Is this who we want as our leader?

  In a stunning moment of divine translation, Republican Presidential hope Michelle Bachman has decreed the recent hurricane Irene to be an act of God, specifically to put Ms. Bachman into the presidency. 
  Really?  You mean it has nothing to do with a natural progression of storms that have been a part of this world for the known history and in fact presumably the last million years or more?  It's just God saying "vote Republican or you'll get more of this"?  Wow.
  And, in this moment of trial for thousands, millions even, of Americans who have seen their entire lives washed down the street, some even losing their lives, and now are dealing with the heartache and confusion of what to do, Ms. Bachman's response is not of compassion and help, it is of laughter and 'you deserved it because God did it.  Vote Republican.'  Billions of dollars in damage.... should really vote Republican.
  What about the little old lady who not only votes Republican in all things, still with a crush on Ronald Reagan, but works diligently for the GOP in all party elections?  Did she need to suffer also?  What did she do wrong, Ms. Bachman?  Or, how about the heat in Texas?  Is that because they are closer to the fires of hell and need to change their ways or the devil is going to get them....or could it be they are just much closer to the equator than say, oh...Minnesota, and thereby get a bit more of the heat.  I guess it all depends on what silly ass point you are trying to make, huh.
  How about the child who died, the family without power and losing their food and all possessions due to water damage?  What about the roads destroyed, the business destroyed, the mud and the water and the wreckage, and what about all the people out of work and homeless, afraid and hungry?  Well, I guess they should have voted Republican.  According to Ms. Bachman, you heathens had it coming.
 

The strange ways of our mind...

Hi Everyone;

  I haven't been posting so much lately, if you've not noticed already.  Sorry.  Just sort of busy and not quite so much to say.  But, when something does come up I like to share it. 
  I would like to take an aside and say that I'm adding to the two picture blogs - you can see these on the right - fairly frequently and that some of my less cerebral time goes there.  Of course, that indicates that there may be some cerebral activity going on here, which is not all so fair to presume.

  I was just reading on Time (http://moneyland.time.com/2011/08/26/how-consumers-fool-themselves-into-thinking-theyve-made-good-purchases/ ) about how we are manipulated in our shopping experiences.  I try to be wise in my purchases because I don't have the funds to venture into foolishness too often.  It was interesting in some avenues - specifically, I think, that we will spend more for products at easy reach than those not so simply attained.  I know for myself that when I am ready to purchase an item, and my toolbox at work is a great example of this, I'm ready to buy.  If that item isn't available right away, I'll go elsewhere and spend more for it rather than be patient.  Other times, I'm very patient and know I want something and what it costs before I make the purchase, so then wait until I find the "deal".
  Another interesting fact is locality.  That refers to area as well as time.  The manner in which foods are shown changes over the years.  The article used Clam Chowder as an example....in a generation past it was a thin soup.  Now it is very thick.... another is what is considered good food.  The article talked about an area where grasshoppers are fried and eaten and shrimp is considered garbage.  I recall reading where the new colonists to America were restricted to feeding their indentured servants lobster no more than 3-times a week.  Now it is a delicacy.
  So, having read that and beginning to think on the manner of manipulations we go through every day, I went on to see this video that I'll play below.  It was really interesting in the way that the very understanding of things, in a more simple and uneducated form, can influence purchase habits and value in other areas.
  I am interested in the psycho~social impact and value system this represents even to adults.  Please feel free to comment and maybe we can all learn a bit more about how we think.  Personally, I'm a bit intrigued.

