run down".
I'd like better service and I'd like to be warm. So,, I guess I need to set that aside and appreciate what I do have because- I could have much less!
- Johnny-
Saturday, December 4, 2010
A Gift that will be well cared for.
Television and the Internet can flood a young child's mind with many enchanting possibilities to inspire their gift lists! We know that many of the items offered can look much more fun, exciting and interesting that they actually are.
We ALSO know that these are the gifts that get easily broken, because they are not at all practical or durably constructed. We also know that some gifts that are really not very interesting or much fun can wind up being forgotten by lunch time on December 25th. These are the toys or games or gimmicks that will wind up on the bottom of a toy chest or buried in the bottom of a closet. If children were into re gifting it might be the first thing they'd give as a birthday present to that child that they really do not like VERY much!
Here is an idea- Ask your child about the one gift that she or her really wants. Let them advocate as to why they desire it. Let them get excited about the exercise of convincing you. This might become the one present that they will most yearn for. If they offer you sound reasons for having it, That might be a gift that you may truly enjoy purchasing.
As a former teacher, I believe that every moment can be converted into a teachable moment. I also think that learning becomes a part of a child's most treasured activities when learning becomes key to fun as well as disciplined activity!
Christmas as an Educational Stage! Who woulda- Lol- thunk it?
- Johnny -
We ALSO know that these are the gifts that get easily broken, because they are not at all practical or durably constructed. We also know that some gifts that are really not very interesting or much fun can wind up being forgotten by lunch time on December 25th. These are the toys or games or gimmicks that will wind up on the bottom of a toy chest or buried in the bottom of a closet. If children were into re gifting it might be the first thing they'd give as a birthday present to that child that they really do not like VERY much!
Here is an idea- Ask your child about the one gift that she or her really wants. Let them advocate as to why they desire it. Let them get excited about the exercise of convincing you. This might become the one present that they will most yearn for. If they offer you sound reasons for having it, That might be a gift that you may truly enjoy purchasing.
As a former teacher, I believe that every moment can be converted into a teachable moment. I also think that learning becomes a part of a child's most treasured activities when learning becomes key to fun as well as disciplined activity!
Christmas as an Educational Stage! Who woulda- Lol- thunk it?
- Johnny -
A National Stop Day
I know this will, simply!!!, not ever happen. It is idealistic, foolish and nonsensical. However, I think we'd all benefit tremendously if the US established a National STOP Day!
Earlier this year as the Greater Washington Area soldiered through the snowiest winter in anyone's memory, I heard people with families, especially families with very young children, talked about appreciating the being forced to change their routine- no school, no work, business trips cancelled and so forth.
People told me ,with wistful smiles , about having time for talking - for true, detailed and absorbing conversation, for laughing and for true dedicated listening. They felt freed of mastery by any clock or schedule.
So, Would we all benefit from a day where we simply hang out and remember that our species IS, after all referred to as HUMAN Beings and not Human DOINGS!? Not likely to ever happen!!! This I will readily admit! However, Do I believe that all of us would be well-served by such a day? OH!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!
- Johnny -
Earlier this year as the Greater Washington Area soldiered through the snowiest winter in anyone's memory, I heard people with families, especially families with very young children, talked about appreciating the being forced to change their routine- no school, no work, business trips cancelled and so forth.
People told me ,with wistful smiles , about having time for talking - for true, detailed and absorbing conversation, for laughing and for true dedicated listening. They felt freed of mastery by any clock or schedule.
So, Would we all benefit from a day where we simply hang out and remember that our species IS, after all referred to as HUMAN Beings and not Human DOINGS!? Not likely to ever happen!!! This I will readily admit! However, Do I believe that all of us would be well-served by such a day? OH!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!
- Johnny -
The DollarTree Three!
A young girl, a toddler, got away from her grandmother while the grandmother was shopping at a California Dollar Tree Store.. This poor child ran afoul of a predator. This child was grabbed and, horrifically, this soulless predator, this conscious- less fiend began to rape her!
