“A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.” Oscar Wilde

"A man who does not think for himself does not think at all." Oscar Wilde

Monday, December 6, 2010

In Between Days

Somewhere, in the back of someone's fridge, is still some turkey left over from the Thanksgiving feast. While that bird is aging, yet another probably looms on the horizon. It's the in between days. Those days when some are still recovering from the last holiday, Thanksgiving, and preparing for the next, Christmas.

But wait ... as they say on the TV commercials ... there is more to come. There is yet another set of in between days. Time to recover again from yet more acts of gluttony and make ready for the really big celebration ... New Year.

I've often wondered how the final days of our calendar year might be interpreted by someone totally unfamiliar with our culture. Perhaps, their final report might read something like this:

During the weeks I spent observing this society I discovered they exhibit many strange behaviors. There seems to be a fascination with a strange looking bird called a turkey. I have seen replicas of this creature wearing such odd items as a pilgrim style hat to buckle shoes. It is even celebrated on a bottle of potent drink. Then, on a designated day the masses bake, fry, smoke and roast and devour this bird.

The very next day hoards of people descend on merchants seemingly stripping them of their wares. This is often referred to as a shopping spree. Although to me it looks more like a battle spree. Or, the mass release of mentally ill people into a small space.

During the in between days, from what they call Thanksgiving until the next celebration, Christmas, is spent rushing from place to place and store to store and hanging lights and decorations in just about every place one can imagine. There must be a significance between a star and some obese human who dresses like a prude version of a old male stripper.

Then there is Christmas when everyone presents everyone else with trinkets and overpriced items, as well as, just plain garish garments. Once again, they devour the ugly bird they call a turkey.

The next two or three or four days are spent recuperating from the amount of food they have ingested and examining the things received a little closer and realizing the debt they have incurred. But, there is no time for introspection. They must get ready for another celebration. It is the feast of the New Year when alcohol flows freely and inhibitions are lost in the old year.

Perhaps the most remarkable day, not the day following the night's debauchery, but the second day after it. Many are still suffering from hangovers and indigestion and wondering how they are going to pay for everything. Yet, in this strange society you hear the question over and over: "Did you have fun?" And, the response is overwhelmingly: "Yes."

And people question me when I ask them ... "How much fun can I have before I'm damned?"

Thursday, November 11, 2010

A Soldier's Thoughts


 I Am An American Soldier

I am an American Soldier !
Not because I vote or preach
what I want.
Not because I buy items to
Toss and to flaunt.
It is not because I drink
Coca-Cola or eat apple pie.
Not because I’ve played
Baseball or caught a pop fly.
The reason I have rises
above all the rest,
The reason is simple; I have
been put to the test.
I have slept on the ground
And woke up all muddy,
I have cheered with my pals
and cried for my buddies.
I have walked through a
storm of bullets and brass,
And knew the guy next to
me was watching my ass.
I am an American because I
have earned it,
I fought for the flag and
cried as they burned it.
I chose this great life of
 bullets and beans.
The glory and glamour is not
what it seemed.
I will stand up right here
and proudly proclaim
That I am an American,
can you do the same?

The above was written by:  SOT Sancar Steffan Fredsti (Medic), 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division during his deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Let us all remember this day and thank our veterans: active, retired, reserve and national guard. And let us never forget those who are still missing and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.



Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Veterans - A Comparison

We have all heard of the Band of Brothers and the bond that is formed between men and women who have served together defending our country.

There is also a certain difference between civilian friends and friends who are veterans. Here are just a few comparisons:  

Civilian Friends:  Tend to get upset if you are to busy to talk to them for a week. 
Veteran Friends:  Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.

Civilian Friends:   Have never seen you cry.
Veteran Friends:  Have cried with you.

Civilian Friends:   Know a few things about you.
Veteran Friends:  Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

Civilian Friends:   Are for a while.
Veteran Friends:  Are for life.

Civilian Friends:   Have shared a few experiences.
Veteran Friends:  Have shared a lifetime of experience no civilian could ever dream of ...

Civilian Friends:   Will take your drink away when they think you've enough.
Veteran Friends:  Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say: "You better drink the rest of that before you spill it." Then carry you home safely and put you to bed.

A veteran is someone, who at some point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America for an amount of "up to and including my life." ... And military families are as much a veteran as their spouse, father, son, daughter, brother or sister.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Leading Up to Veterans' Day

Although it has been nearly a month since my last post I offer no excuse other than we simply have to set priorities in our lives. As much as I enjoy this blog, it does not take priority over family or personal affairs. 

With that said, we are only three days away from what I consider a very important holiday ... Veterans' Day. I am not prone to being political as we remember those who have worn and continue to wear the uniform of our nation's armed forces. But as a veteran I believe I've earned the right speak out.

Although I have what some may call distinguished credentials, I would like to
submit the following for your consideration as simply an American.

I am an American.

I have proudly worn the uniform of the United States Army in service to my
country. I have slogged through jungles and endured scorching dessert heat. I
have bled for my country.

I have traveled the world and proudly declared my citizenship with my passport
which is imprinted with the words “Unites States of America.”

I have looked with pride at the response of my countrymen and my
government’s elected leaders at the rapid response to help those in need all
over the globe.

I am an American.

I am proud of my country.

I only wish I could continue to say I am proud of my government’s leaders.

The sad truth is we are a government without true leaders.

Our leaders once had vision, compassion, daring and integrity. Our leaders
once led us to become the most wealthy, productive nation on the planet.
And,the most respected.

Today the respect has all but vanished. Our leaders have alienated our allies,
squandered our wealth and reduced productivity to primarily the increasing of
the wealth for a few at the expense of majority.

Respect that was earned over decades has begun to vanish.

I am still an American.

I am still proud.

And, I still harbor hope we will again have men and women who will lead our
great republic back to its place in history as a nation “of the people, for
the people and by the people”. A nation that leads by example and not by the
arrogance of power.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

What if ? ? ?

We've all played the "what if" game throughout our lives. Watching the news of the globe unfold this past week I couldn't help but wonder what if in many current scenarios.

In Chile this week the world watched as 33 men were winched to the surface in an unprecedented rescue effort. The success was the result of international cooperation on a scale never witnessed before. Chile's president, Sebastian Pinera, said last night his country's successful rescue operation had given a good example to the world of "commitment, courage, faith, hope and unity."

But, "what if" he had listened to some of his advisers who had told him not to do the things he did. The outcome may not have been as joyous. We'll never know.

With the mid-term elections looming in just two weeks, "what if" every registered voter went to the polls and voiced their opinion with a ballot? That would be a true election of the people not just by a minority of the electorate. 

In these harsh economic times, "what if" the first budget cuts were not from the very areas the money is needed most such as education, public safety, assistance to the poor and elderly. Rather they came from bloated projects that could well be put on hold. Such projects might include signage that could weather another year or two or new furniture for government offices.

In the private sector the "what if" game could continue. "What if" companies increased their advertising budget to steer more people towards their products and services rather than cut this expense first and cut in other areas that may be unpopular such as corporate hotel and car rental expenses? Instead of booking rooms at a four-star hotel downgrade to a less expensive property, or rent an economy car instead of a mid-size one.

The list could go on and on. Such as listening to members of the military when they say a particular weapons system is not needed instead of listening to the members of Congress pandering for votes and spending the unneeded money.

It's true we live in a world where political correctness seems to be the rule. And, many are content to simply shrug their shoulders and let others speak and act for them.