The Sadly Real Story

Hi Friends;

  I was updating my understanding of the news and knows in our little community via a stop over to Milkboys.  http://www.milkboys.org/article/periodical-political-post-71/  The story of Indian Rep. Phil Hinkle being caught in an effort to have consensual intercourse with an adult teen posting his desires on Craig's List is not exactly news, but his actions since have been very interesting.
  To begin, the young man wrote an ad on Craig's list detailing his desire for a "sugar daddy".  Phil responded with an offer of $80 and a possible tip for a fun filled evening - I'll let you fill in the details for yourself.
  Now, to detail some issues:  Phil has held a decidedly anti-gay viewpoint, specifically in regards to so called "gay marriage".  In fact, he led the way on a full block of the issue in Indiana.
  His response to being quite caught in the above attempted prostitution of a young man, encouraging what some may call illicit and immoral acts for money has been "I'm sick and need help".  "I did nothing really illegal".  "We were going to talk baseball" (I believe that's a line from Jani Lane's Cherry Pie as well, but that could just be coincidence).  He has refused to step down as an Indiana Representative, though he has been stripped of his committee appointments and has been publicly asked to step down by the Indiana House Speaker.  Does that about cover things?

  Ok, so here is my point:  The fact that Phil Hinkle was caught in an attempted illicit homosexual affair is not the crime here. 

  The fact that Phil Hinkle felt he needed to hide his orientation and have these dark room affairs is the crime.

  The freedom that we as gay men and women strive for should not be now thrown in this man's face with laughter, meanness and 'gotcha' gloating at his being caught, it should lament the very need for him to be hiding and unwilling to be himself.  He was in a power position, and has lost it all for his inability to be himself.

  Furthering his distortion of his need for "a walk on the wild side" (Lou Reed), this old man did lasting damage.  His legislative efforts against the freedom we all hope for will not be tossed simply because he is in fact bisexual (at least), or even that he is actually duplicitous, two-faced, hypocrite.... you fill in the word... because the politicians really have no problem with any of that particular character trait.  No, his efforts will be held in esteem, quietly, and pushed forward simply because they further an agenda that decries homosexuality as immoral - no matter how many bodies they have to step over to be on the 'moral high ground'.

Thea Hopkins - Jesus Is On The Wire

 This song was written in dedication to the memory of Matthew Shepard.  Enjoy.

Do you remember him?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

  Hello Neighbor;

  I just saw a clip that Mr. Roger's Neighborhood was going to come back on the air in a pupped/cartoon format.  I thought that was, if I may use Scottie's term, Grand.  In my college courses, he actually came up a few times as a real pioneer in teaching through modeling.  Ever since watching him as a small child, I've learned best by watching someone do something and then trying the same thing myself...especially if I could get them to repeat it a few times.  So, hat's off to Fred.

  I recently went through some family troubles.  Yep, happens.  A wonderful and insightful friend showed me that I was being very concerned about what everyone else was going through and forgetting about that man in the mirror.  His words have been resonating with me ever since, to the point of having me unable to sleep a day later for the reverberating waves in my mind. 

  In searching this out, I found many cartoons and stylized phrases that spoke about respect for others, and even respect for oneself, but rarely do we hear about how we must sometimes stick up for ourselves.  We most often hear about being considerate and kind to others, to their belongings and their beliefs,... that sort of thing.  And, how quickly do we slide away from self concern as a position akin to selfishness.  And yet, our gift of life, liberty and even peace and happiness are only going to be protected by us, by each for his own.  The government can't give us self-respect.  Our religion can't.  Our family can't.  Really, it is a journey of self acceptance and discovery.  It is a learning process in which only we can be the teacher as well as the student.  We can be guided, taught a bit, even model it from someone like our lovable Fred Rogers, but in the end, only we - - only I can respect myself.

  And, sometimes, in order to respect myself, I must insist on being treated in a certain manner, a respectful manner.  And, as hard as it may be to require this, if someone isn't willing to respect me, then they are really unhealthy for me, aren't they?

  Is it so wrong that we should expect respect?  As a person, as a people group, we must not only know what we believe in and are willing to stand for, but also that we do not become other's doormat. 