The attacker committed his crime within the the store itself and people could hear the child's screams and protests. Three people, a two men and a woman, confronted this predator One took on the assailant outside of the store, two directly outside of the store. The woman chased him through the store and had him by the jacket which he wriggled out of.
One of the men was outside the store raising money for charity.He challenged the fugitive to stop. The assailant swung at the charity worker and missed. The charity worker connected. The other man that helped to keep him down until the police arrived!
I love stories about people who refuse to let the savages win. The woman who confronted the man in the store said simply, " I HAD to do something, That's just who I am!Good Lady, Our Nation needs MANY more people just like you!
- Johnny -
The attacker committed his crime within the the store itself and people could hear the child's screams and protests. Three people, a two men and a woman, confronted this predator One took on the assailant outside of the store, two directly outside of the store. The woman chased him through the store and had him by the jacket which he wriggled out of.
One of the men was outside the store raising money for charity.He challenged the fugitive to stop. The assailant swung at the charity worker and missed. The charity worker connected. The other man that helped to keep him down until the police arrived!
I love stories about people who refuse to let the savages win. The woman who confronted the man in the store said simply, " I HAD to do something, That's just who I am!Good Lady, Our Nation needs MANY more people just like you!
- Johnny -
A Cleveland Gift!
1935 - In Cleveland- Gritty times in a city that, in of itself is considered to be the ULTIMATE image of grittiness, Two then teenagers, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster had a vision for a comic book character. A being from a dead world who arrives as an orphan on a new world and become that new world's greatest defender and champion.
He was portrayed as having a hidden identity as an awkward, clumsy and maladroit man, a man who seemed to slump when he walked- someone who could be easilu cast aside and ignored. He was given thick glasses as part of his "disguise". His two creators, who were mild-mannered, quiet and easy to look past young men modeled this hero's secret identity after how they believed others saw them. His girl friend- actually his wife in the more current depiction of his adventures- was modeled after the girl friend- actually later wife of one of his creators.
This hero was cast , at first, as an avenger of the bully and the oppressed. He would tell those who battled such things as " It's not so much fun when the other person can fight back.", " I see you don't like being the weaker person" or " Dish out your worst to someone who can return it in spades". To people in a depressed nation, to young people who felt bullied and mistreated or to people who felt helpless to meet life's diificulties these words were stimulating, hope provoking and a reason to keep striving!
The drawings were rather simplistic at first, facial fatures were not as distinct as you'd like them to be, and the plots were barely there but the hero's comic book adventures were marketable. The first stories were sold in 1O Cent magazines, not an inconsiderable some in 1935 - The March of Dimes Charity was also launched in that same tiime period - but the newsstands had problems keeping comicbooks featuring this hero in stock.
Joe and Jerry came up with an earlier version of this character - in 1933- He was actually written as a Master Villain and Fiend in those nacient efforts! He was seen as a Master Intellect- a malevolent Genius who would dominate beings of lesser intelligence. However, They decided a crusading hero would sell better. The First Character was called THE Superman. The "The" was dropped and the chracter who still amazes people today came to be.
One of Superman's most impressive characteristics is his humility and meekness. Meekness is best definded as " power under control and well-channeled". Therefore, Superman often underplays his hand- just uses the power that is called for from situation to situation.He is careful to not be dominating and controlling- but gives what is called for when it is called for.
The Last Son of Krypton can be seen also as a Son of Depression - Era Cleveland!
- Johnny -
He was portrayed as having a hidden identity as an awkward, clumsy and maladroit man, a man who seemed to slump when he walked- someone who could be easilu cast aside and ignored. He was given thick glasses as part of his "disguise". His two creators, who were mild-mannered, quiet and easy to look past young men modeled this hero's secret identity after how they believed others saw them. His girl friend- actually his wife in the more current depiction of his adventures- was modeled after the girl friend- actually later wife of one of his creators.
