When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.
‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things—
Your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—
And if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else—the small stuff.
‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
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Spend time with your children.
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Spend time with your parents.
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Visit with grandparents.
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Take your spouse out to dinner.
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Play another 18.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
Take care of the golf balls first—the things that really matter.
Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.
The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’
The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.
What a great thing to teach our kids! These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Children · Family · God · Parenting · Personal · Society · Words That Resonate
Apparently, the by-product of loyalty is belligerence!!
This is, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: A Thought
I have come to the conclusion that sanity among the human race is an anomaly.
This is, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: A Thought
Tagged: Humanity, People
A Societal Observation
(Positive outcomes are not guaranteed)
Division I: Nothingness
Step 1: Know nothing;
Caller: Hi, I’d like to speak to my child?
Answerer: He’s not here.
Caller: What do you mean he’s not there?
Answerer: You never dropped him off.
Step 2: Admit nothing;
Caller: I did drop him off.
Answerer: I’m looking at the log. You never signed him in.
Caller: Yes I did.
Answerer: No sir. I’m looking at the log. You’re names not on it.
Caller: Well I wanted to sign him in. No one was at the desk.
Step 3: Receive Nothing;
Answerer: Sir we sent you a notice in the mail regarding our new sign-in procedure.
Caller: I never got it. We have a lot of trouble with the mail where I live.
Answerer: Yes sir. I’m sorry you didn’t get it. Here’s what I can do. Did you receive the coupon for the free Ice Cream for your child we sent in the mail?
Caller: I did.
Answerer: We can double it. Would that be okay?
Caller: Well yes. But I’m more concerned about your failure to notify me that the sign in procedure has changed.
Answerer: I am sorry you did not receive our letter….
Caller: I doubt you even sent it.
Answerer: Yes sir. We also sent you an email with the same information.
Caller: I never got no email.
Answerer: Is your email none@none.com?
Caller: Yes, but I didn’t see no email. How can you expect me to know the new @#$%#$@ sign-in procedure if I don’t @#%#$@ see them?
Answerer: So you’re saying sir, you didn’t see them?
Caller: That’s right!
Answerer: Sir we called you on 05/05/2008 and spoke with you regarding the new procedures that were going to be put in place. After we reviewed the changes we asked if you understood the process and you said yes.
Step 4: Hear Nothing;
Caller: I never heard you tell me about the new sign in procedure. Don’t you think, if I had heard about it I would have done it. You must be stupid. Don’t you think I would have asked some questions?
Answerer: Yes sir. In that phone call we also mentioned that we would be having an In-service, for all customers to attend, to better explain and provide a comfort level with the new sign-procedure.
Caller: I didn’t know anything about any service thing you’re talking about.
Answerer: Yes sir. At the in-service you stood up and asked a question regarding the sign-in procedure. Specifically you asked, ” would there be anyone at the desk during the sign-in procedure?” to which you were specifically told, “No”
Caller: I couldn’t have possibly been at that meeting. I was deathly ill and in the emergency room.
Answerer: Sir, we have you on video tape.
Division II: Transference
Step 5: Obvious Observations;
Caller: If you have me on tape then you can easily see I am in no condition to receive any training in sign-in procedures. I was on deaths door for goodness sake.
Answerer: Yes sir. After the in-service we had an ice-breaker to get to know the staff and other customers. We served punch and cake.
Caller: I’m allergic to cake.
Answerer: Yes sir. You and your wife stood up and did the hula for everyone.
Step 6: Assigning Blame;
Caller: My wife doesn’t dance. If she was dancing she must have been delirious. What was in the punch that made her delirious? This is just great. First you accuse me of asking a question during an in-service I couldn’t possibly attended and now you’ve poisoned my wife with your wicked “punch” causing her her to dance the hula.
Answerer: yes sir I…….
