Let's Do Lunch

OK

I was on vacation a while back I had lunch one Saturday. While this is not earth shattering or all that unusual it was an event I found to be well worth the while. After I moved away from my home area I have become somewhat homesick and was reading the local papers while on line. In one of the papers was a comment forum when locals and "extra terrestrials" (such as myself) could make comments on articles that were printed on the on line and hard copy. After haunting this site for some time and making comments one of the regulars gave me a reply and a friendship began.


Over the next couple of years of posting and "meeting" other people I heard about the group of commenters who would get together for a meal at a different place each month. How I wanted to be able to go. These people, whom I never met, had become my friends and I was missing out on a basic human family gathering, the meal around a table.


Well, I got to meet them recently. What in eclectic group they are. Our common passion is politics, you know, one of the greatest taboos. Our common thread is our interests in each other outside of the political arena. During this lunch I discovered how much I have in common with the others. They were all very welcoming to this stranger in their midst and feeling as though I have know them all my life I am honored to have them as friends.

I am in the greatest of hopes of being able to have lunch with all of them again. This is for Mary and Mary, Jennifer, Marcia, Wendy, Cathy, Andrea, Vern, Frank, Don and all the rest. You guys, although we don't always agree, are the best. I am looking forward to next year.

What a Waste of an Education

So, Prof. Paul Meyers has had his way. Well, good for him and bad for us. The professor has made it a point to desecrate the Holy Eucharist to prove “the cracker” has no power. He has been given consecrated Hosts and with one of them, he has driven into it a rusty nail then cavalierly thrown it into the trash. This University of Minnesota professor really gives higher learning an excellent poster child. (Probably why he remains an associate professor.)

So now, it is reported the professor wants to be protected from “their freedom of speech”. Whose? No one is forcing the professor to believe or not believe anything. Now, this professor is trying to defend his actions as free speech. That is the problem with free speech; it allows everyone the same right. Sorry, Dr. Meyers.

Nevertheless, what appears to be at issue is how to behave, not freedom of speech. Some people believe that prayer should be returned to schools. They may use this as an argument. I am no so sure but allow me to tell this story.

When I was growing up, my fifth grade teacher, Mary Perry, would read to us a piece of scripture each morning, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. We really hated it. The following year was when prayer in schools was abolished. As elementary school children we were gleeful in finding out Mrs. Perry would not be forcing the boredom on her present class that was forced on ours. (And it was boredom.) There we were, wringing our hands with delight. Is that what Dr. Meyers is doing?

What I have discovered in my advancing years is Mrs. Perry had something to offer by this ritual. What she was teaching us was morals. In the public school, we had many different children with just as many beliefs. None of us was traumatized by this display of morality. Our teacher did not promote one denomination over another or one religion over another. She also had us read Greek and Roman mythology for small lessons in how to behave. (Does this make me a Greek or Roman?) We read these stories today as morality plays, how we should behave toward on another.

So, Dr. Meyers, if I may offer this for your consideration. You are not getting the response you wanted, as disgusting as it is to so many people. Perhaps you should give your tirade a rest and take a hint from Mrs. Perry. Your beliefs are not being forced on me and mine are not being forced on you. The proper thing would be to respect each other’s views and continue on using what we have as common ground.

Therefore, thank you, Dr. Meyers, for making me sit up and take notice. It is too bad that an action as childish as yours made me look at the situation for what it is. What a terrible waste of an education when all you can do is find a way to make a few people upset. Couldn’t try something for the good of society, I take it.

Connections

My boy received First Communion over the weekend. I was so happy for him. He had felt left out all this time and now is more part of going to mass.

Some things amazed me while watching this simple act. First was the complete trust he had. He walked up to the priest, bowed; watch the movement of the priest’s hand from the ciborium to his small hand. Carefully picking up the Host, he then placed it in his mouth and smiled. His mother and I, of course, get to see this from a unique vantage point within the nave.

Second was the simple happiness he had from being able to participate. He told us how much he didn’t feel like he was a part of what was going on. I guess he was saying he didn’t belong as much as we tried to convince him he did.

It reminded me of the moment when the little “toad” was born. It was a warm June morning and mom was scheduled for a C-section. We dutifully arrive at one of the local hospitals at the appointed hour and go through the laborious act of admitting. About two hours later here he comes, screaming and kicking, not liking his new environment at all. (A lot like his older sister, I might add.) Now seven years later (a lifetime of trouble that was over in a couple of hours) we witness this rite of passage.