This hero was cast , at first, as an avenger of the bully and the oppressed. He would tell those who battled such things as " It's not so much fun when the other person can fight back.", " I see you don't like being the weaker person" or " Dish out your worst to someone who can return it in spades". To people in a depressed nation, to young people who felt bullied and mistreated or to people who felt helpless to meet life's diificulties these words were stimulating, hope provoking and a reason to keep striving!
The drawings were rather simplistic at first, facial fatures were not as distinct as you'd like them to be, and the plots were barely there but the hero's comic book adventures were marketable. The first stories were sold in 1O Cent magazines, not an inconsiderable some in 1935 - The March of Dimes Charity was also launched in that same tiime period - but the newsstands had problems keeping comicbooks featuring this hero in stock.
Joe and Jerry came up with an earlier version of this character - in 1933- He was actually written as a Master Villain and Fiend in those nacient efforts! He was seen as a Master Intellect- a malevolent Genius who would dominate beings of lesser intelligence. However, They decided a crusading hero would sell better. The First Character was called THE Superman. The "The" was dropped and the chracter who still amazes people today came to be.
One of Superman's most impressive characteristics is his humility and meekness. Meekness is best definded as " power under control and well-channeled". Therefore, Superman often underplays his hand- just uses the power that is called for from situation to situation.He is careful to not be dominating and controlling- but gives what is called for when it is called for.
The Last Son of Krypton can be seen also as a Son of Depression - Era Cleveland!
- Johnny -
Jack Frost seems to catch people by surprise each year.
I often wonder if people forget about last year once it is over. I say this because of how people react to the arrival of each new season- ESPECIALLY Winter!
I've noticed people saying, " It's gotten so cold, I really didn't expect this!". I would think that most adults would know that you can have hot days in late spring- say the First Days of June. Just as they should know that frigid and frosty days are indeed possible in late Fall- as in say the Early Days of December.
The seasons are an annual event- we all know what they can be like and we all know that the weather does not limit itself to what it should be in ANY particular season. I need we've known rather warm winters and outright cool to actually- for the time of the year- cold-ish summers.
So, It is somewhat odd, in my humble opinion, to be chagrined and a bit aghast at having a torrid Day in late Mat or Early June or a bitterly cold day in late November or Early December!
I've noticed people saying, " It's gotten so cold, I really didn't expect this!". I would think that most adults would know that you can have hot days in late spring- say the First Days of June. Just as they should know that frigid and frosty days are indeed possible in late Fall- as in say the Early Days of December.
The seasons are an annual event- we all know what they can be like and we all know that the weather does not limit itself to what it should be in ANY particular season. I need we've known rather warm winters and outright cool to actually- for the time of the year- cold-ish summers.
So, It is somewhat odd, in my humble opinion, to be chagrined and a bit aghast at having a torrid Day in late Mat or Early June or a bitterly cold day in late November or Early December!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Barbie And Avon
An Avon Catalog dropped off at my door - I'm guessing as a part of as mass distribution effort- rested against my apartment door when I arrived home a while ago! On the cover is a picture of a Barbie Doll. I'm guessing this is a cross promotion with Mattel. I'm guessing because this booklet is written only in Spanish . I guess because this neighborhood has a large and continuing to expand Latino population. However while my last name is Hispanic, I do not identify myself as as a Latino and I do not speak Spanish. Clearly their target location methods are in need of- LOL- improvement.
I find this as interesting as Barbie is often seen as impressing upon young girls an image/model of what "feminine beauty and sexiness is!" It is seen, by many, to be a stereotypical images that depicts an unrealistic and sexist body image. It is also seen as imposing an idealized picture of "white beauty" as the standard that all women " should strive to emulate"! If Barbie were an actual human being, Her measurements would be 36-18-33. Very stylized clearly and out- of- touch with reality. I must say that I do not see many women in this neighborhood with a figure reminiscent of Barbie
So, Peddling this image to Latino women and their daughters seems to be to be tres bizarre, outlandish and rather racist!I also can't imagine that there would be many Latino women who would have "Barbie -Like" figures- just not commonly occurring in the body type.
