Posted: Tue Jul 7, 2009 8:14 PM CST
The Merchant of Truth
From time to time I get a real laugh when I read our so called “experts” tell each of you what to think about a certain subject, politician, or anyone else that prods the old gray matter and makes you think for yourself. It really doesn’t matter what the specific subject is because they are going to tell you what to think, what to do, etc, etc. Now, if you haven’t studied your history you probably will be easily taken in by all that fertilizer and you might actually start believing that stuff. Just remember, only in recent history in this country did the government start telling us rather than listen to us.
You learned your most important lessons the best way, which was the hard way. You stuck your little paw on the hot stove and quickly discovered the relationship between heat, pain, and your mama yelling “don’t do that you little idiot”. After that you paid a bit more attention and even today you’re usually smart enough to grab a stove mitt beforehand. Yes, Pavlov’s dogs was what we read about much later and darn if it didn’t make perfect sense. Here’s the impressive thing, it still works today, all you have to do is fire up that little mass of gray matter and put it to work. You’ll be surprised at the truth you’ll really discover.
Somebody tells you what to think about the President? Tell them to pound salt and do your own research. They tell you where to go, what to buy, how to act? Find out of they do the same thing or does their answer start out “well, that’s different”. Free advice is rarely the best advice, especially when it’s just another opinion rather than a research based answer.
Our nation, our culture, was based upon doubts about the King and a handful of people that had enough. As recent history has taught us, they too had a hidden agenda, but fortunately, that agenda turned out to be better for all of us. They certainly weren’t saints (great men are rarely good men) and had their share of shortcomings, but in the long run their actions worked for our benefit. Take a hard look at any of those issues and dissect them. Who gains and who looses?
If you’re not using that lump on top your shoulders (my Dads favorite saying I once despised and now delight in) then why not just take it off and throw it away? Oh, you can’t? There’s probably a good reason for that so it’s about time you started to use it!
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:21 PM CST
The Quality of Conversation
It’s been several years since I started writing and it has become one of those moments that I sincerely enjoy. I also enjoy hearing contrary opinions, particularly when it makes me think more about the particular subject that I’ve addressed. Of course, now and then I get one of those letters that attempts to “tell” me what I’m supposed to think because the reader feels they know me better than I know myself. Those are the kind that the delete key was born for. Mind you, I never mind being told “your wrong” as long as the commenter is willing to state their case. Some time ago I had one person that tried to associate my standing as a veteran as the reason I should think like them. They acknowledged that fighting for freedom gave me a right to my opinion, but somehow they simply could not accept that my opinion did not match their opinion. It happens! Those of us that were taught to think for ourselves rarely follow the crowd.
Good conversation? Getting more and more rare these days. I find too many have heavily peppered their conversation with the latest chic phrases that sound more like a broken record than original thought. Oh yes, I have a few of my own, but they tend to be the expressions of my now past family that were more popular in our little part of the world until I got out into the world and found that a few other communities used similar comments. “He’s trying to avoid looking like the South end of a North bound mule” and “Tain’t neither here nor there” and … I could go on for hours. They are not intended to show the ignorance of a farm boy but more like the simplicity of thought that gets an idea across in the fewer, less popular phrase. I particularly find it amusing to have a discussion with somebody that can’t seem to get past the last political infomercial. Ask them a more penetrating question about what they were just so authoritianly spouting and they look at you with that blank, 1,000 yard stare, trying to think of the answer that wasn’t in that commercial. Rarely are they inclined to look into the facts, they just keep blasting out the monolog, apparently hoping that I’ll join in. Sort of reminds me of that one commercial with a different spin; “Saw the movie, $25; Read the book; $45; Actually understood both and can talk about it …. Priceless!