In this One Person's View, I can't help but wonder "what if" we were all pro-active and worked to make our world a better place? To use the example of Chile's disaster and success and make our priorities unselfishly human instead of feeding ego and greed.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Send Washington a Gift

Just a few minutes ago I was scanning the headlines and was struck by one in particular. It read: "No call for Social Security increase in 2011."

According to the inflation measures adopted by Congress nearly 40 years ago, there will be no cost of living adjustment (COLA). The reason, they say, is the rate of inflation does not match the criteria. It doesn't matter many seniors rely solely on Social Security for their entire income. Or, many whose savings, if they have any, and home values have yet to recover from the financial collapse.

They have not had a raise since January, 2009 and apparently will not receive one until January, 2012. One member of Congress observed recently: "Costs of living are inevitably going up, regardless of what that formula says." He went on to note that seniors have such items as uncovered drug costs and utility increases and they are on fixed incomes.

In this election year it might surprise a few people at just how angry voters may become and, it may translate at the polls. 

My suggestion is a simple one and the cost would be minimal to send our lawmakers a message. We can send them a gift. For less than $5 and the cost of postage go to your local store and purchase a jar of Vaseline then mail it to your representative or senator or both.

In this One Person's View, if we're going to get screwed at least have the decency to try to make it painless!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

A Two-Edged Sword

This week the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Snyder v. Phelps. It is a case regarding the First Amendment of our Constitution. And it goes to the very core of Constitutional law.

"Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, seemingly has made it his personal crusade to disrupt military funerals. To blatantly disregard the sacrifice, dignity and honor of our troops, their families and the very fabric that, for generations, has laid down their lives for the very right he claims ... freedom of speech.

In March, 2006, Albert Snyder was doing what no parent should ever have to do ... burying his son. Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder died in Iraq. As the flag-draped coffin was being escorted to Lance Corporal Snyder's final resting place members of this so-called church, traveled a thousand miles to be at the funeral and exercise their interpretation of freedom of speech.

They did it by carrying such signs as: "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" and "Thank God for IEDs".

The physical and mental trauma this young marine's family were subjected to can only be imagined.

A jury found the church liable for intentional affliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and civil conspiracy. However, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the verdict ruling the First Amendment protected Westboro's speech.

As a combat veteran I cannot be objective in this case. The argument is made that not upholding the appeals court's decision may lead to a curtailment of this very right to include the reporting of news and freedom of the press. Yet, is there a line to be drawn?

In the past I have escorted friends, fellow soldiers, from the battlefield to their final resting place. There are no words that can describe the emotions, the sadness and the absolute solemnity of this task.

Ask anyone who has been in combat and they will tell you they abhor violence. Ask anyone who has ever worn the uniform of our military services if they would desecrate the service of a brother or sister in arms and they will probably respond they would choose death before dishonor.

I do not advocate violence. But in this One Person's View I can't help but think if this group of extremists "thank God for IEDs" then perhaps He should line their walkway with a few so they can tell Him in person.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Ignorance is Bliss

This morning ABC News aired a special edition of This Week with Christiane Amanpour. It was billed as a Town Hall Meeting. Among the participants were members of various faiths and views from moderate to conservative. In an attempt to maintain balance of the conversation there was also objectivity injected from noted professionals such as a former F.B.I. terrorism expert.

The topic was headlined as: "Holy War, Should Americans Fear Islam?"

In the past One Person's Views has offered thoughts and opinions addressing both the similarities and the differences of various religions and cultures. Many of my writings may not be politically correct, for which I offer no apology, but I do hope they will invoke discussion and give one cause to think.

After watching this program I was reminded of a couple of events. And, like many thinking individuals it seemed one thought led to another. Here are a few of those thoughts.

Sitting with a half a dozen or so people a few weeks ago the topic was religion. Those who read my blog on a regular basis know I am no fan of organized religion. Consequently, I probably did not score high with my comments during this discussion.

One individual made a remark condemning the Muslim faith and all those who ascribe to that belief. I simply asked if he had ever read the Quran and the response was: "No! I don't need to." I pushed a little more and inquired if he knew any Muslims to which he responded: "Hell no, why would I want to?"

At that point I couldn't help but alienate him even more by informing him I had read that book, although admittedly not from cover to cover. The same is true regarding the Bible and the Talmud. I consider them all best sellers and fiction. And, I have been to Afghanistan where the root of extremist beliefs can be found.

In a conversation about what we had just watched, my wife asked me if I could remember seeing any Muslims portrayed in T.V. commercials. I could not. We routinely see all other demographics Perhaps, a subconscious way of saying they are not yet totally considered part of the fabric of America.

How long ago was it when there were no Afro-Americans or blacks depicted in commercials?

America has consistently gone through growing pains. And, various groups, both religious and ethnic, have been targets of discrimination for one reason or another. I can recall when some hotels and country clubs would not admit nor cater to not just blacks but Jews and Catholics too.

They were considered different from "mainstream" America. Much of what "mainstream" America believed was formed because of the radical fringes of these groups. And yes, of ignorance. Today they are embraced as part of our culture. We, as a people, have become more educated yet, we still have a long way to go.

Oh! And what about the assumption by many that folks with certain physical disabilities are also stupid? Physical impairment does not mean there is also a mental impairment. The mind is capable of functioning at a great level even when the physical body can't.

For thousands of years it appears the human race has always feared what it does not understand. Conversely, as understanding grew and we became more knowledgeable those fears were overcome. Education does not just consist of what we learn in school. It continues throughout our lifetime.

The old adage: "Ignorance is bliss" would be better if it were rephrased to say: "Bliss is being educated."

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

110 Years Ago

A simple gravestone sits on the ground at the Grandview Cemetery in Chillicothe, Ohio. I bears the inscription "Henry Holcomb Bennett, Dec. 5, 1863 - Apr. 30, 1924." He was an author, journalist and poet. Recently, I came across one of his works of poetry first published in 1900 and thought it is worth sharing.

The Flag Goes By

Hats off!
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,
A flash of color beneath the sky;
Hats off!
The flag is passing by!

Blue and crimson and white it shines,
Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines,
Hats off!
The colors before us fly;
But more than a flag is passing by.

Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great, 
Fought to make and to save the State;
Weary marches and sinking ships;
Cheers of victory on dying lips;

Days of plenty and years of peace;
March of a strong land's swift increase;
Equal justice, right and law,
Stately honor and revered awe;

Sign of a nation, great and strong
To ward her people from foreign wrong;
Pride and glory and honor - all
Live in the colors to stand or fall.

Hats off!
Along the street here comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;
And loyal hearts are beating high;
Hats off!
The flag is passing by!

A special thanks to James M. Tarbox, editor of The History Channel Magazine for introducing me to this wonderful image.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

A Dual Standard ???

While the name Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43 year-old woman, may not be one many recognize the news generated by her mobilized governments and organizations around the world.

She was convicted of adultery and sentenced to be stoned to death but earlier this month Iran caved to international criticism and suspended her death sentence.

Now, in the State of Virginia, the first woman since 1912 is slated to be executed. Teresa Lewis, 41, is said to have an I.Q. of 70 which puts her in a category of "borderline deficient" or by some standards mentally retarded. She is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection in Virginia.

The United States Supreme Court refused to grant a last-minute reprieve and Virgina's governor said he will not intervene to stop the execution.

Personally I don't believe the death sentence is, as some claim, a deterrent. To me it is no more than vengeance. But, I too have a dual standard here. While opposed in principle, if someone committed a crime against a member of my family they better hope the system takes them in custody before I get to them and render my own justice.

By most accounts there are 195 countries in the world. Amnesty International reports 137 have abolished the death penalty. The leaves 58 nations that still condemn people to death. Fifteen of our 50 states have outlawed such punishment. 