Division III: Plausible Deniability
Step 7: Becoming a Lawyer;
Caller: Listen F******D .. This call is being recorded. I want you to answer me. Did you or did you not have my wife dancing the hula at your service thingy.
Answerer: Yes sir. She did agree to participate..as did you.
Step 8: Communicating Clearly;
Caller: I don’t ******* care what you ******* say about some ******* tape you have or any ******* question I supposedly ******* asked. I bet you don’t even have a ******* tape. How am I supposed to know that you have a ******* tape. You’re Probably ****** lying. All I wanted to do was talk to my ******* kid and you ******* denied me.
Step 9: Ask for Assistance;
Caller: I want your ******* name and badge number.
Answerer: My name Illya Kuryakin and my badge # is 12345.
Caller: You have been incredably rude. Who is your supervisor.
Answerer: Napoleon Solo
Caller: Get him on the ******* phone right ******* now. I can’t believe you won’t let me talk to my son.
Answerer: Sir never said I wouldn’t let you talk to your son.
Caller: Yes you did.
Answerer: No, I said you’re son wasn’t here.
Step 10: Accept Victory;
Caller: So you’re saying, if I bring my son down right now, you would let me talk to him.
Answerer: Yes sir, if he were here.
Caller: Well it’s a bout ******* time! (CLICK)
THIS CONVERSATION IS FICTIONAL. ANY SIMILARITY TO ACTUAL EVENTS IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL.
(But not very unexpected)
These are after all the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Top 10
Tagged: Humor, integrity, Society, Work
I have often wondered what a conversation with my dad, whom I have never known, would be like. When I meet him, what would I want to do first, what would be the important things I’d want him to know? This song captures all that for me.
finally home
I’m gonna wrap my arms around my daddy’s neck
And tell him that i’ve missed him
And tell him all about the man that i became
And hope that it pleased him
There’s so much i want to say
There’s so much I want you to know
When I finally make it home
When I finally make it home
Then i’ll gaze upon the throne of the king
Frozen in my steps
And all the questions that i swore i would ask
Words just won’t come yet
So amazed at what i’ve seen
So much more than this old mind can hold
Chorus
And the sweetest sound my ears have yet to hear
Voices of the angels
Chorus
Written by MercyMe
© 2007 Simpleville Music / Wet As A Fish Music / ASCAP
Administered by Simpleville Music, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Categories: Words That Resonate
Tagged: Children, Family, God, Personal, Personal reflection
I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s OK
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
I’m finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice
Chorus (repeat)
I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s OK
Written by MercyMe and Peter Kipley
© 2002 Simpleville Music (ASCAP)/Songs from the Indigo Room (SESAC)
Categories: Words That Resonate
Tagged: God, Jesus, Love, Music, Personal, Spiritual
This really makes me laugh and ansers so many questions…
A Washington, DC, Airport Ticket Agent offers some examples of why the US is in trouble!
1. I had a New Hampshire Congresswoman ask for an aisle seat so that her hair wouldn’t get messed up by being near the window. (On an airplane!)
2. I got a call from a candidate’s staffer, who wanted to go to Cape Town. I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information, and then she interrupted me with,
‘I’m not trying to make you look stupid, but Cape Town is in Massachusetts ‘
Without trying to make HER look stupid, I calmly explained, ‘Cape COD is in Massachusetts. Cape TOWN is in Africa …’
Her response . . . click.
3. A senior Vermont Congressman called, furious about a Florida package we did. I asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando. He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. I tried to explain th at’s not possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state.
He replied, ‘Don’t lie to me, I looked on the map and Florida is a very thin state!’ (OMG)
4. I got a call from a lawmaker’s wife who asked, ‘Is it possible to see
England from Canada ?’
I said, ‘No.’
She said, ‘But they look so close on the map.’ (OMG, again!)
5.5. An aide for a cabinet member once called and asked if he could rent a car in Dallas. When I pulled up the reservation, I noticed he had only a 1-hour layover in Dallas.