Of course, the expression isn’t nearly as important as the thought behind the words. Being from a Southern upbringing there was a good deal of negative racial thoughts that flowed through our family and I was very much a willing participant until that afternoon a big black hand grabbed me by the neck and pulled me out of the spray of gunfire that killed two of my fellow soldiers; then later that day I watch the owner of that big black hand lay down his life for two white soldiers that had never had a kind word to say about him. The reality of what life was REALLY about set in and set in hard. That one great man had put it best; “it’s about the content of a mans character, not the color of his skin”. Good conversation, meaningful thought, in the least amount of words. Truly elegant.
So I was sitting here stewing about something someone wrote and thinking to myself that dumb hayseed don’t know “shi* from Shinola” and it stuck me and I started giggling. Here I was getting upset over a persons comment that doesn’t know beans about me so how could they ever hope to offer me constructive criticism when that final tidbit of wisdom that my old man drilled into my head a long time ago; “boy, you’ll learn a lot more if you keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut”. Yeah, that pretty well sums it up; hope they appreciate the old boys advice!
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:37 PM CST
Organize Now?
Looking back at the great depression (and noticing a frightening similarity to today’s economic picture) one of the greatest surges in union membership and organization came out of the frustration of the every day worker with the greed of industry. Over the years we have seen a number of pitched battles between union & management on many different fields of battle. With wins and losses on both sides and no clear winner, one would start to ask themselves, why bother? Companies that treat their workers fairly seem to be more productive while companies that steal from their employee’s are less productive but keep up their revenues through the theft. I would think that by now the business schools would have realized that creating a harmonious working relationship between management and labor would, in the long run, be better.
The fly in the ointment, as usual, is all about perception. No matter how you present it, good companies can fail and they can succeed the same way that bad companies can fail and succeed as well. There simply isn’t one perfect solution. Perhaps it is fate or the diversity of business but no matter the reason, there will always be situations in the world that promote organized labor and their will be situations that discourage the same.
Passing laws that encourage or prevent organized labor isn’t nearly as important as passing laws that protect the rights of the individual. It is the individual that, collectively, make up this nation and because of this each and every individual needs and deserves the same level of protection. Trying to segregate any group based on all the categories, be they sex, religion, faith, preferences, etc, etc, is just another veiled attempt to “divide and conquer”. There will always be groups of people that seek to control other people for their own selfish reasons and no matter how great those reasons might be perceived, the bottom line is always the same.
While the president and the congress wrestle with each other over how best to work through these tough economic times, the common person is being left in the trenches; there to slug it out with creditors, employers, and a host of others that seek only to take what little they have earned, saved, invested, and are now having plundered. It isn’t a question of how they got what little they got; our system all but makes it impossible for most to get ahead. The real question is who is more important; labor or management?
Perhaps that is the most interesting think I’ve noticed about this new president. He gets it, he understands not only the situation, but the fact that he is limited in just how much he can change; yet there is stays, in the fight, trying every different way he can find to get this mess back on track. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen an elected official quite so focused and undoubting in his mission. He is the ultimate journeyman, practicing his craft with an eye on the quality of his product. He will not easily settle for less but searches for another way to get more and in the end, will be content with a successful tie that benefits all. He walks a very tight rope, but despite the apparent danger, he soldiers on.
Now is the time for the Professional Citizen to take their place, insisting on change that benefits the nation. Not just the poor, nor the rich, nor the middle class, but fair and honest change that benefits everyone without attempting to create a utopia. Just create an even playing field where everyone has an equal opportunity and no one can take unfair advantage and get away with just a slap on the wrists.
That is what made America great and the envy of every nation on earth. An equal opportunity for one and for all. We bring that back and we will bring America back, stronger and smarter than before. The future truly is in our hands.
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:14 PM CST
Balancing Act
I certainly don’t consider myself to be an expert on matters of budget, finance, or the world economic picture … still, at a man that has managed to save to the degree that I only pay cash for his automobiles, house, and frankly, everything else he owns; I think I have earned the right to make a few observations.
To date I am rather happy with the new presidents performance. While it is not flawless, he brings about a certain humanity that few can dispute is a breath of fresh air. He makes mistakes, apologizes, then sets about correcting them. He make no excuses, he simply keeps his shoulder to the grindstone, which is more than I think a lot of us actually expected. I commend his recent decision to cancel the presidential helicopter program but I am somewhat baffled at his recent comment that all of us would see fewer deductions out of our paychecks while shooting for cutting the deficit by 50% within the confines of his first term in office.