With that being said, it seems our nation also has a double standard in many ways. While we condemn human rights violations around the world ranging from child labor to locking up dissidents, we lead the world in the number of people locked up.

The United States has less than five percent of the world's population but we have almost 25 percent of the world's prisoners, according to research done by the New York Times. Americans are locked up for crimes - from writing bad checks to using drugs - that would rarely produce prison sentences in other countries. And, in particular they are kept incarcerated far longer than prisoners in other nations.

The International Center for Prison Studies at Kings College in London, says America has 2.3 million criminals behind bars. China, which has four times our population, is a distant second with 1.6 million criminals in prison.

I do not consider myself either a liberal or a conservative. My thinking is more along the moderate lines. But I do consider myself a patriot. As such, I can't help but wonder what kind of message we send the world with such numbers.

In this One Person's Views, perhaps we should worry less about what other countries are doing and concentrate on our own problems and discrepancies and once again become the beacon the world has come to expect from leadership and example.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

A New 007 Weapon ???

So often in the past things what we have seen fantasized has become reality. Anyone recall Dick Tracy's watch? It had two-way communication capabilities. How about microchips? They were once portrayed only in spy novels and movies. Now, we implant them in our pets.

Those of us who use computers routinely are familiar with malware, spyware, viruses and such things as worms. We know they can range from being a simple nuisance to inflicting massive damage on a computer's system or files. But what about a worm that is an actual cyber weapon created to cross from the digital realm to the physical world  - to destroy something.

Top cyber security experts say they have identified the world's first known cyber super weapon. The cyber worm named Stuxnet. After spending nearly four months reverse engineering Stuxnet they believe it was designed specifically to destroy a real world target. Could it be a factory, a refinery or just maybe a nuclear power plant?

This is not science fiction or a prelude to an upcoming television series or a movie. It is real. Ralph Langner, a German cyber-security researcher recently told the Christian Science Monitor "Until a few days ago, people did not believe a directed attack like this was possible." Today (Tuesday) he presented his findings at a conference of industrial control system security experts in Rockville, Maryland.

The cyber worm first become known in June and in July was considered to be an ultrasophisticated piece of work. Its author or authors are unknown as is its origin. What is known is in August researchers discovered Stuxnet seemed to be able to take control of systems it had infected and do whatever it might be programmed to do with them.

Senior U.S. cyber-security experts have confirmed Langner's findings. After reverse engineering large amounts of Stuxnet's code they concluded it is a precision, military-grade cyber missle deployed early last year to seek out and destroy an unknown real-world target of extreme importance.

"This is not about espionage." the German researcher said, "This is a 100% sabotage attack."

Michael Assanti, former cyber-security research chief with the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory stated: "What we are seeing with Stuxnet is the first view of something new that doesn't need outside guidance by a human but can still take control of your infrastructure."

Several other cyber-security experts agree with the classification of this cyber worm as a weapon.

So far it is estimated some 45,000 industrial control systems have been infected. One Canadian expert says majority of those infected are in Iran, Pakistan, India and Indonesia. However, some systems have been attacked in Germany, Canada and the United States.

Researching this has been like following a really good spy novel. It seems the epicenter of attacks has been Iran. Some reports claim the U.S. is acknowledged to have such cyber-war-fighting capability and Israel is also reported to have a formidable offensive cyber capability.

 Was the expected August start-up of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran really delayed by "hot weather" as one official stated?

Perhaps truth may well be stranger than fiction.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Poverty Hits Seniors Harder

For the first time in 51 years the poverty level in the United States has hit record numbers. Combine the unemployment rate with the difficult economic times and uncertainty, and we find a total of 43.6 million people lived in poverty last year, up from 39.8 million in 2008, according to the Census Bureau.

For years we have been hearing stories about senior citizens having to make a choice between buying the medication they need in their everyday lives or buying food. Today that choice continues to haunt them.

The National Academy of Science puts the poverty rate for senior citizens, those over 65, at twice the national level. The National Academy of Science differs in the formula used to arrive at the poverty figures. It is more realistic insofar as it takes into account medical expenses the federal method omits. One study done in New York City puts the number of those over 65 living below the poverty level at nearly one in three using a similar methodology.

 Cuts in social programs and slight decrease in charitable donations only adds fuel to the fire. Food banks across the country have seen an increase in the numbers of people turning to them for assistance. Drive past a Goodwill store or other "second-hand" store and the parking lot is much fuller than in the past.

According to ABC News, the average Social Security benefit check is $1,050. The Census Bureau defines the poverty level as one person who is making $10,830 a year and increases the level for a family of four to $22,050.

Simple math shows the reported average Social Security income for one person is only $1,770 dollars over the poverty level. This would account for many millions of people simply living on the edge, who don't have what they need to get by.

Last year the annual prosperity index, published by a highly respected London based research firm  listed our country as ninth in the world. In 2008 we were fourth, a drop of five places.

Is this the decline of America? Although the description of poverty affects everyone with a low income, people who have worked all their lives and believed in the American dream may be experiencing an American nightmare.

Once again, I don't know an answer to this growing problem except we all need to work together. We need to be united and not divided and rise above petty and sometimes selfish thinking to help each other. We need to be proactive with our elected officials and not complacent to let someone else do what needs to be done.

Look around you, do you know someone you can help? Not financially but maybe in a way that would save them a few dollars. Are they paying someone to change the oil in their vehicle? Would you do that for them and let them use that money for something else they need?

Just One Person's View on the possibilities of making a hard life a little easier. Get involved! Do something don't just read about it and say what damn shame it is.

Have a great weekend and help someone else do the same.

Monday, September 13, 2010

The Wisdom of Children

Those of us who are old enough to remember Art Linkletter will always remember a segment of his show he called "Kids say the darnedest things." As children across America venture out into their first year of school one first grade teacher shows us how right Mr. Linkletter was.

She collected well known proverbs and gave each child in her class half of a proverb. Then, she asked them to complete the remainder of it. The insight these six year-olds display may surprise you. And, they will definitely help start your week with a smile.

  • Better to be safe than ..................................................punch a 5th grader.
  • Strike while the ...........................................................bug is close.
  • It's always darkest before .............................................Daylight Savings Time.
  • Never underestimate the power of .................................termites.
  • You can lead a horse to water but ..................................how?
  • Don't bite the hand that .................................................looks dirty.
  • No news is ...................................................................impossible.
  • A miss is as good as ......................................................a mister.
  • You can't teach an old dog .............................................new math.
  • If you lay down with dogs, you'll ....................................stink in the morning.
  • Love all, trust ................................................................me.
  • The pen is mightier than ..................................................the pigs.
  • An idle mind is ...............................................................the best way to relax.
  • Where there's smoke there's ............................................pollution.
  • Happy the bride who .......................................................gets all the presents.
  • A penny saved is .............................................................not much.
  • Two's company, three's ...................................................the Musketeers.
  • Don't put off till tomorrow what .......................................you put on to go to bed.
  • Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and ..........you have to blow your nose.
  • There are none so blind as ...............................................Stevie Wonder.
  • Children should be seen and not .......................................spanked or grounded.
  • If at first you don't succeed ..............................................get new batteries.
  • You get out of something only what you ........................... see in the picture in the box.
  • When the blind leadeth the blind ........................................get out of the way.
      And the overall favorite:
  • Better late than ................................................................pregnant!!!
Have a great week.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Nine Years Ago

Today will be filled with memorial events of the tragic attack on our country. Yet, my mind seems to be more focused not on September 11th, 2001 but rather September 12th of that year.