When I asked him why he wanted to rent a car, he said, ‘I heard Dallas was a big airport, and we will need a car to drive between gates to save time.’ (Aghhhh)
6. An Illinois Congresswoman called last week. She wanted to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:30 am and got to Chicago at 8:33 am.
I explained that Michigan was an hour ahead of Illinois, but she couldn’t
understand the concept of time zones.
Finally, I told her the plane went fast, and she bought that.
7. A New York lawmaker called and asked, ‘Do airlines put your physical
description on your bag so they know whose luggage belongs to whom?’
I said, ‘No, why do you ask?’
She replied, ‘Well, when I checked in with the airline, they put a tag on my luggage that said (FAT), and I’m overweight. I think that’s very rude!’
After putting her on hold for a minute while I looked into it (I was
laughing), I came back and explained the city code for Fresno, CA is FAT (Fresno Air Terminal), and the airline was just putting a destination tag on her luggage.
8. A Senator’s aide called to inquire about a trip package to Hawaii.
After going over all the cost info, she asked, ‘Would it be cheaper to f ly to California, and then take the train to Hawaii?’
9. I just got off the phone with a freshman Congressman who was calling from the airport and asked, ‘How do I know which plane to get on?’
I asked him what exactly he meant, to which he replied, ‘I was told my
flight number is 823, but none of these planes have numbers on them.’
10. A lady Senator called and said, ‘I need to fly to Pepsi-Cola, Florida.
Do I have to get on one of those little computer planes?’
I asked if she meant fly to Pensacola , Fl. on a commuter plane.
She said, ‘Yeah, whatever, smarty!’
11. A senior Senator called and had a question about the documents he
needed in order to fly to China. After a lengthy discussion about passports, I reminded him that he needed a visa.
‘Oh, no I don’t. I’ve been to China many times and never had to have one of those.’ He said.
I double checked and sure enough, his stay required a visa.
When I told him this he said, ‘Look, I’ve been to China four times and every
time they have accepted my American Express!’
12. A New Mexico Congresswoman called to make reservations, ‘I want to go from Chicago to Rhino, New York’
I was at a loss for words. Finally, I said, ‘Are you sure that’s the name
of the town?’
‘Yes. What flights do you have?’ replied the lady.
After some searching, I came back with, ‘I’m sorry, ma’am, I’ve looked up every airport code in the country and can’t find a Rhino anywhere.’
The lady retorted, ‘Oh, don’t be silly! Everyone knows where it is. Check your map!’
So I scoured a map of the state of New York and finally offered, ‘You don’t mean Buffalo, do you?’
The reply?
‘Whatever! I knew it was a big animal.’
Now you know why the Government is in the shape that it’s in
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Humor · Polititians
Tagged: country, government, Humor, Politics
I find myself watching the Gospel Music Channel occasionally and, on a recent foray ran smack dab into a song the Oak Ridge Boys were singing.
It smacked me in the face and caused me to look in the mirror. I was both ashamed and discouraged at the answers to the questions.
DID I MAKE A DIFFERENCE
I’m caught up in the push and shove:
The daily grind, burning times, spinning wheels;
I wonder what I’m doing here;
Day to day, year to year, standing still.
Somewhere there’s a teacher with a heart that never quits;
Staying after school to help some inner city kids;
A mother who’s a volunteer; a soldier in the fight;
I can’t help but ask myself when I lay down at night.
Did I make a difference in somebodies life;
What hurts did I heal;
What wrongs did right;
Did I raise my voice in defense of the truth;
Did I lend my hand to the destitute;
When my race is won, when my song is sung;
Will I have to wonder;
Did I make difference;
Did I make a difference.
I’ve been working hard to make a living;
And forgetting what true living is;
Taking more than giving; somethings missing;
Lord, How can I go on like this;
There’s a lonely old man down the street…and I should be ashamed;
Ive never been to see him, I don’t even know his name;
There’s kids without their supper in my own neighborhood;
Will I look back someday and say I did all I could.