I've always heard that Avon believes in celebrating women and giving them the tools to enhance their own PERSONAL attractiveness! Barbie works into this equation- how?
- Johnny -
I find this as interesting as Barbie is often seen as impressing upon young girls an image/model of what "feminine beauty and sexiness is!" It is seen, by many, to be a stereotypical images that depicts an unrealistic and sexist body image. It is also seen as imposing an idealized picture of "white beauty" as the standard that all women " should strive to emulate"! If Barbie were an actual human being, Her measurements would be 36-18-33. Very stylized clearly and out- of- touch with reality. I must say that I do not see many women in this neighborhood with a figure reminiscent of Barbie
So, Peddling this image to Latino women and their daughters seems to be to be tres bizarre, outlandish and rather racist!I also can't imagine that there would be many Latino women who would have "Barbie -Like" figures- just not commonly occurring in the body type.
I've always heard that Avon believes in celebrating women and giving them the tools to enhance their own PERSONAL attractiveness! Barbie works into this equation- how?
- Johnny -
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Our conflicted attitudes on the subject of Service!
Even in the midst of the season of love, compassion and generosity, We, both societally and individually, seem to be conflicted when it comes to the subject of service!
Many believe that service should be done secretively and without any notion of reward or taking any measure of credit. They subscribe to the biblical idea of " not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing." It is seen as being a braggart or being manipulative to speak of your generosity or chartiableness.
Yet, Organizations such as The Red Cross count up the numbers of hours their volunteers serve and honor them for that. Numerous organizations have banquets to celebrate their volunteers. We just finished an entire month where, in part, we honor those who give and give and give EVEN BEYOND that!
Service, to me. is to be honored. We know that it is something we want to see people do more. We know that there are needs that people can profitably and successfully overcome with "A LITTLE HELP from THEIR FRIENDS!" Someone committed to serving you and invested with you in common cause to improve your life can be rightly considered to be a friend!
If you serve JUST and SOLELY just to have people honor you and sing your praises, Then you would do well to reconsider why you are doing what you are doing. I think that such preening and overweening egomanicalness is extremely rare. For most of us, We volunteer because we are moved to help and to be the very best that we can be! That is something worthy of being honored and it is an attitude that benefits ALL OF US !
One last aside - Some people refer to people as being " just volunteers". Money does not determine whether something is a productive or a useless activity! To me, Just is a word that has no right to be connected to the word "volunteer"!
- Johnny -
Many believe that service should be done secretively and without any notion of reward or taking any measure of credit. They subscribe to the biblical idea of " not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing." It is seen as being a braggart or being manipulative to speak of your generosity or chartiableness.
Yet, Organizations such as The Red Cross count up the numbers of hours their volunteers serve and honor them for that. Numerous organizations have banquets to celebrate their volunteers. We just finished an entire month where, in part, we honor those who give and give and give EVEN BEYOND that!
Service, to me. is to be honored. We know that it is something we want to see people do more. We know that there are needs that people can profitably and successfully overcome with "A LITTLE HELP from THEIR FRIENDS!" Someone committed to serving you and invested with you in common cause to improve your life can be rightly considered to be a friend!
If you serve JUST and SOLELY just to have people honor you and sing your praises, Then you would do well to reconsider why you are doing what you are doing. I think that such preening and overweening egomanicalness is extremely rare. For most of us, We volunteer because we are moved to help and to be the very best that we can be! That is something worthy of being honored and it is an attitude that benefits ALL OF US !
One last aside - Some people refer to people as being " just volunteers". Money does not determine whether something is a productive or a useless activity! To me, Just is a word that has no right to be connected to the word "volunteer"!
- Johnny -
A Walk in Falls Church, Virginia
Sometimes planned activities that you expect to yield very mundane and ordinary results truly provide outcomes that astound you!