Don’t get me wrong; I like the idea, I just don’t quite see how it’s going to work. To conquer such a financial burden it suggests, at minimum, keeping the tax program much like it is, but perhaps pulling back some of the overly generous gifts the last administration gave to the “haves”; then applying the maximum toward paying down the debt. Granted, stimulating growth and recovery will do a lot, but keeping the percentages the same would suggest the pay down would also happen quicker.
Seeing that the stimulus package is actually a series of loans makes sense, after all, how can you give something and receive nothing in return, especially when it’s money? Printing more will only cheapen the value of the existing dollar and the Nazi’s learned towards the end of their war, where people required a bushel basket of cash for a simple loaf of bread. It isn’t the volume of cash but the value of cash that is important.
And nationalizing banks? Hmmmm … I certainly hope that doesn’t come true, but revamping the Federal Reserve System is certainly long over due and putting the regulation in place that separated banks, investments, real estate & insurance industries is just common sense. The claim of deregulation just didn’t pan out and until a time comes when stealing a persons savings and pension earns a death penalty, I doubt that no regulation will ever guarantee no hanky panky.
I don’t expect to make any fast decisions, but for now I remain optimistic and hopeful. Frankly, even if it all blows up, I feel something that I haven’t felt for a chief of state in a very long time. Trust … and that, my friends is exactly what we will need to turn this whole mess around.
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:40 PM CST
Are You Dizzy Yet?
I can only speak for myself but right now I’m feeling a bit like the man that has taken in a bit too much fresh air and is feeling that wonderful dizziness that comes from being intensely aware. Watching this administration right so many wrongs that occurred over the past eight years is nothing less than impressive. I’m starting to think to myself that we finally have somebody that has actually read the Constitution and Bill of Rights and understands both it’s meaning AND intent! I don’t think there is a single word in the vocabulary that can express it all … well, maybe WOW. Yeah, that will do for now.
Obviously, not everyone is going to agree or be completely pleased, but the very fact that the slow and steady work of putting things right continues. Even more interesting is that we are starting to hear more serious talk about not only putting things right, but holding some of our trusted officials responsible for their actions is simply astounding. Although I did hear one person today say that they can’t take the former president and jail him for his actions. My question was “why not?” Other leaders in other countries have been held to this same standard. Embarrassing? Certainly! But let’s not forget the forced resignation of Richard M. Nixon and the country survived that one and some of the stunts that occurred with our liberties, rights, and laws aren’t that far a stretch. We Americans have always impressed other countries because we air our dirty laundry in public; something you won’t find that often around the world. When we screw up, we admit it.
I don’t expect miracles out of this President, but he’s giving me one thing I haven’t seen in an elected official in a long time. Truth, honesty, and a sincere effort to do the right thing. Not just a bunch of pretty words, but now, an honest effort to bring it to bear. Shoot, I think that’s what every American would like to be able to brag about their commander in chief.
So, if this is the sort of head spinning I can expect out of this fellow, please give me more! I’ll risk the cruel punishment of addiction to all this fresh air and I’ll keep gulping for another breath. The man is doing the right thing. I don’t think anyone can really expect much more, nor should we every have settled for anything less.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:37 PM CST
The 44 Magnum
And now we have read a page in history that just a few years ago would have been considered not only unlikely, but by most accounts, impossible. A president of color with a charm and charisma that we have seen in too few politicians over the past many decades. As I watch and read the many accounts of this young man’s rise to the presidency, there is an interesting coincidence that bears review.
In the history of our country, at every juncture where a person of mixed race or color has had to rise up to achieve greatness, there have always been roadblocks put in their path. Rarely are these easily overcome and only the strongest and most dedicated rise to the occasion. Events of great importance come to mind. Whether you consider Jackie Robinson’s entry into professional baseball, the Tuskegee Airmen’s flying accomplishments during the 2nd World War, Martin Luther Kings winning of the Nobel Peace Prize or the many similar achievements by persons of color, each and every one has been a road of great difficulty and challenge.