Did I make a difference in somebodies life;
What hurts did I heal;
What wrongs did right;
Did I raise my voice in defense of the truth;
Did I lend my hand to the destitute;
When my race is won, when my song is sung;
Will I have to wonder;
Did I make difference;
Did I make a difference.
When my race is won, when my song is sung;
Will I have to wonder;
Did I make difference;
Did I make a difference.
When my race is won, when my song is sung;
Will I have to wonder;
Did I make difference;
Did I make a difference.
DID I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Sung by: the Oak Ridge Boys
Music and Lyrics By: Rob Cosby and Bill Anderson
Upon reflection, while I should be ashamed…I have found hope. Like Ebenezer Scrooge, the reality I faced in the mirror were images that May be true, not images that MUST be true. There is hope.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: God In Me · Personal
Tagged: Commitment, Music, Oak Ridge Boys, Personal reflection, Spiritual
I need to say this at the outset. When is comes to pro-life or pro-choice…I’m pro-choice!
We may differ as to what that means but when asked…I’m pro-choice. Where we differ may be in when we believe we make the choice.
Having said that, I have to ask….
Have you noticed that those conservative voices who scream at the top of their lungs that pro-choice means pro-murder are the same voices who protest, just as loudly, those who call sending young people to war murder?
Here’s my question:
At what point in a childs’ life does your pro-life agenda end?
Similarly for the pro-choice people:
Isn’t it infinitely more egregious that a child’s parents choose to kill them than a total stranger ?
These are after all the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Questions that need answers
Tagged: Abortion, Children, Circle of life, Family, Honesty, Personal, Politics, Pro-Choice, Pro-Life, Society
Okay…so I haven’t been here much. I have recently discovered “Facebook”, and have been engrossed in learning to use it and playing on it. It is interesting but I have grown weary of it, and find myself spending less and less time . I have, however, learned some very valuable things.
For instance:
If you:
“John took the IQ Test and has an IQ score of 108, which is in the top 60th percent of Facebook users.”
Keep working at something:
“John took the IQ Test and has an IQ score of 113, which is in the top 70th percent of Facebook users.”
You can perfect it:
“John took the Mensa IQ Test and scored a 148 (20 of 20 correct).
His IQ of 148 is in the top 98, which is in the genius range compared to the average person (IQ of 100); and also far superior when compared to the average Facebook user (IQ of 108).”
As long as they don’t change the questions.
Or,
The more money you have:
“Mafia Wars
Cash ( Go to Bank )
$20,694,841,417″
The more friends you have:
“My Mafia (3678 +1)”
And:
The more Friends you have:
“Someone has invited you to be in their Mafia. View and accept.”
“ghost man needs your help on a job. Click here to help out ghost” man.
“You fought as Methos’s Capo. Together you defeated garlic face and you received $0 for doing so.”
“You fought as Big \\\\\\\\\\”eightfinger\\\\\\\\\\” Louis’s Capo. Together you defeated Reeves and you received $0 for doing so.”
The more money you need.
And finally…
The most important thing I learned:
“John completed the quiz “How Well do you know Women??” with the result: Excellent!! (100%).
You’ve Got to be Kidding Me!! Either you’re an expert on the field of Women, or you’ve cheated!! Or else, you might just be a women who has taken the quiz to see if it’s really authentic! Whatever it is, Congratulations…. You’re an Expert on the most difficult topic on earth…. Women!!.”
False positives are real and should not be taken for granted!!!
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Humor · Personal
Tagged: Blogging, Facebook, Fun, Me, Personal, Women
December 25, 2008 · 1 Comment
I need to say this upfront. I am not a professional economist. I am an abider. I have to live within the economy but I do not have an experts insight into economics. That being said, I have an opinion based on observation. As you may have guessed….I’m going to share it.