I was in Falls Church on Tuesday afternoon, November the 30th, I was in Falls Church to tend to a banking errand, After finishing that, I wandered south to one of my favorite Comic Book stores- Victory Comics.
I am a long time collector and love to talk to people not only about the various comic book characters that I enjoy but the whole industry itself. I had an enjoyable conversation and wound up being given a copy of a title that just was not selling well. This, of course, I did not EXPECT.
After leaving Victory Comics, I stopped off at Elevation Burger- amazing food and even a more amazing atmosphere. I discovered that they had a new soda dispensing machine - one unlike any I had ever seen. It was silverish in color and - I was told- capable of dispensing 116 separate Coke products - Wow!
A Free Gift of a Comic Book- An Adaptation of The John Carter on Mars Series- and a truly 21st Century Soda Machine- this made my Tuesday an unexpectedly interesting day!
- Johnny -
I was in Falls Church on Tuesday afternoon, November the 30th, I was in Falls Church to tend to a banking errand, After finishing that, I wandered south to one of my favorite Comic Book stores- Victory Comics.
I am a long time collector and love to talk to people not only about the various comic book characters that I enjoy but the whole industry itself. I had an enjoyable conversation and wound up being given a copy of a title that just was not selling well. This, of course, I did not EXPECT.
After leaving Victory Comics, I stopped off at Elevation Burger- amazing food and even a more amazing atmosphere. I discovered that they had a new soda dispensing machine - one unlike any I had ever seen. It was silverish in color and - I was told- capable of dispensing 116 separate Coke products - Wow!
A Free Gift of a Comic Book- An Adaptation of The John Carter on Mars Series- and a truly 21st Century Soda Machine- this made my Tuesday an unexpectedly interesting day!
- Johnny -
Rush was Wrong yesterday!, Wednesday, December First !
I admit it- I am a fan of Rush Limbaugh! I find that he asks people to be proud of what they believe and he emboldens them to express those views vigorous and intensely. Prior to 1988, When he first appeared on the radio NATIONALLY certain news sources usually treated anyone expressing conservative and traditionally-anchored views as being uneducated,ill-informed and highly simplistic. While I regrettably admit, these negative stereotypes are somewhat accurately applied to some, it is not and never was true when applied in a broader perspective. Rush played and now plays a great role in helping conservatives to be more combative, challenging and self-confident. Rush also helped me to develop a different sense of humor than I once had- I've adopted his humorous paradigm, " Demonstrating absurdity by being absurd" as my own basically!
Yet, I'd be nothing less than cowardly if I did not state that I felt Rush was wrong and did the cause we share harm yesterday. Rush, during his December First program attacked ,relentlessly,the Founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange. Mr. Limbaugh, as have many, lambasted Mr, Assange for the damage done to the United States and its' allies due to his massive classified information release.Rush spoke of the support given to those engaged in combat operations against US and Allied Forces. He also spoke of the damage done to the US ability to work with other nations diplomatically due to Mr. Assange's actions.
Having typed all of this, I felt that Rush's adhominem attacks on Julian Assange were beneath him. he frequently described him as Effeminate and Sissified ! These attacks have nothing to do, at all, with analyzing either Wikileaks or Mister Assange, The way he speaks, the way he dresses, the way he speaks and the sound of his voice have NOTHING at all to do with any actions taken by Mister Assangeor any of his associates or callaborators. I know that some people see Rush as a nasty bully, normally I vigorously argue against those labeling Mr. Limbaugh as such. In this case, I'm rather hard pressed to defend Rush for his poor , unwise and yes, UNNEEDFULLY PROVOCATIVE comments.
The Merriam- Webster Dictionary on-line site provides the following 2 definitions for the term adhominem. The First one provided is - Appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect. Whether or not Julian Assange comes across as masculine- as some see masculine- is , indeed a meaningless and worthless observation.All it does is give people a reason to say that Mr. Limbaugh is "homophobic". I. for the record do not believe that he is but why targeted yourself for unnecessary and intense grief when a better choice of arguments can prevent this from transpiring.
