Stories that raise questions...

Hi Friends;

  I stumbled upon this story via that same little app I put on my wallpaper.  I've adapted the story a bit as I am not allowed to post it in its entirety.  So, for those interested, search "Denver, Sheriff, Methamphetemines, Patrick Sullivan" and the AP story will likely be easy to find.  Ok?


A U.S. national sheriff of the year is now an inmate in the jail that was named for him, accused of offering methamphetamine in exchange for sex from a male acquaintance.
     Colorado retired Sheriff Patrick Sullivan, 68, now in handcuffs, dressed in jail oranges and walking with a cane observed quietly as a judge raised his bail amount to a half-million dollars and sent him to the Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility.
    The current sheriff, Grayson Robinson, who worked as undersheriff for Sullivan from 1997 until he took over the job in 2002, said "the department was shocked and saddened at his arrest" and has many in suburban Denver's Arapahoe County where he held sway for nearly two decades wondering what happened to the tough-as-nails lawman they once knew.
    Sullivan came to the attention of law enforcement Oct. 4 when two confidential informants said that Sullivan was dealing meth but would sell it only if they had sex with him. He was arrested after police set up a sting at a home.
    While those who know Sullivan were puzzled by the news, some said they weren't surprised that a person of his stature could get involved. They said meth users will do almost anything to feed their habit and often hurt others in the process.  "This drug knows no economic, social, professional or occupational boundaries," said state Rep. Ken Summers, who served on a legislative meth task force.


  Now, I am no expert on drugs, retired sheriffs, or even trading drugs for sex.  Being one who is completely absent of any expertise, I am, of course, qualified to offer opinion....   
  I find myself with a couple of real questions:
  1.  Was this former sheriff a drug user before retiring?
  2.  Was this former sheriff seeking sex with other men before retiring?
  3.  Will this former sheriff be treated differently from others who come to that very jail for similar offense?
  4.  If this drug knows no economic, social, professional or occupational boundaries, is the drug the fault or the person?  If the drug is the culprit, will this person be helped or tossed in jail and forgotten as many are who find themselves in like clothing and accommodation?  And, if the "drug is the culprit", then why are others given such harsh sentences?

  Americans will often look at this situation and shake our head wondering how far the mighty have fallen.  Some will advocate the jail named after him be known now as the one that he is buried beneath.  Some will seek to excuse his actions in light of his past good deeds, believing that a person's worst moments shouldn't occlude his best. 

  I ask those above questions because people often forget that there are social and personal issues that come into play upon any violation of the laws.  The man could seemingly get sex only by the dangle of illicit drugs.  Is he a user is unknown, though he doesn't appear to be too terribly ravaged by the loss of the drug in his system.  So, I am going to presume that this was more about the sex, and perhaps the money, than the drug.  If the sex, then perhaps it shows that a person, in good standing with the community, must hide his desires in the underground and back alleys of a drug world when the desire for gay sex should not be such a cause of hiding and shame.  You see my point?  Perhaps the very reason this man "fell so far" is that he used the drugs to get the sex that he couldn't socially.  He now becomes a very strange poster-child in a world so overcome with judgement and spite.

I'd like some thoughts on this...is the Salvation Army prejudiced?

Hello Friends;

  I recently added an, well I guess AP is the right word?, to my computer's wallpaper that gives me the days headlines.  I just put it up and already have something to talk about.  Good thing too....I was short on things to ramble on and bore you to death.

  So, according to a blog written by one who is living the life, the Salvation Army is prejudiced and discriminatory to homosexuals.  http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/01/9143097-gay-groups-boycott-salvation-army-red-kettle-drive

  I'm wondering is this true?  Is this the experience of a man who found a very misguided and "human" worker, or is this a case where the policy and the practice are not in accord?

  Please let me know what you have found in your experiences. 

hugs all;
randy.

funny signs

Hi Friends;
  I have had some things running through my mind lately.  I call them "Man rules"....though that seems to be taken by a whole list of other things.  These I see as rules for mankind to help sort through the bs of our daily lives.  I'd love your input on them and addition to the list.  For instance, I was reading a book recently and it talked about "good" vs. "evil"...and the general scope of things was that "evil" was being mistaken for the "good"....ie, the devil was being mistaken for the benevolent god...so, just to start things out:
 1.  Words are Cheap.  The actions of the person, organization, etc., say a great deal more than the words from the propaganda office.
2.  Nothing good comes from Tequila.  No matter one's hopes, the complete removal of the brain in any action is doomed for failure. 
3.  Religious laws are only for Those In The Religion.  Debating any issue from a religious standpoint is doomed for irrelevence unless the person with whom you are debating is also of that religion.  And, any judgement is only valid for those who agree to be judged.
4.  Treat others as you would like to be treated.  This does not apply to you who are in S/M domination and leather games. 
5.  Treat myself as I would treat others.  If I don't expect respect for myself from myself, then how can I expect it from others.
* this is a new one for me and one I'm struggling to do.


Do you have some to share?  Please do.  I'd love to have some "rules" for us to live and love by.
I imagine that my personal rules will need editing and practical tweeking....but it's a start.


In the mean time, a neat vid:

Did you ever wonder where pumkin pie comes from?

Hi Everyone...

  Saw this.  Too funny.  Sorry, had to share it with you all.......

Was Thanksgiving Happy?

Hi Friends;

  I meant to sit down so many times and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  I just found it too difficult, I guess, to look at the day and kept putting it off.

  I've had a falling out with a majority of my family.  As a result, I spend a great many holidays alone.  I guess there are a lot of us out there who find ourselves not so welcome.  And, I guess, I am so glad to have come to understand that the concept of "family" can change.  I have a wonderful brother now that I didn't have the first 40 years of my life.  Who would have thought that at this age I suddenly get my life's wish for an older brother?! 
  Well, not able to sleep the night before, I finally laid down about 1100 and slept through my 1200 alarm, making me late for the dinner.  I rushed to prepare, take care of the dog's needs, and make it out the door, only being 15-minutes late.  We laughed it off, but I hate to be late.  I got hugs from my 3 aunts and went into the living room to watch the Lions/Packers game.
  It was a good day.  The things I brought went over well, and I learned that my aunt's best method for determining who will win the games centers around the asthetic quality of the football playera' "hats".   It does seem to work:  She believed the Lions have the prettiest hats, and she likes the dolphin, too.  But, as she really hates the color of the Dolphin's pants, I think it may be a wash.  In the end, I thought it an interesting method that seems no more effective than any other.
  I was sent home with some turkey after an enjoyable day.  And, my puppers enjoyed some of that when I fumbled on the goal line.....she was right there to help.

  So, I guess I'd like to wish everyone a happy Holiday, especially those like me who looked upon yesterday with dread.