Here are my premises:
We live in a growth based economy.
In order for it to succeed, it needs to get bigger.
Our economy does that by companies selling more.
Corporations are built upon the premises that:
1) Growth happens when they sell more,
2) Competition, though required, is a bad thing.
3) All Americans should buy more and pay more than anyone else.
On a corporate level, Profit is bad and less profit is worse. The only good profit is “more profit”.
This means there can be no top. There can be no point at which we as consumers can spend less.
If we do spend less, corporations make less money and our economy declines.
If you agree with the premises and I’m not sure anyone will, then you might also agree with me that our economic strategies are flawed.
Here’s how:
We have determined that the short term solution to a declining economy is the infusion of short term cash to encourage us to spend more in the long term. These “stimulus packages” are intended to get us back to the credit table so we may withdraw more of what we haven’t yet earned and give it to those who have earned enough but are not happy with that.
Our growth economy does have a top. There is a point when consumers will stop paying to buy more because they don’t have it to spend or because the acquisitions of the past are requiring that they slow down their spending until they “catch-up”.
The Corporate concept of ”catch-up” and the consumer concept of catch-up is different. Consumers need to find a point at which they can manage their households and expand their own economy gradually.
Corporate catch-up is that point at which I convince you to buy more. I will employ any tactic. I will, cheat, steal, lie, coerce, manipulate, exaggerate, and commiserate, with my friends, enemies, and governmental officials. I will use my children, my wife, your children, your wife, your patriotism, your sense of responsibility, your sense of duty, your sense of outrage, your guilt, your insecurities, your neighbors, their neighbors, your friends , their friends, your children’s friends, and the local media. I will assault you until you realize that every dollar you receive has my name on it. And I will have it. Even if I have to pry out from your cold, dead fingers.
This is my solution:
We need to stop participating in the cororate economy. Buy local from people who,like ourselves, have a real connection to the community.
We need to understand that we hold the power. That means instead of believing in the threat of massive layoffs if we stop buying what we don’t need through big box stores run by giant corporations, buy from your next door neighbor who has a real concern for your community and then participate in the local economy by offering a product or service of your own in your community. The reality is that by watching corporate america gag itself with its own economic vomit we will put more Americans back to work and bring back the America our forefathers dreamed of built on values, local control and community involvement. We are now slaves to the corporate concept of the American way and our government is a willing participant in collusion with the World Bank the United Nations and the IMF.
We need to rethink the value we place on things and remember the value we placed in people and the value people placed in us.
Stop buying into the Bullshit that says we live in a global economy.
Remember that while the Chinese people produce just about everything we consume, they can not afford to purchase any of it.
Buy locally…..Think locally.
These are, after all, the musing of a mind that wanders
Categories: Enonomics · Politics · Society · country · policy
Tagged: country, Dishonesty, Economy, Family, integrity, Politics, Society, Work
To find out more about the Massey Ratings Click here.
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2008 | National
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Massey Prediction
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Categories: Uncategorized
This passage has been attributed to George Carlin as well as a witness to the Columbine murders. It was, however, originally written by Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, Wa. Though he was forced to retire in disgrace over inappropriate behavior, the sentiment is right on and should cause all of us to pause.
The Paradox of Our Time
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways,but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. ; We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. Indeed these are the times.
Categories: Society · Spiritual
Tagged: changes, Character, Honesty, integrity, morality, Values, What we need to do, What we've done, Who we are
I have heard for the longest time that Jerry Lewis was the King of Comedy. He’s funny, I’ll give him that and I love his movies. I remember as a kid looking forward to every Jerry Lewis movie that came out. But I could never imagine sitting down and eating lunch with him. Well… I could imagine it…I’m just not sure I could afford it, what with the agent fees, the booking fees, the limousine and those special water glasses Mr. Lewis just has to have……
There is one though with whom I could imagine sitting down with having conversation, a meal and a good time. I can imagine him as a real pal and friend. An honest to God, good guy who wouldn’t take himself so seriously.