It was a day when the impact of the suicide attacks really took hold. Flags were proudly flown on our vehicles, our buildings and every imaginable place. America came together. Americans joined together in a common unity. This is OUR country that was attacked.

Churches, Synagogues, and yes, even Mosques were filled with those praying for our losses.   The attack was on the very soul of our great nation. And, as in the past, when our country is attacked there is no division between our citizens. We are united.

Strangers spoke to one another and joined together to help those they have never met. On that fateful day everyday men and women were heroes rushing to help. In the days that followed people from across our land gave of themselves to help those who suffered.

Yet, somehow, over the passage of time it seems we have fallen back into a more selfish mode. The unity we had for time has faded. Our great nation is again divided in so many areas.

I can't help but wonder what happened. The values and hopes we all shared on September 12th are still there, we simply need to remember them and return to the mindset we shared nine years ago.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

A SPECIAL EDITION

A so called Christian church in Gainesville, Florida seems to have lost its way or, has elected to totally ignore the teachings of the one it claims to follow ... Jesus Christ.

This Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the attack by radical Islamists against the United States, this no less radical church plans to burn copies of the Koran. To the Muslim community the Koran is their Holy Book, no different than the Bible is to the Christian community.

According to the Bible, Christ gave his followers two commandments. One is: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13:34).

The Dove World Outreach Center claims to be a New Testament Church based on the Bible. At least that it what it professes on its website. Perhaps its pastor, Terry Jones, needs to read the Bible that church says it follows.

Burn the Koran? Book burning has a long and dark history. One of the more famous, or infamous, took place on May 10, 1933 when the Nazi regime burned the books it considered "un-German." The burning of books is recorded as far back as 213 BC by Qin Shi Huang in China.

In 1821, the writer Heinrich Heine wrote: "Where they burn books, they will end in burning human beings."

Indirectly Heine could be prophetic. Such an action will put our military at greater risk. Not just from the Taliban and those they facing in combat but the entire Islamic population. Where they are treated as friends now, they will be seen as enemies, simply by association with a handful of Christian fanatics. As a side note, the word fanatic has its roots in the word fantasy and these few people are certainly living in a fantasy world putting the rest of the world in jeopardy.

My stand on organized religion is not a secret. Although, I accord respect to those who believe and try to live their lives as their beliefs may dictate. However, this group and all those who tend to follow them, do not deserve the respect of any thinking individual.

To my knowledge, there is not a religion anywhere whose prayers and intercessions do not include peace for our fragile world. I wonder what their reaction would be if a splinter group of some religion decided to burn the Bible on Christmas or Easter.

Padre Pio, a Capuchin priest who is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, wrote in a letter in 1812: "The Devil does not want to lose this battle. He takes on many forms." 

In this One Person's Views, maybe Padre Pio's thoughts are right.

This self-proclaimed outreach is not only a threat to our national security but a disgrace to the Christian community. If they follow through with their plans, the Dove World Outreach Center will have accomplished more to harm our troops and their mission than any group carrying weapons.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Happy Labor Day

Any Monday that is a holiday is usually a good day for most people. For months I have tried to keep Mondays as a day to begin the week with a smile or at least to give you food for thought or that may serve as ammunition to drive your friends and co-workers a little nuts. 

Here are a few for this week:
  • There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.
  • If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. 
  • A penny saved is a government oversight.
  • The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends.
  • The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
  • He who hesitates is probably right.
  • If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
  • The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he/she can tell when they're really in trouble.
  • Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.
  • How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.
  • Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them.
  • If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?
  • Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!
  • Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.
  • We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors ... but they all have to learn to live in the same box.
  • A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
  • Once over the hill, you pick up speed.
  • If not for STRESS I'd have no energy at all.
  • Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.
  • Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have any film.
  • You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.
Have a great week.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Attention Men ! ! !

During the past three months I've learned a valuable lesson. It is a simple one and something too many guys take for granted. Being a housewife is no easy task.

According to the Unites States Department of Labor, if you had to pay to have all the chores done in a home it would amount to a little over $1,130 per week, or $58,916 a year. And that's is without any children at home. If there are children, up the pay to $2,208 a week or $114,816 per year.

Sometimes it seems the work is never ending. Cleaning and vacuuming, laundry, selecting a menu and shopping, cooking, washing dishes, making the bed, taking care of the cat, taking the trash out and, in general, making sure it is a seamless job.

Should children be added to the task, we need to include child care, being a chauffeur, a recreation coordinator and tutor.

Three months ago my wife was hospitalized for a week and taking care of me became easy. At least for me it did. If I got hungry I'd eat and many times in a restaurant so I didn't have to cook and dirty anything I'd need to clean later. Laundry ... no big deal she had done it before her illness, I had plenty of clean clothes. Make the bed ... why?

Then she came home and for a while was unable to do many of these things. But, she recovered and I was relieved both that she was doing well and that she could once again accomplish things she had always done.

That was short lived. A fall in the garden fractured the orbit of one eye and reconstructive surgery was needed. Suddenly, I became chief cook and bottle washer. We had always shared household chores but this was different. I had the total responsibility for our home. Guys, NEVER take your wife's, girlfriend's or significant other's contribution for granted in your everyday life.

It seems the more I did, the more I realized there was still something else that needed to be done. When is the last time you cleaned your refrigerator? Or changed the sheets on the bed? How about cleaning the toilet? Somehow or other those jobs just seemed to have gotten done and we've never noticed.

Now, I have a greater appreciation of what it takes to make a house a home. A wise person once said: "Love makes a house a home." And now I know it's not just because it's clean and everything is done. It is because it is truly a massive amount of work and it is accomplished not for monetary gain or for accolades, it is simply because your significant other loves you and is happy when they see you are happy.

Once my wife is fully recovered and decides she needs to the things I've so poorly attempted I know the presents I'll give her. Sometime in the future I'll hire a service to come in and do all the household chores for a few days just to give her a break. I'll surprise her with breakfast or dinner out more often. And I'll be more aware about which clothes I wear when I'm doing something I know might stain them.

Just another thought ... should everything go to hell in a hand basket in your relationship ... Don't show her this blog. She might think a good divorce attorney could add back pay for all the years she's been "just a housewife."

Monday, August 30, 2010

The Chinese Are Here

For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation.

Following World War II the communists led by MAO Zedong imposed strict controls that seemed to leave the country stagnant in the world's competitive markets. After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled.

China is just slightly smaller in area compared to the United States but its population, according to the Central Intelligence Agency, is 1,338,612,968 (July 2010 est.). Not only is it the most populated country in the world but China now holds nearly half the $2.37 trillion stock of the U.S. Treasury debt held by "foreign official" owners, according to Simon Johnson, an economics professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a former chief economist for the International Monetary Fund.

Well, let's see ... they greatly outnumber us, they are ranked second in world economy having overtaken Japan. The United States is still ranked number one. And, in the vernacular of those of us raised in the south, we (the U.S.A.) owe them an ass load of money. Maybe it's time to learn how to speak Chinese.