Maybe in my advancing years I am becoming a bit more sentimental. It was something the little guy wanted to do. He had wanted to do this for more than a year and, finally, to get to this goal was something that made him very happy. I only hope he continues setting goals and working to achieve them.

It's All About the Race

Well, it has been some time since I last posted and I have had some thoughts about race relations, or lack of tolerance thereof. In a recent newspaper article, it was written there was a lack of response to a symposium sponsored by the newspaper regarding race relations. It is a sad commentary to the public at large, but it did get the gray cells moving. Of those who attended, it appears a lot of understanding had come from the conversations. While the newspaper seemed disappointed the attendance was low, they could be commended for having the nerve to bring into the open a topic that is usually whispered in the privacy of our homes.

I have made many friends over the years. Some are still around and others have gone their separate ways. New friends replace the missing ones and life goes on. When thinking about friends the idea of race does not come to my mind. These folks are chosen for who they are. (See post on the Isle of Mauritius) We have similar thoughts. We have similar wants and needs. We want our children to have things better than we do. We all get hungry and bleed when we are cut. We have good times in our lives and times that are not so good. We appreciate music, good food, art and the litany can continue.

So why is it we cannot seem to get over the issue of race? Is there some hidden force that prevents us from seeing beyond our intimate circle of friends and family? What is so important to us that the issue of race will not take a back seat (so to say) to the other problems facing our society?

May the following be offered as a personal point-of-view to the preceding questions.

Race is important. Not just for one person or group but for each of us. We are identified by our skin color. We are identified by our belief system, our family and our friends. We are identified by traditions. These items make up whom we are. The Gestalt theory of being greater than the sum of our parts is a good analogy.

I have hair, nose, eyes, mouth, body, arms and legs, hands and feet, just like most of those reading this posting. I have aches and pains, get tired, sleep and eat. Sounds like a lot of you, doesn’t it? What you don’t know is my height, weight, eye color and hair color. Does it make any difference? I hope not.

What does make a difference is when someone asks that I give up my identity to placate another or a small group. It seems to be a bit one-sided. I am just as proud of my heritage as the next person is. I am interested in seeing the world from your point of view. There are things I will never experience for the simple reason of my race. How am I to understand your experience if you will not tell me? There are things I have experienced you may not get the chance to see or do. Go ahead, ask me.

I have a long way to go in my ability to accept people for who they are but thanks to the many friends I have had and do have and hope to make in the future they will show me what is good in me and also show me what is good IN THEM! Our goals are common. Let me keep my identity and enjoy what yours has to offer.

Showing My Age

I have been having a somewhat heated debate with an individual I have never met in a public forum. This individual, I will refer to as she since a woman’s name is used, has such a narrow view I am amazed she has any room for another idea. While to topic of our discussion is not important, the lack of courtesy, discipline and self-control appears to have become a problem.

Recently, a quote of Frank Herbert, author of “Dune”, has come to my attention. The quote states: “The people I distrust most are those who want to improve our lives but have only one course of action.” I liked this quote so much I have changed my signature stamp. Therefore, those of you who know me will have to live with it for a while. Quotes provide so much insight of the people who made them and those who use the quotes. Take, for example, the great Mohammed Ali. He has been quoted as saying, “A man who thinks at 50 the way he did at 30 has wasted 20 years of his life.” Now, I did not hear him say that but it sure has many implications.

So, what has happened to common courtesy? Is it dead or just very anemic? The majority of people with whom I associate, though we do not always agree, try to remain civil so our points are made without animosity. The discussion I have had with this woman has been futile. There is only one response from her and it is reiterated in a different way each time without changing the meaning. Therefore, instead of disagreeing and trying to work through the differences there is disagreement unless the others have views which are in agreement with her. What is to gain by this attitude? Brings to mind the short story, “’Repent Harlequin,’ said the Tick-Tock Man.” Are we to conform all our collective ideas and thoughts to satisfy the wants of the few?

Now the idea is not to be passive and keep the peace but to make waves. These waves are not meant to be disruptive, but to allow others to see more sides of the same issue. Let’s face it; there are at least two sides to each story. Usually there are much more than two sides. However, let us move beyond this particular topic.

What about the days when people held doors open for each other. It had nothing to do with sexism. It was courtesy. Then there is my personal pet peeve, the lack of turn signals. Mother taught her children if nothing nice could be said about someone, then nothing need be said at all. Well, Mom; this is for you. I cannot say the other drivers are being selfish, self-centered or inconsiderate. I cannot say that the auto manufacturers are charging for, but not installing, turn signals. Therefore, I am left with a polar-magnetic disturbance that prevents the signals from working in the first place. Whaddya think?