  It's going to take some time.  I wasn't taught a great deal of self-respect growing up, instead having it drummed into my head how I needed to show respect for others instead.  So I need to learn this now, as an adult full of poor ways of doing things .....and this is going to take time.  But, it certainly feels right.

What is a man worth?

Be warned...a sad and difficult vid.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/08/17/opinion/cohen-racial-violence/index.html

  A shocking video, for sure.  And, in some minds are the words of hate ringing out.... perhaps saying that he shouldn't have been caught but otherwise congratulating the actions, and perhaps others rallying for the death penalty for this incomprehensible crime.  I am lost as to how someone could be so callous as to find it a lark to do such a thing.  It's beyond my mind. 

  The interesting thing about this story, at least in the context for this essay, is that the people involved saw not only this man but all considered "black" as lesser beings.  They were not fully persons, not real people, and so it was ok to do this.  Did this method of thinking just appear one day?  Remember, according to the vid, there were a fairly large number of people involved in this, and all young people.  So I ask again; where did this belief system originate?

  In our sordid past, we have had all too many instances of seeing some group of people as lesser beings, as lesser persons and worthy targets.  And, in some laughable and horrid nightmare, someone will say how these teens came from such "Christian" homes with no concept of the incredulity of that statement.  So, again I must ask:  Where did these young men and women find this set of ideals as worthy?

  We can point fingers, rage and rant, and in the end the true criminals of this epic are left at home angry and hurt that their little boys, their neighbors are going to prison.  This was more than one boy going out on a nut, this was more than one psycho..... this was the result of a culture of hate and of believing that some are greater than others.  Until we come to the point where we do not see ourselves as only good because someone else is bad, only worthy of life and liberty, happiness even, because someone else is not worthy, only then will this type of destruction come to an end.



I came home very angry and wanted to tell you about it...

 

Hi Everyone;
  I had one of those happenings at work that just made me want to rip someone's head off.  Carelessness, a general lack of concern or using the knoodle...the brain, not the other noodle, perverts!...by one of my chief people damaged my tool box.  Now, not the end of the world, but as I was using a shovel and broom to collect up my tools and belongings, throw out my favorite coffee cup, find $1.20 in change I didn't know was in there, my so called cheif person proceded to finish the task I'd sent him upon...and did it in the manner I told him not to.  Aaargh!
  So what's a few bent drawers and busted slides on a $300 tool box?  No big deal...a few spot welds and judicious use of a large hammer, no one will ever suspect.  But, dang it...it took me almost a year to pay for that tool box, and, and, and,  ... oh, forget it.  I'm going home and deal with it tomarrow.

  I get home, and think about this rant I've saved just for you all about how people seem totally unthinking now~days.  I was going to tell you how they almost get to the point of saying, 'hey, it's not my job to think'.  And, even simple care for other's things over the care we would put into our own.  I had a great rant in my mind and went looking for a picture to tell the story........and began to laugh my butt off.  Is it wrong to laugh at these pics of other people being angry?  The puppy did it for me first, but then the one of McCain was so blatantly staged and cartoonist, I started laughing at them all.  I mean, how does one take himself seriously after seeing a picture of a mad beaver?  There's a one liner.... 

  So, I'm not angry anymore.  Go figure.

Who are they?

They told me “Come as you are”, and so I raised my hand when the call went out. “Who would give his heart to God?” “Who will stand and proclaim ‘I believe’”. I raised my hand. I went to stand before God and tell him that I would believe, that I would love Him, and that I would proclaim Him as my savior.


“It is a personal walk” they told me, then stood in the way and forced me to walk their way.

“God is Love” they told me, then proceeded to tell me how He would hate me for loving men rather than women.

“God forgives” they told me, then stood in judgment of me.

“God will never leave nor forsake you” they told me, then cast me out into the cold, alone.

God says, “lean not unto thine own understandings…” That is good, Lord, for I surely don’t understand.

Memory problems...