Always trying to stay ahead of the curve, One Person's Views has assembled a quick and easy primer: "How To Speak Chinese in 5 Minutes." In order for this lesson to be effective you MUST read each word out loud.
  • That's not right.                                             Sum Ting Wong
  • Are you harboring a fugitive?                         Hu Yu Hai Ding
  • See me ASAP.                                              Kum Hia Nao
  • Stupid man.                                                  Dum Fuk
  • Small horse.                                                Tai Ni Po Ni
  • Did you go to the beach?                              Wai Yu So Tan
  • I bumped into the coffee table                      Ai Bang Mai Fa Kin Ni
  • I think you need a face lift.                            Chin Tu Fat
  • It's very dark in here.                                    Wao So Dim 
  • I thought you were on a diet.                         Wai Yu Mun Ching
  • This is a tow away zone.                               No Pah King
  • Our meeting is scheduled for next week.       Wai Yu Kum Nao
  • Staying out of sight.                                       Lei Ying Lo
  • He's cleaning his automobile.                        Wa Shing Ka
  • Your body odor is offensive.                        Yu Stin Ki Po
  • Great!                                                           Fa Kin Su Pah
Now that I've managed to offend a large segment of the world ... I hope you have a great week!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

More Alike Than Different

It seems there has not been a national news cast or perhaps a major newspaper that has not carried the ongoing story of the Mosque to be built in New York City near the site of the September 11th attack. People are lining up on both sides of the issue and demonstrating in their belief.

One of the goals of One Person's Views is to generate thinking of individuals. Regardless of the side you elect to support here are a few things that will illustrate how the three major religions, Christianity, Judaism and Muslim are much more alike than they are different.

Together, the followers of these three beliefs compromise over half of humanity. The grim realities of contemporary politics aside, similarities between the three religions vastly outnumber the differences. These similarities include shared perspectives on God, creation, faith, prayer, history, ethics, and contemporary concerns such as war, terrorism, ecology, and so on.

The Hebrew Bible, roughly corresponds to what Christians call the “Old Testament.” It is comprised of the Torah (the first five books, the books of the Prophets, and the Writings (Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and I and II Chronicles).

The Christian Bible comprises the books of the Hebrew Bible along with additional books, collectively called the “Old Testament,” and the “New Testament,” consisting of twenty-seven books in total, written during the first two centuries AD.

The Qur'an differs from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament in two fundamental ways. First, it is understood by Muslims to be the direct speech of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the medium of the archangel Gabriel over the course of 23 years. Second, its composition was limited to a comparatively short span of time.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam share the concept of an all-powerful creator God who fashions the universe and everything in it.

“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” (Genesis 1: 1-3)

“To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth; when He decreeth a matter, He saith to it: ‘Be’; and it is.” (Qur'an 2: 117)

Not much difference here.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam have in common the notion that one God governs the world and all of creation.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone." (Deuteronomy 6: 4-5)

“There is no God but one." (1 Corinthians 4: 4-6)

“And your God is one God; there is no god but He Most Gracious, Most Merciful."  (Qur'an 2: 163-164)

It would take pages and pages to continue listing the similarities. I could cite them with regards to Moses, to death and resurrection, marriage and even paradise or heaven. But perhaps it would be  illuminating to illustrate where all three beliefs are joined in commonality, the topic of war. All three also look forward to an era when social justice will be established on the earth and war will no longer be necessary.

“He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2: 4)

“Do not repay evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." (Romans 12: 17)

“Those who avoid the greater crimes and shameful deeds, and, when they are angry even then forgive." (Qur'an 42: 37)

In this One Person's Views I can't help but wonder why so many have died in the name of religion when they are so much alike in their tenants. Maybe, just maybe, if people read things as they were meant rather than as they wanted to mean there would one day be peace.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Warped Musings

Last night I happened to wander into a well known national chain of stores who prides itself on being open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It started my somewhat warped thought process and I began to wonder about a few things. Since it's Monday, a new week, I thought perhaps you could irritate your friends and co-workers with some of the musings.

Driving away from this store I began to wonder, if it is open 24/7 all year long, why do they have locks on the door?

While on the topic of stores, a well known national chain of drug stores promotes healthy living and even offers suggestions on its website. Yet, when you enter one of their stores, all the health related items are at the very back of the store while cigarettes and tobacco related items are all right up front making them more accessible. And, the liquor and beer is usually in the middle of the place. Who in their right mind is going to walk another 10 yards for some soy protein drink when they can stop and get a beer?

In some parts of the country a staple of late night advertising is the telephone psychic. According to their ad, a psychic will answer the phone and help you. The spot shows a woman answering the phone, introducing herself and then asking for the caller's name and asking how can she help them. This is an individual that professes to have some form of ESP (extrasensory perception). If they're really a psychic would they already know that?

A clue that something may not be quite right can be found in many of our nation's newspapers' classified ads. Specifically, the "help wanted" section. When I was in Tucson a few years ago a newspaper carried a help wanted listing that read in part: "Psychics needed. No experience necessary. Will Train."

And who was the genius that coined the term "rush hour" when it's the time of day with the slowest traffic?

Today's economy seems to be forcing mergers of various banks and corporations. I wonder if Fedex and UPS merged would the new entity be called FedUP? How about Grey Poupon and Docker Pants? Just think ... Poupon Pants. And last but not least, what if Knott's Berry Farm and the National Organization of Women joined forces ..... maybe KnottNOW?

Have a great week!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Priorities and Responsibilities

In the past I have rarely used my blog as a forum for personal issues, although I have personalized many issues that have made the headlines. This week has been a week of personal priorities rather than outside interests such as One Person's Views. It has also served to make me more acutely aware of priorities and responsibilities.

The past decades have been a contrast in our society of priorities and responsibilities. If I were asked to actually list the how I saw the decades during my life, as I remember them, I would do it like this:
  • 1950s   Family, job and self. 
  • 1960s   Personal exploration, freedom and social consciousness.
  • 1970s   Conflict, social change and confusion.
  • 1980s   Conformation, affluence and greed.
  • 1990s   A continuation of the me generation and being politically correct.
  • 2000s   Fear, lack of trust and cautiousness.
The above is the way I see society in our country either acting or reacting for those periods. While I am not a sociologist, I would also venture to guess the American family has suffered. During each period there seems to a growing division between priorities and responsibilities.

Priorities, in this One Person's View, have changed from family to self and responsibilities have become something someone else should have done. There is a segment of our society that has always and will always continue to live their lives with integrity. Demanding the most from themselves not for themselves.

They are the one percent (approximately) of our military who make up our elite units. Units such as Special Forces, SEALS, Force Recon and the Air Force's SOF (Special Operations Force), which includes the PJs, the pararescuemen. Based very much on the motto of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point "Duty, Honor, Country." This one percent lives each day with this ingrained in their minds and it is not limited to just their military career.

Looking at this weeks varied headlines I can't help but wonder what percentage of the American population would fall into such a category. I recall two old sayings they are direct opposites but it does bring a question to mind. The first saying is: "The cream rises to the top." Describing the best. The second is simply "Shit floats." Painting a picture of the opposite.

The dilemma is twofold. First, how do you tell which is which? Second, and more importantly: which are you?

Just something to think about. Have a great weekend!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Shameless Promotion

It has been nearly six months since I launched "One Person's Views" and I appreciate all the feedback that has been received. During the past half a year I have tried to address issues that have been in the headlines and some that, I felt, simply needed to be addressed. Of course, there have been the humorous pieces that I hope brought a smile.

Since the inception of my blog nearly 800 visited the site. That's an average of a little more than 133 people a month who have seen the blog. In the second six months I would like to double that number. Now comes the shameless promotion ... if you enjoy what you read here simply copy the address http://onepersonsviews.blogspot.com and send it on to those who you have in your email address book.

If you have a suggestion for a future blog topic, please send me your idea. I'll tackle any topic or address any issue you feel may be of interest. Just bear in mind, we may not agree in our views but we certainly have the right to agree to disagree. If you read a piece you strongly disagree with, let me know and include your reasons. On the other hand, if you enjoy a particular blog entry it's nice receiving comments on that as well.