One thing I have learned in the South is the words Ma’am and Sir. They really are English words! When I lived in Ohio, they were only used to keep from getting into further trouble with the parents (or parental-type units). Those two words of simple courtesy now roll off my tongue without any pain and is appreciated. It is seen in the eyes of the older people. It is seen in the attitudes of the younger people as they address their elders as Ma’am and Sir. Quoting Carol Sarler, who writes for “The Observer”, a subsidiary of “The Guardian” in the UK, “Even in deprived, no-go-after-dark downtown, teenage boys stand to look you in the eye, call you ma'am and have no familiarity with the language of the monosyllabic grunt - if only because their mamas, white and black, will have it no other way, not because the government is sponsoring 'initiatives' on 'respect'.” Ms. Sarler is writing about the BBC looking down on Americans. She chastises the BBC for using microcosms of American society to state the entire country behaves as those people who make waves in places such as New York City, Washington DC or Los Angeles. Ms. Sarler, in the article, states she lives near Atlanta.

What is extolled here is the courtesy extended to others, the common thread that unites societies. The reason the United States has a diplomatic corps is to prepare ambassadors of the customs and courtesies to the country where they are serving. An open-handed palm is acceptable to many in the States but in other cultures, it is not. Common courtesy requires diplomats understand the cultures in which they will be living. An argument is better settled when all parties are willing to compromise and use the common courtesy handed down by their and our ancestors to work through the differences. It is a shame this seems to apply less today than it has in the past. Could the anonymity of the internet have helped to exacerbate this problem? Possibly, but that is another topic for a later discussion.

Therefore, this rant is to bring to the front the need to return to our roots, to allow everyone to be him or herself by allowing courtesy to temper our tongues and polish the rough edges. Much more will be accomplished by first finding what unites us, then see what it is that is dividing us. Over the last few decades, our society has been blessed with advancements that were science fiction at one time. We have made cultural advancements and declines but the hope is more advancements than declines have transpired. In either case, the common thread is how civilly we can react with each other as a society. While our own parents could be overheard, decrying the youth of the day who have little respect for the adults it appears the cries have been ignored. Are we, who are bringing up the next generation, falling into the same cycle?

I propose, to anyone who reads this, to thank your cashier the next time a purchase is made. Take the extra effort to make eye contact. Greet a passer-by with, “Good Morning” and accept the answer, even if the answer is no response or a quizzical stare. Hold open the door for someone, not caring if it appears sexist. The idea may sound Utopian, and the author has no problem with that idea, but at the very least, your small section of the world will be changed. Nothing will be lost by the effort but, more importantly, nothing will be gained by failing to put forth the effort.

The Isle of Mauritius

Ever have one of those moments when you read or watch something and think, "That's it!" One of those moments happened for yours truly. It concerns the Isle of Mauritius, a small island nation about 600 miles east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. It's origins are obscure before the 14th century. It is believed that Muslim explorers discovered the island in the middle of the 9th century but was abandoned because of the hostile seas. The Dutch then used it as a seaport but did not establish a colony. It was then used by the French who had used slaves to clear the land to raise sugar cane. Later the British conquered the island from the French and abolished slavery around 1860. Mauritius gained independence from Great Britain in 1968 and is presently the oldest democracy in Africa. (I know, it's an island but I am just repeating what was said, for the moment.)

Now the demographics of this island nation is most unusual. There are French, English, Chinese, Indian and European people living there who practice Hindu, Islam, Catholicism (Christianity) and Buddhism. Now one would think this would be a very volatile mixture of people. Other interesting facts of Mauritius is the literacy rate is an astounding 98% and there is no unemployment. The crime rate is so low the police force does not carry firearms. The island was an important stop on the trade routes and is now in the process of becoming highly industrialized. The Mauritians use English as their official language but most also speak French. Some also speak Creole.

Now what has this author's interest piqued? Well, Grasshopper, I am happy you asked.

We keep hearing people wanting change. They want everyone to be alike and not notice a person's skin color, ethnic traditions or his accent. The change is to make everyone alike. The tone is to have America to become homogenized. Homogenized? Are we milk?