This made me cry

Hi Friends;
  Listening to this vid will bring you to tears.  The desperation, the degradation....I went from incredulous to angry to deep sadness so quickly.  How does this happen?

 

 

A Really Great Picture

  The greatest compliment you can give to an artist is that his work made you stop and rethink something, that it changed your mind or expanded your views.  "Pretty" usually pisses them off.
  There is such a great message in this picture.  The interesting thing, I can almost hear numerous conflicting messages as I think about what person is viewing the pic. 
  So I ask you to share with me....what do you see?  What do you think when you see this? What feelings does it bring to the surface?

Fox News takes on SpongeBob Squarepants.

Don't piss off the sponge, Fox News!

   I guess the "fair and balanced" crew have finally lost their minds.  They are debating the global warming controversy with a children's cartoon.... Perhaps the definition of taking oneself too seriously: labeling Spongebob as a font of misinformation and bias.  The irony, the absolute hilarious irony, it's Fox News who is angry because the cartoon is possibly being biased and giving misleading information.  Wow....pot calling the sponge black, huh.

http://planetsave.com/2011/08/06/fox-news-attacks-environmentalist-spongebob-squarepants-video/

Ya Gotta Have that Strut



They say 'if you have it, flaunt it.



Seems logical...

This one made me laugh...

The ‘slut’ double-standard always kind of annoys me. If a woman sleeps with a bunch of dudes, she’s a slut, but if a guy goes out and does the same thing, all of a sudden he’s ‘gay’

a bit of redneck humor

Little Johnny

The teacher said, "Let"s begin by reviewing some American History. Who said "Give me Liberty , or give me Death"?" She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Little Johnny, a bright foreign exchange student from Japan, who had his hand up: "Patrick Henry, 1775" he said.

"Very good!"

Who said, "Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth?"

Again, no response except from Little Johnny, "Abraham Lincoln, 1863."


"Excellent!" said the teacher continuing, "let's try one a bit more difficult."

Who said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country?"

Once again, Johnny's was the only hand in the air and he said, "John F. Kennedy, 1961."

The teacher snapped at the class. "Class, you should be ashamed of yourselves, Little Johnny isn't from this country and he knows more about our history than you do."

She heard a loud whisper, "Fuck the Japs."

"Who said that? I want to know right now!" she angrily demanded.

Little Johnny put his hand up, "General MacArthur, 1945."

At that point, a student in the back said, "I'm gonna puke."

The teacher glares around and asks, "All right!! Now who said that?"

Again, Little Johnny says, "George Bush to the Japanese Prime Minister, 1991."

Now furious, another student yells, "Oh yeah? Suck this!"

Little Johnny jumps out of his chair waving his hand and shouts to the teacher, "Bill Clinton to Monica Lewinsky, 1997!"

The teacher fainted.

As the class gathered around the teacher on the floor, someone said, "Oh shit, we're screwed!"

Little Johnny said quietly, "The American people, August 2nd, 2011."

What does it mean to you?

  I hope you will watch this video.  It does take some time, but there is worth to this investment.  As I listened to this man speak, I had some odd understandings:  We are what we think we are.
  Ok, you in the corner who thinks you are Abraham Lincoln, sorry, you're not.  I hope.  But, he really did give the old addage that the thoughts we proscribe to an item, an event, even a person really dictate the worth of that item/event/person.  For instance, give a drowning man a bar of gold and he's likely not quite so happy as if you give him a float.  Or, a present given to a mother by her child, no matter what it is - but especially if it was a thought out gift, has value far outreaching the item's intrinsic worth.
  The interesting question I had was why.  Why do I value (______) and not so much (______)?  Another question might be why do I not value some such item?  What are my motivations? 
  There's a great deal more to this video.  It's long and interesting, as I said, so get comfortable.  I hope you like it and it draws some thoughts from you.  If so, please share.

Did you feel that...

It was the 90% of Americans who just took a big one up the pooter.  Thanks G.O.P.