Now, since it is the beginning of a new week and I've tried to establish a tradition for starting the week with a smile, here is a short suggestion for this week.

The next time someone asks you your birth date just tell them the month and and the day. If they press the issue and ask you: "What year?" Just tell them: "Every year."

Have a great week!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

America's Foundation

The weekend is upon us and millions across our vast nation will spend at least part of their time praying to their God of choice. Some will gather on Friday, some on Saturday and a vast majority on Sunday. They will congregate in mosques, synagogues or churches. It is a right guaranteed under the United States Constitution.

The First Amendment of this historic document reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

While I am no proponent of organized religion, I am a fierce advocate in the rights our Constitution provides. Whether or not you agree or disagree with the building of a mosque in the shadow of New York's September 11th terror attack actually doesn't matter. As our current president pointed out, it is a local issue and as long as they meet all the local laws and ordinances our founding fathers guaranteed them this right.

It seems, as a population, we have short memories. It was not that long ago synagogues were defaced and even bombed. African-American churches had crosses burned in front of them and in some areas, Catholic and Latter Day Saints (Mormon) churches were targets of discontent.

Our nation has existed for 236 years and it has not been without periods of some form of religious turmoil. I am not referring to scandals that have rocked many of the organized religions, I am referring to those who did not fit in the mainstream. Those whose beliefs differed from their neighbors.

Less than 50 years ago Jews were not welcomed into many country clubs or hotels. Mormons were castigated for their lifestyle and Catholics viewed with suspicion. Now, in light of recent events, yet another "different" religion is drawing fire and they are being painted with a broad brush as evil, much the same as in earlier times and other faiths.

Perhaps, the choice of sites for the New York City place of worship could be considered insensitive. Yet, it might also be considered a memorial by some of the Islamic faith for there were also Muslims killed in the twin towers and they weren't aboard the planes. 

The First Amendment doesn't say anything about tolerance or what belief is right. It simply guarantees the right to exercise a religious belief; as well as the freedom to speak out and peaceably protest. All of which some parts of our society are enjoying.

In this one person's view, it seems in today's America people pick and choose the Constitutional right they feel fits them and disregards the rights it affords others. Once more, as several of my previous blogs note, we should be building our country on the very diversity that has made it great instead of turning diversity into divisiveness.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Could Snake Venom Cure Cancer?

Living in southwest Florida is a man some have simply called "snake man." He is Bill Haast, a researcher and herpetologist. I first became acquainted with him when I was a teenager in Miami and he owned the Miami Serpentarium.

He became renown for injecting himself with Cobra venom and the venom of other deadly serpents eventually developing a near immunity to those fatal bites. In his heyday he was flown around the world to hospitals where people who were bitten by rare snakes would have died without his blood. Over the years, he developed antivenin serums that were shipped world-wide and have saved countless lives.

Bill's biography, Cobras in His Garden is now out of print. A check of eBay minutes ago discovered one copy for sale for $119.

I recall sitting with him, in his lab, many years ago as he spoke about cancer. He was explaining to me how he had been able to separate various components from the venom of a Cobra. He noted there was a component that causes necrosis of the tissue. A common occurrence in venomous snake bites.

Ever inquisitive and always the researcher, he expressed the possibility of injecting this component into cancer tumors. The logical response he thought would be the necrosis or death of these cells. A simple cure? It seems the reasoning behind this notion makes sense. Yet, I cannot find where anyone is pursuing such a radical idea.

In the 1970s, along with his friend, respected physician Ben Sheppard, Bill distributed PROven, a venom based serum. Sheppard gave injections to his patients with Multiple Sclerosis with reportedly great success, even 60 Minutes reported on it.  But the FDA shut it down and banned the drug saying it had not been properly tested for humans. Such is the case with other drugs he was instrumental in developing that were used in many countries except, the United States.

According to one reputable organization there are 1,500 cancer deaths per day. The National Cancer Institute spent more that $311 million dollars in 2009. And that's just one entity. It's estimated we as a nation spend a little less than $1 billion dollars a year. And the money goes to reputable institutions and individuals with various degrees and initials after their names.

Maybe that is part of the problem. Bill Haast, who was born in 1910, doesn't have the academic degrees to support his theories. Even though he is a respected researcher. His mind and his passion has saved countless lives but his simple notions of what could be probably won't be because he's still seen by many as the "snake man."

Monday, August 9, 2010

State Mottos

Sometimes they are included as a part of a vehicle license plate, other times they can be found as part of the state seal and nearly always they are on the welcome sign as you drive into a state. They are state mottos, they are a phrase that is meant to formally describe the motivation or an intention.

Yet, with all the pompousness of the bureaucracy, I thought a good way to begin another week would be to reexamine the mottos and suggest ones that are more apropos of the state. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Alabama - Hell Yes We Have Electricity.
  • Alaska - 11,623 Eskimos Can't Be Wrong.
  • Arizona - Passport Please.
  • Arkansas - Litterasy Ain't Everything. 
  • California - By 30 Our Women Have More Plastic Than Your Honda.
  • Colorado - If You Don't Ski ... Don't Bother.
  • Connecticut - Like Massachusetts Only Dirtier With Less Character.
  • Delaware - We Really Do Like The Chemicals In Our Water.
  • Florida - Ask Us About Our Grandkids.
  • Georgia - We put the "Fun" In Fundamentalism.
  • Hawaii - Haka Tiki Mou Sha'ami Leeki Toru (..... Leave Your Money).
  • Idaho - More Than Just Potatoes, Well Okay, We're Not, But They're Good.
  • Illinois - Please Don't Pronounce The "S".
  • Indiana - Two Billion Years Tidal Wave Free.
  • Iowa - We Do Amazing Things With Corn.
  • Kansas - Where Science Don't Mean Squat.
  • Kentucky - Five Million People; 15 Last Names. 
  • Louisiana - We're Not All Drunk Cajuns But That's Our Tourism Campaign.
  • Maine - We're Really Cold But We Have Cheap Lobster.
  • Maryland - If You Can Dream It, We Can Tax It.
  • Massachusetts - Our Taxes Are Lower Than Sweden's. (In most tax brackets)
  • Michigan - First Line Of Defense From Canadians.
  • Minnesota - 10,000 Lakes and 10 million mosquitoes.
  • Mississippi - Come And Feel Better About Your Own State.
  • Missouri - Your Federal Flood Relief Dollars At Work.
  • Montana - Land Of The Big Sky, The Unabomber, Right-Wing Crazies And Little Else.
  • Nebraska - Ask About Our State Motto Contest.
  • Nevada - Hookers and Poker.
  • New Hampshire - Go Away And Leave Us Alone.
  • New Jersey - You Want A $#@%&( Motto? I Got Yer %%#%( Motto Right Here!
  • New Mexico - Lizards Make Great Pets.
  • New York - You Have The Right To Remain Silent ....
  • North Carolina - Tobacco Is A Vegetable.
  • North Dakota - We Really Are One Of The 50 States.
  • Ohio - At Least We're Not Michigan.
  • Oklahoma - Like The Play, Only No Singing.
  • Oregon - Spotted Owl ... It's What's For Dinner.
  • Pennsylvania - Cook With Coal.
  • Rhode Island - We're Not Really An Island.
  • South Carolina - Remember The Civil War? We Didn't Actually Surrender.
  • South Dakota - Closer Than North Dakota.
  • Tennessee - The Educashun State.
  • Texas - Se Habla Ingles (We Speak English).
  • Utah - Our Jesus Is Better Than Your Jesus.
  • Vermont - Yep
  • Virginia - Who Says Government Stiffs And Slackjaw Yokels Don't Mix?
  • Washington - We're Overrun By Nerds.
  • West Virginia - One Big, Happy Family - - Really!
  • Wisconsin - Come Cut Our Cheese.
  • Wyoming - Where Men And Sheep Are Sacred.
No matter where you live there is one motto we should adopt as our national motto. "America Has The Best Politicians Money Can Buy."

