What in the World ?

      Where are we at and where are we going ? Usually we know the answer to at least one of those questions. However at this point in time I, for one, can not clearly answer either one. The world seems to be literally crumbling around us, some see this and other events as a sign of Biblical symbolism being fulfilled. Others see Earths physical changes as just part of the natural ebb and flow which has occurred over eons of time.
      Should we be concerned ? I don't know, but something killed the Dinosaurs ! The recent events in Japan are horrible and demonstrate several things. You cannot foresee such "Earth Shaking" (pardon the pun) events, you cannot prepare for them and you cannot prevent them.
      Japan was/is one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world, brilliant scientist, well educated and industrious populace. However their inability to control events at their Nuclear sites, despite their expertise has the entire world rethinking its energy plans.
      The environmentalist demand we stop oil exploration as it is harming our planet , and indeed better planing and control needs to be developed in that industry as well. The Gulf Oil spill was tragic as well.  I would however prefer Gulf Shrimp than florescent Sushi.
 

What is a 'LIKE' Like ?

      People have been very critical of Social Networking Sites, often with good reason. I, however think they have given many people the opportunity to express them selves in ways that social convention may not. We need to encourage each other when we can, but often, FACE TO FACE it seems silly and perhaps condescending to say to someone. " I agree with you"  " That was a nice to say or do".or even
"I like you."'
    I may be a simpleton, but I get a certain sanctification when something I have posted gets a "Like" and especially a "comment", I am an 'Old Dog' but I have even learned a few things. I have been in some vibrant exchanges with "Friends" and "Friends" of "Friends" who don't always agree with me 100 % [can you imagine that] . I may even have been able to share some information with someone and given them the opportunity to learn something new and learn something new myself.
      Some times a "LIKE" simply conveys an acknowledgment of the post and is a sign of agreement with the poster when the post is about something serious or sad, when a post is regarding an illness or such a "LIKE" is a simple 'I am thinking of you'.
    My life has been enriched by being able to "meet" new people and reconnect with old friends, [ some of them turned out pretty good]. I now have the ability to ask questions and obtain the opinions and advice of cultured and educated people from many walks of life. I do agree with many that there should be an "unlike" "BUTTON", when someone puts up a post which is negative or hurtful to some group or person or share about a negative event in their life, this would be a place to perhaps make a comment.
    In regards to 'FRIENDING' and 'UNFRIENDING', I most always accept a 'Friend' request although some are questionable [I feel I have to many at around 200, but I see others with several hundred to thousands of  'Friends'] I try to be selective without being judgmental but have rejected a few. 'UNFRIENDING' is a problem and I have read articles and 'BLOGS' about the issue. I have not dome it often and have reserved it for chronic cursing and a few others who have continued with vitriolic hate speech. I do have several young people who are friends and do not want them to see these things on my page, as we are known "by the company we keep".
    I believe most of us tend to be friends with 'kindred spirits' and it is good to know that there are others out there who are like minded. I also am glad I am friends with people of divergent philosophies as well, it keeps my mind sharp and at the same time takes off some of my rough edges.
    I have found Facebook a good tool for 'Networking' for career and business.,I admit to being somewhat mercenary in 'FRIENDING' a few people involved in the Movie and Music business but I try to 'pay it forward' as often as I can.
     My 'COMMENT' is that I 'LIKE' 'POST' ing on FACEBOOK.
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The President's Candle

     While I beleive I have written some pretty good essays on this blog, I have been without inspiration in recent weeks, some of my closest "advisers" have suggested I was trying to "burn the candle at both ends" or had "too many Irons in the fire". Those who know me, know of my many projects and interests. While all my projects are important to a few people besides my self they are trivial compared to "our" Presidents.
      Domestically he is faced with the following "ends" which are still burning, some rapidly-HEALTH CARE-HOT, IMMIGRATION-HOT, ENERGY-HOT,TERRORISM-HOT, there are also many "smaller" ends either burning slowly or not yet ignited.
     Internationally he did inherit some problems he was forced to deal with- Iraq and Afghanistan to name two. He has failed to keep his promise's regarding those two 'wars', right or wrong. Now he has started another in which we have no vested interest. America has long been criticized for being too involved in the affairs of other countries, being expansionist and some liberals have called their own country international terrorist. We have been criticized as trying to be 'the policeman to the world'. Japan needs us, we need Japan.
     Our last election was won on the idea of CHANGE we could beleive in, I beleive none has occurred. Those who supported this young man because of his fine rhetoric, liberal ideas and because he was bi-racial must be disappointed, he has let all of us down and deeper in debt. Regardless of the "collation" involved in this Libyan affair it is OUR war. He makes himself seem foolish by leaving the country or vacationing when he should be at the helm of the ship of state.He had no real world experience, executive or otherwise.
    Next time let us select a man for the job and not just a job for a man.
       

