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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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."