What’s surprising is that his persona is exactly opposite. He’d just as soon rip ya’ to shreds as look at ya’ and nobody was above his “nastiness”. Yet every body who was anybody knew they had made it if they were slain by “Mr Warmth”. I’m talking of course about Don Rickles.
It said that he honed he craft learning to respond to hecklers. His off the cuff insults were appreciated more than his prepared material and his career was off and running. He worked at the request sometimes of the very stars he insulted. They love him and I think I know why.
Don Rickles is more than a comedian. He is a real person who loves the people he insults. A caring ,lovable man who reminds us that we needn’t take ourselves so seriously that we can’t laugh at ourselves and who isn’t shy about taking a poke at even himself.
When the times comes, as it does for all of us, when we are no longer blessed with the ”Merchant of Venom”, I hope we remember the lesson buried in his comedy. We are all just people and we can all best get along when we can laugh along……………..at ourselves.
I’m sure when Mr. Rickles approaches heaven there will be a brief pause, a sudden stillness, a gasp, and a breathless moment. Don Rickles and God will stand face to face. All the angels in heaven and all creation will wait to see ………………………………………who speaks first.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Humor · The world as I see it
Tagged: comedy, Don Rickles, funny comedian, good guy
Let me start out by saying I work for a major personal lines insurance company and have done so for the past 15 years. When I started we had an agreement. I would take care of them…and they would take care of me. Our relationship was symbiotic. That is to say, it was a mutually beneficial relationship.
Or it was. You see this great bastion of holistic equality, diversity, customer and employee-centricity, ethics, morality, fairness, excellence, and profits led by a CEO who believes he is running an IT company that happens to sell insurance and whom implemented a failed strategy for growth based on giving the customer anything he asks for and, as a impetus for employee buy-in, used a compensation award for excellent performance as a sword to slash the payout unless his objectives were realized, has again wheeled the axe to employee benefits by signing on to a medical benefits package far inferior to the previous package and costly to the employees he swears he cares about. Oh and we probably should mention that he also hired on to the Board of Directors a Board member of the insurance company he contracted with.
This may sound like mumbly-gook to you right now. I’m sorry for that. I’m furious and I need to spew.
I’ll only add this…. If Flo were dead, she’d be rolling over in her grave right now.
This is, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Personal · The world as I see it
Tagged: Benefits, Betrayal, Corporate Distrust, Employees, Employers, Healthcare, Mismanagement
I saw this posted by someone on a forum I frequent and had to pass it on.
Q:I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A:Your heart is only good for so many beats,and that’s it . . Don’t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that’s like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A:You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat?
Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables.
So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system.
Need grain? Eat chicken
Beef is also a good source of field grass(green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reducemy alcohol intake?
A:No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottomsup
Q:How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A:Well,if you have a body and you have fatyour ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.
Q:What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A:Can’t think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is:No Pain…Good
Q:Aren’t fried foods bad for you?
A:YOU’RE NOT LISTENING!!!. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q:Will sit-ups help preventme from getting a little soft around the middle?
A:Definitely not!When you exercise a muscle,it gets bigger. You should only be doingsit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q:Is chocolate bad for me?
A:Are you crazy? HELLO–Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It’s the best feel-good food around!
Q:Is swimming good for your figure?
A:If swimming is goodfor your figure, explain whales to me.
Well, I hope this has cleared upany misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Chardonnay in one hand – chocolate in the other – body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘WOO HOO, What a Ride!!!
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Humor
Tagged: Doctors, Exercize, Health, Nutrition
My rant today concerns the medical community. The sad state of affairs in regards to medical expediency, caring, “support” staff, customer service, and the almighty dollar. I have come to expect less than stellar performance from our gang hospital mentality.
See as many as possible for as short a time as possible for as much as possible and don’t ask me to care. Give me cattle drivers and cowpokes for support staff and concentrate my competency in the billing department.