 Have a great week.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Lives Lost, Arrests Made and Money Spent

Yesterday's headline on an Associated Press story read: "Mexico: 28,000 killed in drug violence since 2006." A staggering number but delve even deeper and we find the numbers in our own country are frightening.

According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, a federally funded resource of the Department of Justice and Executive Office of the President, an estimated 12.8 million Americans, aged 12 and older use illegal drugs on a current basis. I spent a fair amount of time trying to track down a credible number regarding the numbers of deaths as a result of drug use only to discover there appears to be no one reputable source that compiles such statistics. Although research does indicate the numbers of in the tens of thousands.

As far as money spent, so far this year, the combined federal and state expenditures in the war against drugs exceeds $30 billion.

One Federal Bureau of Investigation report, released last September, stated a drug arrest is made every 18 seconds in America.

We have our military involved in intercepting the flow of illegal drugs into our nation. Our men and women in uniform are working in several foreign countries, at the request of those governments, to help eradicate and stem the flow of illegal drugs.

What is the answer? How do we win this seemingly endless war? I wish I had an answer.

The money derived from illegal drugs exceeds many nations annual budgets. That money doesn't come from the bedraggled soul you see on the streets feeding his or her habit. Many Americans believe that drug abuse is not their problem. They have misconceptions that drug users belong to a segment of society different from their own or that drug abuse is remote from their environment. They are wrong. Almost three quarters of drug users are employed and approximately 45 percent of Americans know someone with a substance abuse problem.

The violent deaths in Mexico and other countries south of our border are directly related to drug use in the United States. The simple fact is if there were no demand for the product there would be no battle for the money it generates.

Our prisons are overcrowded, our law enforcement personnel are overwhelmed, our money is poured into a seemingly black hole. Maybe an idea from centuries ago would help solve the problem. The United States owns, and controls, several sparsely populated islands. Remember the infamous penal colonies of the French and English (Can you say Australia or Devil's Island?). Majority of these are in the south pacific, let's send the drug dealers and the consumers who are arrested and convicted to an island paradise where they're on their own. Sink or swim ... the survival of the fittest. The only expense we would have is that of transporting them. Perhaps the fear of what lay ahead would be a greater deterrent than anything we have tried so far.

Ah! But the scream of Civil Rights would be heard on the moon from various groups. In this one person's view, civil rights be damned until those who contribute this massive problem become civil themselves and quit poisoning our society.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Corporate Mentality vs Common Sense

Over the years I have served as a consultant to many Fortune 500 companies. The areas I have covered usually have been within the scope of legal compliance with such things as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety), a host of human resource issues and the psychological responses of those dealing with the public, as well as stress relief for employees.

In today's society, being so computer dependent and litigatious conscious, it seems corporations have become so dependent on various computer-assisted interview (CAI) tools they fail to rely on interview skills and personal observations. The reliance on non-personal assessments instead of common sense, which may not be so common anymore, has more and more qualified people slipping though the cracks instead of becoming assets to a company.

Twenty years ago I began consulting as a favor to some friends out of the den of our house. Within months I discovered this was not going to work, I needed an office. But an office means employees and overhead. I found an office, or more appropriately, half of an office complex. To run it with some semblance of efficiency I needed someone to help ... an assistant capable of juggling administrative, secretarial and other assorted tasks.

A classified ad was placed and dozens of potential employees interviewed. They ranged from individuals with M.B.A.s to a girl whose only experience was working at a cookie place in a mall. Combing over resumes and applications one person kept rising to the top of the list. It was the girl from the mall. She hand an innate quality that could not be defined. When I asked her why she thought she could do the job she answered: "Why do you think you can?" I hired her.

Two years later the firm had grown to encompass 23 offices in 17 states. The girl from the mall? She and two others,  who had been hired when I didn't know if I would make payroll, were the cornerstones of the corporation, even with many personnel having degrees on the payroll.

Call it intuition or gut-feeling but without them I would not have been nearly as successful. And all without the aid of CAI. Incidentally, according to a study from a prominent industrial and organizational psychologist, such computer-assisted interviews and assessments show, on average, less than a 50 percent validity compared to traditional methods.

In every business the bottom line is the defining factor for many decisions. Perhaps, in this one person's view, the added expense of the time consuming interviews and personal interaction between prospective employees and a company would end up, in the long run, saving them money and increasing a more viable and productive workforce.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Today in History

Sitting with my laptop open and the desktop staring at me I pondered about the contents of today's blog. Current events? Satire? Editorialize? Then I wondered what happened in the past on July 30th and I discovered some interesting events that have affected our society today. Some I just had to add my comments about.

In 1839 a ship used primarily to bring slaves to America was overtaken by rebel slaves. The name of the ship ... the Amistad.

In 1863, President Lincoln issues what is called the "eye-for-eye" order, according to several history publications. That order simply stated to shoot a rebel prisoner for every black prisoner shot. I wonder how the ACLU would feel about that today.

Three years later, on this date, in the City of New Orleans two events occurred. One was a race riot, the other was the New Orleans' Democratic government ordered police to raid an integrated Republican Party meeting, killing 40 and injuring 150 people.

In 1898 Will Kellogg invents Corn Flakes.

Fast forward to 1948. Professional wrestling premieres on a prime-time network. Does anyone remember the DuMont Television Network? It was considered the fourth network and had a life span from 1946 to 1956.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in 1956, signed a joint resolution of Congress authorizing "In God We Trust" as the national motto. Considering the state of our nation's economy maybe we should amend it by adding: "All Others Pay Cash."

And senior citizens take heed. Today is the day to get up at the crack of noon and party until it's time for the early bird dinner special at your favorite eating place. In 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill establishing Medicare.

Finally, let us wish Giorgio Vasari, an Italian painter and art historian a happy birthday. If had he lived until today he would be 499 years old. 

Have a great weekend.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Oh No ! Another Law ??? Caveat Amator

There is a bill that was introduced into the Massachusetts legislature this year that is absolutely scary. Picture a possible scenario ... sitting in a cocktail lounge and you strike up a conversation with a member of the opposite sex. A little while later you are consensually engaged in the throes of passion and the sharing of mutual pleasures. An unusual occurrence? Hardly.

Now, fast forward to a few days later. You're sitting in jail charged with a crime because you lied. You told the other individual you're single, divorced or lost your spouse and it turns out you're married. While I'm not condoning such action, we all know it happens all the time. But the bill would allow you to be charged with "rape by deception." A game changer for thousands of people.

Perfect honesty in the age-old quest to get laid? Has that ever been a factor? For either gender?

A story, reported by the Associated Press today, tells of a Palestinian man who was sentenced to 18 months in jail for having sex with an Israeli woman after giving her the impression he was single, Jewish and interested in a relationship. He was convicted of "rape by deception."

The 30-year old, father of two, said he was approached by the woman on a downtown Jerusalem street where he had parked his motorcycle. Within 30 minutes of their initial encounter they were having consensual sex in the stairwell of an office building.

