One of the seemingly stock stories on TV news features is that of a local veteran attending college. And, in fact this is a common occurrence just as the fact of our active duty personnel piling up college credits when and where they can.
Not long ago a Special Forces trooper was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan and was back in the states until his next deployment. In one of the courses he had a professor who was a vowed atheist, a member of the ACLU and Not In Our Name, an organization founded in 2002 to protest the U.S. government's course in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. (This organization was disbanded in 2008).
One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and raised his voice for all to hear and flatly stated: "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes."
The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed: "Here I am God. I'm still waiting." It got down to the last couple of minutes when a soldier wearing a green beret got out of his chair, went up to the professor and cold-cocked him, knocking him off the platform.
The soldier went back to his seat and sat there silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually regained consciousness and was noticeably shaken. He looked at the soldier and asked: "What the hell is the matter with you? Why did you do that?"
The man with the green beret and Special Forces and Ranger tabs on his uniform calmly replied: "God was too busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid shit and act like an asshole. So, He sent me."
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Civilized ? ? ?
In the wake of Saturday's events in Tucson, Arizona I can't help but wonder why anyone, anywhere would refer to our culture as "civilized."
To examine this description, the word itself, begs for such a question to be asked. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines the word civilized as: "Having a high state of culture and development both social and technological." It also gives another definition which is: "Marked by refinement in taste and manners."
After searching through many resources I was unable to find where to be civilized was to be portrayed as being mean-spirited, nasty, ignorant, self-serving, or just plain stupid. You know ... like Rush Limbaugh. (At least that's this one person's view).
I'm sure that will not endear me to some but I once had a T-shirt with big bold letters, C.S.I. emblazoned across the front and underneath was printed "Can't Stand Idiots."
The killing of six human beings and wounding another 12 people certainly isn't civilized. Some 2,300 miles away and about 12 hours later in Baltimore, Maryland two more people were killed and four more wounded at one location. I'm sure if I took the time to research in depth what occurred in that half day period there would be added instances of acts that defy the definition of civilized.
Among those who were slain in Tucson include a nine year-old girl, three senior citizens in their 70s, a Federal Judge, a Congressional staff member and a United States Congresswoman, who is believed to be the primary target. Across the country one of those gunned down was a police officer.
There has been some conjectures put forth that bitter, malevolent speech is responsible for such actions. In reading the various definitions of civilized I was surprised that I did not find the term "respect" linked anywhere. For to be civilized is also to be respectful. We can agree to disagree but we should not inflame those with whom we disagree.
We enjoy freedom of speech but with that freedom also comes the responsibility to be intelligent to choose our words carefully. I do not mean to be politically correct, I mean to assume the responsibility for maintaining dignity and integrity. Epithets and hate speech serve no purpose other than to agitate those who are seemingly incapable of thinking for themselves.
We all disagree with many thoughts and many people but most of us don't turn to violence. Here again it is a new year. Let's not just make a resolution to help each other but add to that to respect one another.
To examine this description, the word itself, begs for such a question to be asked. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines the word civilized as: "Having a high state of culture and development both social and technological." It also gives another definition which is: "Marked by refinement in taste and manners."
After searching through many resources I was unable to find where to be civilized was to be portrayed as being mean-spirited, nasty, ignorant, self-serving, or just plain stupid. You know ... like Rush Limbaugh. (At least that's this one person's view).
I'm sure that will not endear me to some but I once had a T-shirt with big bold letters, C.S.I. emblazoned across the front and underneath was printed "Can't Stand Idiots."
The killing of six human beings and wounding another 12 people certainly isn't civilized. Some 2,300 miles away and about 12 hours later in Baltimore, Maryland two more people were killed and four more wounded at one location. I'm sure if I took the time to research in depth what occurred in that half day period there would be added instances of acts that defy the definition of civilized.
Among those who were slain in Tucson include a nine year-old girl, three senior citizens in their 70s, a Federal Judge, a Congressional staff member and a United States Congresswoman, who is believed to be the primary target. Across the country one of those gunned down was a police officer.
There has been some conjectures put forth that bitter, malevolent speech is responsible for such actions. In reading the various definitions of civilized I was surprised that I did not find the term "respect" linked anywhere. For to be civilized is also to be respectful. We can agree to disagree but we should not inflame those with whom we disagree.
We enjoy freedom of speech but with that freedom also comes the responsibility to be intelligent to choose our words carefully. I do not mean to be politically correct, I mean to assume the responsibility for maintaining dignity and integrity. Epithets and hate speech serve no purpose other than to agitate those who are seemingly incapable of thinking for themselves.