Mauritius is not like this at all. This small island nation has made it a priority to keep the other identities of all its peoples. They have embraced all that is unique to each of the cultures inhabiting the island. So keeping this in mind, it is fascinating to think about this. Why can't someone say, "I am black" or "I am white and this is how I feel about the issue." Just think, the agnostic, atheist, Christian and Jew could come to the same table and settle an issue each using his or her own perspective without being thought about as ignorant in his beliefs.

In the video that opened my eyes to this phenomenon has a priest saying he could not imagine living in the island without the other cultures. The same was said for the other cultures about the other cultures. I thought to myself, "This is what Dr. King had in mind!" Each individual is what he or she wants to be and not having to feel concern about how others will perceive him. What a novel idea, others accepting people for who they are, not making everyone into the image of political correctness.

So like it or not, this should be our goal. Not to make everyone alike, how boring is that? My friends are chosen because of who they are, not how they can be molded. My family is a collection of oddities that make them hopelessly unique and keep reunions fun. How Orwellian to have to be alike, to be molded in a "politically correct" image. The idea of embracing differences is foreign to so many. It is the different customs, skin colors, accents and ideas that make us who we are. We are greater than the sum of our parts. Why not try to act like it?

Friends Can Make You Think

A friend of mine has asked me my opinion of the upcoming primaries and I have pondered this for a couple of days.


One of our local talk radio stations was asking, with the upcoming primaries (NC, SC and VA) are you shifting away from your party? It was an interesting question since the question was not directed to Republicans, but to everyone. While it is usually the voter who does not waiver from his or her party that does not need to be won over, it is those who are more "independent" minded and swing voters the candidates have to go out and convince he or she has the better plan. These voters tend to scrutinize more than the party affiliated voters. What surprised me more were some of the answers.


While listening to this announcer and his guests, I was expecting to hear a parade of Republicans defecting to other parties, namely the Democratic Party. What I didn't expect was the people who were defecting from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. There were various reasons from the lack of sincerity of the candidates to the feeling of abandonment. So this whole question got me to thinking.


I was raised in a Democrat household, complete with card carrying union members who would do anything to keep the union and Democrats in control. When I first started voting I was a "yellow-dog" Democrat. When I went to college I shifted to the Republican side of the aisle. Now, things are not so black and white. I would like to think the candidates have to win my vote and not with 8-second sound bites. I expect a little more from someone running for President of the United States. So with that in mind I am going to make an attempt to make some sense of my friend's question.


Of the people defecting from the Republican Party (and they were going to independent parties and the Democratic Party) I completely understand why they are feeling the way they do. We have been orphaned. We are the poor bastard children of our party. Our values have been lost to radicals who, it seems, are destined to make life difficult for everyone but themselves. So what are Republican candidates offering us?


I have heard some of the debates (about as much as I could stomach). The top offerings are two Senators, two Governors and one Mayor. While I was enamored with Fred Thompson at first, I have come to the realization that sometimes when you want something then finally get it, it is not what was really wanted at all. That is how I feel about Mr. Thompson. I thought he was a good Senator but he is not Presidential material. I almost feel as though Mr. Thompson is lock-stepping. Not a pretty picture.


Next is Senator John McCain. While this is not his first bid for the candidacy, I would liken it to watching re-runs of "Welcome Back, Kotter". The show was good the first time but the re-runs really are not what I remember. The Senator is running the same campaign as before. Here again, as a Senator, John McCain has proven that finding a common ground will do a whole lot more for the good of America than trying to push only his own agenda. Also, Senator McCain is one of the very few members of Congress, on the Republican side of the aisle, who has publicly disagreed with President Bush. That shows he is an independent thinker. He might make a viable President but too many people dislike him for many different reasons.


Next is Governor Mike Huckabee. While he touts conservative values such as fiscal responsibility, family and the like, his record does not agree. Also a Baptist minister and the former governor of Arkansas, his attraction is fundamental evangelicals. While this appears to have done him well in Iowa it would be harder to predict in the more diverse and politically liberal NE corridor.


Then there is the ever popular Governor Mitt Romney. The first thing that seems to come to mind at the mention of his name is he is a Mormon. Big Deal. John Kennedy was a Catholic and that turned out OK. I would expect the candidates to have some moral upbringing. How else do we know what to expect of our leaders. I don't remember this being published in the newspapers in Ohio but here in NC candidates religious affiliations are published just before an election. Governor Romney looks presidential, but don't be too sure he is presidential material. Once beyond the Mormon "thing", his platform is closer the the middle of the road. There is an air of arrogance that needs to be overcome. Another possibility, but I don't see it as likely.