The Second Merriam-Webster Dictionary provided definition for the term adhominem is "marked by an attack on an opponent's character rather than by providing an answer to the contentions made.'Mr.Assange is, in my opinion, clearly vulnerable to being easily assailed from numerous moral, ethical and legal perspectives, that is what Mr.Limbaugh should have engaged in rather than what he unwisely chose to engage in.
What is fascinating is that that the man who is seen as a person of interest as the provider of the materials that Wikileaks has disseminated is an active duty soldier, Private First Class Bradley Manning. Manning identifies himself as a homosexual and has been an outspoken critic of both the " Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and has
been active in stating that gays and lesbians are routinely mistreated while serving in the US Military. The reason the analysts bring this up is because it speaks to a possible motive for providing this classified data to Wikileaks!
Now, Rush could have addressed the data concerning Private Manning and why he would want to assist Mr. Assange and his associates without having to resort to adhominem attacks on either Assange or Manning.. The truth and the facts are, after all, are totally acceptable and eminently defensible.
Sorry, Rush, I simply cannot give you any DITTOS for your Wednesday, December First Radio Broadcast!
Yet, I'd be nothing less than cowardly if I did not state that I felt Rush was wrong and did the cause we share harm yesterday. Rush, during his December First program attacked ,relentlessly,the Founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange. Mr. Limbaugh, as have many, lambasted Mr, Assange for the damage done to the United States and its' allies due to his massive classified information release.Rush spoke of the support given to those engaged in combat operations against US and Allied Forces. He also spoke of the damage done to the US ability to work with other nations diplomatically due to Mr. Assange's actions.
Having typed all of this, I felt that Rush's adhominem attacks on Julian Assange were beneath him. he frequently described him as Effeminate and Sissified ! These attacks have nothing to do, at all, with analyzing either Wikileaks or Mister Assange, The way he speaks, the way he dresses, the way he speaks and the sound of his voice have NOTHING at all to do with any actions taken by Mister Assangeor any of his associates or callaborators. I know that some people see Rush as a nasty bully, normally I vigorously argue against those labeling Mr. Limbaugh as such. In this case, I'm rather hard pressed to defend Rush for his poor , unwise and yes, UNNEEDFULLY PROVOCATIVE comments.
The Merriam- Webster Dictionary on-line site provides the following 2 definitions for the term adhominem. The First one provided is - Appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect. Whether or not Julian Assange comes across as masculine- as some see masculine- is , indeed a meaningless and worthless observation.All it does is give people a reason to say that Mr. Limbaugh is "homophobic". I. for the record do not believe that he is but why targeted yourself for unnecessary and intense grief when a better choice of arguments can prevent this from transpiring.
The Second Merriam-Webster Dictionary provided definition for the term adhominem is "marked by an attack on an opponent's character rather than by providing an answer to the contentions made.'Mr.Assange is, in my opinion, clearly vulnerable to being easily assailed from numerous moral, ethical and legal perspectives, that is what Mr.Limbaugh should have engaged in rather than what he unwisely chose to engage in.
What is fascinating is that that the man who is seen as a person of interest as the provider of the materials that Wikileaks has disseminated is an active duty soldier, Private First Class Bradley Manning. Manning identifies himself as a homosexual and has been an outspoken critic of both the " Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and has
been active in stating that gays and lesbians are routinely mistreated while serving in the US Military. The reason the analysts bring this up is because it speaks to a possible motive for providing this classified data to Wikileaks!
Now, Rush could have addressed the data concerning Private Manning and why he would want to assist Mr. Assange and his associates without having to resort to adhominem attacks on either Assange or Manning.. The truth and the facts are, after all, are totally acceptable and eminently defensible.
Sorry, Rush, I simply cannot give you any DITTOS for your Wednesday, December First Radio Broadcast!
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