We all disagree with many thoughts and many people but most of us don't turn to violence. Here again it is a new year. Let's not just make a resolution to help each other but add to that to respect one another.
Friday, January 7, 2011
A View of History
In my lifetime I have witnessed more events and more advances than any other generation in history.
The atomic age, space travel, the computer, lasers, organ transplants and so many others. I can watch an old science fiction movie and see how imaginative gadgets have become reality and even common place.
The other day I read an article about things babies born in 2011 will never know. It is equally as astounding as items I have watched pass by the wayside.
I remember when video tape replaced film, a major step forward for T.V. stations. Now, in this digital age the children born this year will only read about video tape. My generation grew up on books, magazines and newspapers. I hope there will always be books and not just the electronic kind. Yet, the kids born this year may well find stores that sell words written on dead trees will be about as numerous as record stores are today.
Paper maps, watches and wired phones will be relegated to museums. CDs, the Evening News, film cameras and fax machines will be a part of history.
Today many us carry a smart phone. That relatively small device connects us with almost everything imaginable. It can tell us where we are with GPS, allow us to research anything on the internet, take pictures and send them to our friends and yes ... we can even talk with someone, just like on an old-fashioned telephone that actually had wires.
The difference technology has made in our lives is beyond description. We can only imagine what the children of 2011 will witness in their lifetime. Whatever it may be, may it be in peace.
The atomic age, space travel, the computer, lasers, organ transplants and so many others. I can watch an old science fiction movie and see how imaginative gadgets have become reality and even common place.
The other day I read an article about things babies born in 2011 will never know. It is equally as astounding as items I have watched pass by the wayside.
I remember when video tape replaced film, a major step forward for T.V. stations. Now, in this digital age the children born this year will only read about video tape. My generation grew up on books, magazines and newspapers. I hope there will always be books and not just the electronic kind. Yet, the kids born this year may well find stores that sell words written on dead trees will be about as numerous as record stores are today.
Paper maps, watches and wired phones will be relegated to museums. CDs, the Evening News, film cameras and fax machines will be a part of history.
Today many us carry a smart phone. That relatively small device connects us with almost everything imaginable. It can tell us where we are with GPS, allow us to research anything on the internet, take pictures and send them to our friends and yes ... we can even talk with someone, just like on an old-fashioned telephone that actually had wires.
The difference technology has made in our lives is beyond description. We can only imagine what the children of 2011 will witness in their lifetime. Whatever it may be, may it be in peace.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
It's A New Year
To those who follow my blog I do apologize for the past few months which have produced nothing. But, it's a new year and many new thoughts and ideas that I will strive to post at least twice a week. Perhaps not on the same day each week but two times a week.
Many years ago I had a friend who was asked to describe me in three words or less. "That's easy," this individual said and went on to simply state: "A romantic idealist."
Often I have said one person can make a difference. Maybe that encompasses this person's observation. I firmly believe a single individual can make a difference. We may not be like Bill and Melissa Gates who can spend millions of dollars to affect a better world but we can individually brighten someones day.
People volunteer for hundreds of reasons and there are hundreds of organizations that can utilize their skills. As for me, I'm too undisciplined and too selfish to allow my time to be dictated. I prefer to do what I want when I want.
Many of us have seen a need for something and simply remarked something like: "There should be ...," or, "Somebody ought to .... " What is stopping you from addressing that issue ... from doing something? So many things can be done; how about helping a single mom by watching her kids for a few hours while she just has some time to herself and perhaps go to a movie or get her hair done. How about the senior citizen on a limited income and showing up at the house fully equipped to wash his or her car or fix a broken gate.
Vow to make this new year the year that YOU make a difference.
Many years ago I had a friend who was asked to describe me in three words or less. "That's easy," this individual said and went on to simply state: "A romantic idealist."
Often I have said one person can make a difference. Maybe that encompasses this person's observation. I firmly believe a single individual can make a difference. We may not be like Bill and Melissa Gates who can spend millions of dollars to affect a better world but we can individually brighten someones day.
People volunteer for hundreds of reasons and there are hundreds of organizations that can utilize their skills. As for me, I'm too undisciplined and too selfish to allow my time to be dictated. I prefer to do what I want when I want.
Many of us have seen a need for something and simply remarked something like: "There should be ...," or, "Somebody ought to .... " What is stopping you from addressing that issue ... from doing something? So many things can be done; how about helping a single mom by watching her kids for a few hours while she just has some time to herself and perhaps go to a movie or get her hair done. How about the senior citizen on a limited income and showing up at the house fully equipped to wash his or her car or fix a broken gate.
Vow to make this new year the year that YOU make a difference.
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