Perhaps this is the underlying reason for this man at this time. With our economy in shambles, the image of America so tarnished across the globe, wars that seem to be stalled and no way out, and the trust and faith of the American people so diminished and so untrusting of the very government they have elected … certainly this will be the new presidents impossible challenge. The words of an old neighbor of mine, spoken to a nice young black boyhood friend of mine, “here boy, you so damn smart, let’s see you make this dead crow fly”. It was one of my first experiences of witnessing first hand the very raciest attitudes I would later find were prevalent in my own neighborhood. “Boy, crow” … I had much to learn and the journey has been a long one.
So now, we have elected this dynamic young person of color, as if to challenge him and say “here boy, see if you can make this dead economy fly, and solve a few more complex problems in the mean time … if you dare!”. One thing is for sure; we would have been hard pressed to pick a better man to take on this challenge. All we have to do is look at some of the shots taken at him during his campaign and envy the man that managed to maintain his composure in the face of immense controversy, and still manage to also turn it into a history and civics lesson for us all.
Yes, this fourty-forth president will indeed need to bring that magnum personality to bear on so many of these problems, and no doubt, he’ll do so his own way, in his own style, and if my guess is right … like so many of his race, he’ll find a way to do so with a measured amount of humility, compassion, and leadership that any of us would like to see in our children.
If only John, Bobby, Martin, and my father could have lived to see this day …
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 8:24 PM CST
Just A Heal?
As I read the reports of a reporter throwing a shoe, then another at GW Bush I couldn’t help but laugh and think how lucky he was that was the only thing that was thrown at him. It got me thinking about earlier times when presidents and all sorts of elected officials often faced barrages of rotten fruit & vegetables. A sort of semi-civilized way for the common person to register their dissatisfaction with a person of power. Rarely was there a more serious altercation but on some occasions a punch might be thrown as well.
I wonder, just a bit out loud, if JW Bush is really so foolish as to think that now that he is leaving office, it will all be forgive and forget? Surely this poorly informed, former drunk can’t be so foolish as to think the world will ever forgive him for hatching one of the more useless wars we have engaged in, nor are they likely to forget that when the countries economy was entering dire straits, he was trying to save his reputation, but in the end just stumbled once again with the every worsening housing crises.
Most of all, I hope that congress will reduce his funding for a presidential library to something more fitting like a broken down book mobile stocked with books about goats and other more fitting figures for a man that shows as much compassion toward the common man as … well, I honestly can’t think of anything bad enough to compare.
Perhaps it was a fitting gesture to toss heals at a heal, but “W” better watch his step; if this is a fitting tribute he might have a harder time dodging that flying jackass that will certainly be coming his way!
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:41 PM CST
Surviving The Crunch
A friend of mine read this editorial before I posted it and said “well heck, any darn fool should be able to figure that out” … unfortunately, like most, he too is up to his ears in credit card debt, a big house note, and has a job that could end tomorrow … oh yes, and he has only enough savings to survive about 90 days. I remember those days all too well and I remember 15 years ago when I promised myself I was going to get out from under, no matter what it took.
And now, with the condo sold, no credit card debt what so ever and enough cash on hand to survive for nearly 10 years without touching any of my investments … I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Of course, I’m a renter again and looking for a house, but this time I’ll pay cash and on my budget still be able to survive jobless for four years. The job I’m in is fairly stable, for the time being, but I’ll save like crazy to rebuild up my reserves at the same time.