Then Mayor Rudolph Giuliani comes next. I heard a quote from a Democratic Senator who said that all of Mr. Giuliani's sentences contain a noun, a verb and 9/11. Hate to say this but I agree. During the last debate it was apparent Mr. Romney and Mr. Giuliani are more impressed with themselves than impressing the voters.


But let's sneak to the other side of the aisle and we have, as front runners, three Senators. They are an interesting lot. Foremost in the minds of many is Senator Clinton. While she may be sincere there is an awful lot of baggage with her. There is White Water, failed health care reform, people who do not like President Clinton and those who just plain do not like Senator Clinton. There is a tremendous amount of history to overcome. A lot of people do not connect with her and consider her insincere and calculating. (We all know the word not being used here.)


There is also Senator Barak Obama who is charismatic, a powerful speaker and, here again, looks Presidential. His appeal is for unity among the people. He wants to unite the people of America. By the way, he is the only one who is publicly saying so and it is a breath of fresh air, but I am not sure it is enough. Amazing thing is as Mr. Obama picks up more support the more diverse his speeches become. Here is another who may show some promise. Time will tell.


And lastly is Senator John Edwards. It will be hard for me to comment on him as a resident of NC. I was vastly unimpressed with his one-term tenure in the Senate. It was as though the Senate seat was solely for the purpose of spring boarding into a White House bid. Not too much happened when the Senator was in office.


So back to the radio show. What caught my attention was the people defecting from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. Some of them were self-proclaimed "yellow dog" Democrats until... (you can fill in the blank and the reasons were numerous)


The majority did not like Senator Clinton in particular and were doing what they needed to prevent her from acquiring the candidacy. (Most used reason.) Others felt like the description earlier given about the Republican Party, having been orphaned, and were looking for something - anything.


What is most important is what is not being said. Immigration reform. Taxes. Stabilization in the Middle East (not just the war). The Economy. All that seems available are the 8-second sound bites. Looking on brochures and web sites seem to give the SSDD version. We have all read and heard it before.


So lets raise our glasses and hope the next few months actually produces something for us ponder. Lets look for more than a figure head and, probably most importantly, remember to clean House (& Senate) to make your voices heard. Unless the fundamental root cause is extracted from the legislating bodies there will not be much change no matter who is elected. One thing is for certain, this election will not be a choice between the lesser of two evils, it is an election for change.

Who Dropped the Ball?

I think at some times we are not as enlightened as we hope to be. Here in North Carolina we are in the midst of a drought. Our reservoirs are not just low, but nearly 13 feet below where they should be for this time of year. This has been going on for many months. Last July one could drive by the reservoirs and see they are low and this continued until October before the cities made any attempt to call for conservation. Now, the city fathers in Raleigh are looking to have a 50% surcharge to the water bills in order to try to off set the water usage.

Thankfully, I am on a well.

So why am I concerned? What is happening is a tax, unapproved by the voters. The city has not offered any explanation as to what is to be done with the money collected. If they offered the possibility of new/additional reservoirs that would be one thing. The city said they had to take care of water leaks and this new income would help. Excuse me? What have they been doing with the money they have been collecting from all those people for all this time? Wouldn't you think that a portion of the money collected would have been earmarked for maintenance of the infrastructure?

Another thing that concerns me is the city and county did not impose water restrictions until late in the fall. Even Stevie Wonder could tell the lakes were dropping to alarmingly low levels long before the fall. I don't get the delay in imposing water restrictions (which are not all that strict since everyone is permitted to water outdoors using a garden hose for up to eight hours one day a week). The city (who by the way owns just about the entire water system in the county) is asking for conversation on everyone's part by the way of low flow showers, low water use toilets and the like. There is no incentive for those who already have these items or for others to get and install them, only the opportunity to pay more for less water.

If an electric service did not maintain their lines and distribution system the customers would really be miffed. People would complain they are not getting a service for which they are paying. Well, explain what the difference is between a city water service and the electric company. Well, as I see it one is privately owned and the other is government operated. It would seem as though the government has no answers and is not planning on providing any. We would expect the government to step in if our electric service did this to us. Who do we ask when the government isn't making sense?

My first enrty of my first attempt at blogging.

I suppose this will end up becoming a place where I can voice my opinion without the restraints of many bulletin boards. As I have new irritants I will voice my opinion and let off some steam. Perhaps you will or will not agree but, in my humble opinion, without dialog we will not progress.