In sentencing the man, the judge wrote: "If she hadn't thought the accused was a single Jewish man interested in a serious romantic relationship, she would not have cooperated."

A "serious romantic relationship?" Having sex in a stairwell within 30 minutes of having said hello? Damn! And all of these folks spending money for speed dating and online matching sites ... what a waste of money.

Massachusetts' legislators say without the new legislation, police and prosecutors are virtually helpless when someone reports a rape that occurred because the victim was deceived or tricked into consenting. They cited a case in western Massachusetts in which a woman consented to intercourse with her boyfriend's brother because he claimed to be the brother.

Do I really need to add a caustic comment for the woman's mental prowess?

Four states, California, Tennessee, Alabama and Michigan already have statues on the books regarding "rape by fraud." In California a man was charged because he had sex with a woman who believed he was her husband.

Not only does this have the potential for a major set back in the "dating game" but just think of all the cougars out there who need to be cautious.

Perhaps, in the one person's view, we could label this type of legislation as asinine; as taken from the Latin asinisus or asinus meaning 1) extremely or utterly foolish 2) of, relating to, or resembling an ass. Not my words but the definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

"Resembling an ass?" Isn't that what this whole thing is about?

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Religion is Dangerous

Bill Maher, an American stand-up comedian, social critic and political commentator, has often voiced his opinion regarding religion. One of my favorite quotes from him is: "I think religion is a neurological disorder."

Reading various pieces I have saved over the years I came across this one reprinted in The Memphis Flyer and written by columnist Ed Weathers. The article is quite lengthy and I have picked what I believe are the most relative portions to include here. The Memphis Flyer does include the caveat that it does not reflect the views of that publication. However, I can add it does reflect mine.  

Religion is superstition. It is mankind crossing its fingers. Its sole functions are 1) to comfort and console those who cannot bear the suffering and death that are ultimately the lot of every human being, and 2) to offer meaning in a world where meaning can never be established. 

On balance religion has made the world a worse place. It has generated magnificent art and wonderful music, and spectacular architecture, and millions of people have, over the centuries, done good and beautiful things in its name, but on balance it has not been good for the world. Those millions of good people would have done just as much good without it. Mother Teresa would have been saintly without the New Testament. Martin Luther King would have been a paragon of eloquent courage without being baptized. Ghandi would have overturned an empire leaning on his walking stick. Virtue would exist without Christianity or Judaism or Islam or Hinduism, which in their vanity and vaporishness, are no different than the Roman's belief in household gods or the Druid's belief in tree spirits. A magic act is a magic act, whatever robes we clothe it in. But because of religions like these the world has experienced centuries and centuries of backwardness and unnecessary suffering. Throats have been slit in their name, hearts exploded, the best minds distracted or destroyed, sweet people tortured, millions of children sent horribly to oblivion.  

It Has To Be Said 

Perhaps the worst of religion's dangerous superstitions is the notion of the "holy" place. That this patch of earth or that building or that city or nation is somehow sanctified by some god has left us with the bombs and guns and bodies of Kashmir and Belfast, of Bagdad and Jerusalem. What is land but land? What is a building but a building? 

There are wars enough when "holy" is not part of the picture. There are land wars and economic wars and grudge wars and wars for no reason anyone can understand at all. But religious wars are the most tragic, because they are built so deeply on a deluded sense of righteousness. Have non-believers started wars? Of course! They have started wars for land or politics or pure villainy. But I don't know of a single non-believer who has killed simply to make others stop believing. Stalin you might say? No, he killed for power. On the other hand the world has thousands, millions, who will kill, and have killed, in order to make someone else believe as they believe. 

I wish the Near and Middle East would suddenly be flooded with a sea of atheism. I wish other areas of the world would overnight experience religious amnesia. How much more at peace the world would be. 

A man truly awake does not need religion. He doesn't need gods. He doesn't need miracles. He doesn't need holy lands here below or celestial heavens up above. For him, life in this universe is itself holy, as is every patch of ground and every path he walks. Life itself is enough of a miracle. To believe in a god who made this life is to believe in a miracle even greater than this miracle. Who needs more than one unfathomable miracle? Existence is a fluke, a freak, a wonder, a dream, a bizarre uncanny thing. Our own conciousness of this existence is so incredible, a phenomenom that I don't understand why anyone feels the need to believe in anything else more "spiritual." It's all "spiritual." It's all true magic. Why add imagined magic to explain the magic that is right before us? 

Religion is dangerous. It needs to be said. Our politicians won't say it. Our commentators won't say it. The power of self-censorship in this God-fearing country is too strong, freedom of speech be damned. I can say it here because this audience is so small and I have little to risk. (Will fifty of you read this? Will 500? I have no business you can boycott and no office you can vote me out of.)

Nearly all my friends are believers. Nearly all of those I love are believers. Most of them are generous and kind, and their religion gives them hope and comfort and pleasant society. I have seen many good works born in synagogues and church pews. But the non-believers I know are just as kind, just as loving, just as hopeful, and they have given just as much comfort to those in need.

To add this one person's view, I once read that a myth is based on something that no one has ever seen ... and this is how God got so far.

Have a great week and always open your mind, question and think.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Racism - The Elephant in the Room

It seems no one writes about racism unless they are nationally known or, a member of the media. It isn't discussed among politically correct society but like the proverbial elephant in the room it's there.

Yesterday, on national news broadcasts, we were informed of the firing of an Agriculture Department employee for a statement she made regarding a incident some 24 years ago. And she wasn't even a government employee at the time. Also, further probing revealed the statement was taken out of context and she did not discriminate in her actions.

The turn of events involved an Afro-American woman, who made a remark about helping a white farmer. She in fact helped him. The white farmer told an interviewer if it had not been for her assistance he would have lost his farm in Georgia.

I hope I'm NEVER considered politically correct. My one hope is that I'm considered honest and the realization I will not compromise my integrity for any cause. With that thought in mind, and with the hope of maybe provoking some thoughts of the reader this is simply One Person's Views on racism.

For any one person to stand and make the statement: "I am not prejudice" tells me they are either a liar or just plain full of sh**. We are human, we are different, and yes, to a degree, we are all prejudice whether it be biased for or against whites, blacks, Hispanics, Arabs, Jews, or any nationality or race. The best we can hope for is to acknowledge the fact and allow objective not subjective thinking color our decisions and the way we deal with people.

Throughout the history of the world great advances and discoveries have been made by people of all races and backgrounds. No one group has the corner on that market. And, no matter who made the discovery, everyone has benefited.

One example is Dr. Charles R. Drew, a black physician. In late 1940, before the United States entered World War II and during the time of segregation, Dr. Drew directed the Blood for Britain project. A program to aid British soldiers and civilians by giving U.S. blood to Britain. His methods and discoveries served to help form the basis of international blood banking still practiced today.

While it is true we are all different, in many ways we are all the same. Perhaps, the two most glaring examples of this are found universally ... on the battlefield and in the operating room.

In combat, it doesn't matter who is next to you. You trust them with your life and they trust you with their life. On the operating table, when the incision is made, the blood is the same color no matter the color or tint of their skin. And the surgeon sees only a patient who is trusting in his or her skill to return them to a life with a future.

If we put young children, toddlers, in a room together filled with other young ones of different races and nationalities, they will play together. They may exhibit some curiosity in the various colors or traits of their peers but there is no animosity, no hatred, no discrimination. They simply accept each other.

Racism is a learned behavior. We should learn from the children. There are good and bad in all peoples. Around the world people say they want peace. They talk about it, sing about it and pray about it. But, until we can emulate the little children and accept people for who and what they are, we will never have it.