Human Tragedy

What is the real human tragedy considering recent national and world events? World shaking tragedy unfolding in Japan, civil wars across the middle east, flooding on the east coast , police being shot, bar shootings, buss wrecks, missing children all within the last three days.

Already some of these stories either have not made the front pages or are disappearing, most of us can do little to correct these events. We can lend or sympathies, Give money, pray and little else. Yet we are all effected in ways we cannot see and do not understand, weeks like these leave us De-synthesized to what goes on around us.

Stating the Obvious.

Why is it that people are so prone to stating the obvious and asking questions we already know the answer too, or to which the answer is apparent? Is it because we want to seem intelligent, or are so in love with the sound of our own voice? (alright, no nasty comments here !). We even do things which don't need doing, for example; I have walked up to an elevator where there are already a half dozen people standing, the UP button is shinning brightly and I find I must punch it myself not once but several times and then affect a look of superiority when it arrives as if I made it happen. My wife just offered me a cup of coffee and when she brought it to me, hot and steaming, I asked "Oh, is it done yet." We moved last year and had a U-Haul truck parked in front of our house,a furniture dolly, and boxes stacked all over the yard-A neighbor asked "Are you moving?" My response "No, my wife just wanted this stuff out of her way while she cleaned."
In town recently I ran into a friend who was with a young couple, he stopped to introduce them and said, "I'd like you to meet my Son and Daughter-In-Law." My response "Is this really your Son ?"(I saw my sign). Bill Engvall, the comedian probably has the best grasp on this annoying part of human nature, his "Here's ur sign" routines are an education in themselves. I have a sign in my yard, a campaign sign for a friend who is running for mayor in our up coming election, at least a dozen people have come by and asked me, "Is Larry running for Mayor."
"NO, I tell them, but there's his sign."

The Earth is bi-polar [as the stomach turns 2]

FAR EAST- Rich and getting richer, the two major countries, China and Japan hold a larger portion of the worlds wealth. China even with it's record of human rights abuses is very stable, Japan is the most productive nation in the world per ca-pita. India has absorbed a larger number of the technocrats who were displaced from the "World Trade Center" after 9/11. {where did the 47,000 people who worked there go after 9/11?} Either check for yourself or post a comment and I will tell you. The remainder of the area is under Islamic or Communist control. Australia and New Zealand get by with Fosters in a can, and shrimp on the barbie.

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA- Most of it under minor totalitarian control, while claiming to be free and elected governments. Several countries are poverty stricken. Several are socialist states with aggressive anti American leaders. Oil and gold are the primary reasons we do not work to clean up our own back yard which leads us to........

MEXICO-  America's WORST problem, with which we refuse to deal. This is the trash in our back yard, not the PEOPLE but the policies. The big exports are DRUGS and Cheep Labor, neither taxed nor controlled. Why?, we have no desire to, if we don't acknowledge the problem one does not exist. "BLINDERS made in America". Mexico is a time bomb.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA- This has almost become an oxymoron, we are more regionally and culturally divided that any other time in our history. The south eastern part of the country is healthier economically and growing faster that other areas, areas once stereotyped as poor and ignorant are now experiencing a multifaceted Renaissance.
     However we do have our problems and many of them mirror the final days of historically great societies.
Due to a recent rash of law enforcement officers being shot, officers are now being instructed to make an immediate show of force even in routine traffic stops I have personally observed drawn guns and hands on revolvers several times, who can blame them, underpaid and under appreciated , I am going to protect my life.
    There is a push by some groups and the drugs manufacturer to have the "morning after pill" available to girls as young as 11 with out parental permission. Abortion  is still on the rise and although violent crime as a whole is down the number of children murdered by parents and caretakers is higher than ever, infanticide was rampant at the end of the Roman Empire.
     In regards to elder care [another group murdered by the Romans, the purpose was to eliminate those who provided the greatest burden with the smallest contribution]. Someone suggested that convicts and those in nursing homes trade places, the latter would at least get daily showers, 3 good meals, color TV, internet access, exercise programs and new facilities and the former would get minimal care at best.

CANADA- Ah, yes Canada.