I must say, it’s certainly a lot different than they hay day my father grew old in. Of course, near the end he too was struggling a bit, but he knew he’d have enough to get him to the end and have some to leave the rest of us too. I looked back and tried to figure out exactly when I became a “saver”. It’s hard to say exactly, but I think it was when I realized that my credit card interest payment was more than my utility bills. Now, when I come to think of it, it actually was the time I was able to convince myself to actually save for something I wanted rather than charge it. In the long run, it turned out to be something I really didn’t need and ended up not buying it. That set the wheels in motion. I started noticing how many things I thought I wanted because of all the hype and packaging, but when I got down to it, I just didn’t need them and was better off for not having bought them.
Last time around, when I really needed a new car, I could pay cash and did. There’s a certain reward in watching a salesman’s face when they realize that despite the old jeans and T-shirt, you don’t need his loan application and it really stuns them when you DEMAND another $1,000 off because you are paying cash. Wow … the power of the consumer. It isn’t dead, we just let it slip away. You can only imagine the last real estate “professional” that hear me say this was a cash deal so they better get their seller in the right frame of mind or I’m going to another house….
Yeah, you certainly don’t have to be rich, in fact the old man left me a very important piece of advice that has certainly come true. He’d say “boy, if you want to be rich it’s not about how much you make, but about how little you spend”. Yep Pop, you were right again and I especially miss you and all that great advice …….
Posted: Thu Nov 6, 2008 7:56 PM CST
Snapshots In Time
It has been said from time to time that during one’s lifetime there are usually three events in which you can recount exactly where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news of that event. Usually these are events of some dramatic proportions, so thinking back, I too can remember a few; maybe you can answer that question for yourself:
Where were you when . . . . .
JFK was assassinated
Man first walked on the moon
Martin was assassinated
Bobby was assassinated
Nixon Resigned
Challenger exploded
The Berlin wall fell
Oklahoma City was bombed
The twin towers fell
The first black man was elected president
There is no political statement, just an observation that comes from growing older and remembering only a few significant events of my life. I was surprised at the number I came up with and no doubt there are more that others will remember because of their own personal interest and signifigance.
I hope I life long enough to see the first woman elected president and I would very much like to see the prestige and honor of our nation once again returned to it’s former greatness. But mostly I think I would like to see a government that was able to once again regain the trust and respect of all the citizens of this country. That would be a worthy goal for any administration to set … despite it’s loftiness.
Posted: Tue Nov 4, 2008 10:26 PM CST
The Legacy
When the speeches have fallen silent, the festive moods have calmed, and the clamor for just one more recounting of the victorious moments has finally subsided, how will he govern? Martin reminded us not to judge a man by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. The question now will be how much of that character will we see and how will it carry him over those inevitable rough times ahead.
The greatness of our nation is clearly on display to the rest of the world, once again demonstrating to all that we, the Americans, are able to grow, to evolve, and to do the unexpected, all in order for us to to them as well as ourselves that we are indeed a melting pot in which anyone can grow up to become President of these United States.
Not unlike many minorities, this president will be handed the problems of the country as well as many of the problems of the free world. He will have to find creative ways to not only pull the parties together, but to hold them together in ways that will allow them to deal with the problems of the day. And through this he will face internal bigotry, hate, and that ugly undercurrent of both those that were not on his side and those that would actively seek his downfall, both politically as well as personally.
It will indeed be a measure of his resolve. No doubt he knows the expectations will be high and the road ahead will be just as rough as it has been throughout his life. He must find a way to bring about financial cures as well as healing the image of America throughout the world. He has indeed been handed the smelly side of the stick. Only time will tell how eloquently he handles it.
Only a scant number of men have mustered the courage to hold such a low paying position throughout time and as with each of them, the support of the American people will be pivotal in their success or failure. Now the time comes for all of us to pull together, put aside our differences, celebrate another smooth transition of government, and do that which is necessary to again put the US back on top of the world.
I congratulate and honor Senator McCain for showing good sportsmanship and recognizing the victor. Unlike past competitors, the Senator understands the benefit of a clear and unquestionable succession with little debate or hostility.
Regardless of our political views, we have a new President America. Let us pull together and once again strive to create that shining house upon a hill that another great president spoke of. It is that which makes us great and it is that which causes the remainder of the world to envy us and want so much to be like us.