This seems to be the mantra of Doctors offices and Hospitals across the country. Caring for the sick is a long forgotten premise. This professional virtue so prevalent in early medicine has been replaced by a concern for billing hours and insurance processing. The measure of a Doctors competency is no longer measured by his skill and professionalism. It is instead, measured by the size of the bill and the competency of the billing staff.
In the past two weeks I have three examples. I will share the first here:
Headline: Appointment with a pain management Dr. at 8:00 am for a 10 minute procedure causes unending pain.
We were early for the appointment and I had just worked all night. The Dr showed up 3 hours late and the only info the staff would give is that we are running “behind”. We spent 4 hours in the Dr’s. office for a simple 10 minute procedure. Ridiculous!
While I was waiting I was able to observe the office staff.
One Lady was late showing up (I believe in this office it is sign of importance). She then quickly plugged into a phone, answered a phone call, and advised the caller she would need to research the question and asked if she would like to hold. She then turned around and starting talking to other office staff about the productivity reports and how just the other day management had questioned her as to why she had not taken any calls. She went on to explain that she was on the phone. She was sure of it as she handling a patient of Dr . So-and-So. The other office lady, who had patients waiting at the counter to check in, turned around and advised her that she just knows the reports are wrong and she disputes almost every one.
If you remember there is a customer on hold. And if you remembered, you have a leg up on the young lady who answered the call. It seems somewhere between answering the phone and putting her caller on hold she has lost her hair brush. Apparently it is her favorite brush that must have some sentimental meaning. She was all over the office looking for that brush….which she found….right beside the phone.
She now recognizes she has left the caller and hold. She picks up the phone and ever so sincerely apologizes for taking so much time she will just be a minute and…..ZAP! Back on hold she went.
Now the office manager comes in with an important survey that needs to be answered without delay. The office manager sits with her back to the patient waiting room (and her butt beside the phone with the holding call) draws the 2 girls at the counter into a team meeting to discuss protocol for medical emergencies in the office or on the phone.
Meeting done the young lady with the terminally held patient returns to pick up the phone only to find she has since hung up….or passed on. She hangs up the phone and comments to her office buddy that she doesn’t understand why people can be more patient.
Needless to say, I am no longer a patient. I have my file in hand and am searching back-roads and small country towns looking for the physician who remembers what it means to serve mankind, has a passion for healing, and a heart for doing good. Its gonna take me a while. But the walk will do me good. I suspect, so will the wait.
This is, after all the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: The world as I see it
Tagged: Doctors, Hospitals, Medicine, Patients, Patients as customers, Poor quality
I am amazed at what I continue to learn about the world, the creation, the nature and purpose of man, the intricacies of child rearing and mentoring, and a whole host of things I either considered myself full up by experience or run-out in terms of topics. What surprises me most is that I am not yet done learning about me.
Does that sound as odd to you as it does to me? I had been told from the time I was a little boy as I complained about having to go to school when older kids didn’t have to, that “you never stop learning”. Why now am I surprised?
My most persistent and most recent lesson is about death and dying. For the record, I am not afraid of dying. I, in fact, welcome it at times. I have no problem with the process of dying as I find it quite normal. It does complete the circle of life after all. I can handle the process and the pondering, the waiting and wonderment, the closing of not just the chapter, but the book. What I don’t do well is live on afterwards.
I have always considered myself well adjusted especially when it came to death and dying. I did, after all, work half my career in the home care and durable medical equipment field. I was used to meeting people at the end of their story waiting for the author of life to write those final words…The End. Many times I would meet someone in the morning on a delivery of a hospital bed or oxygen set-up and return that evening to pick up the same equipment and share my condolences with the family of the dearly departed. I was comfortable with death.
What I hadn’t had was any experience with …the day after. Once I picked up the equipment and paid my respects I left the home and went on about my business. I never experienced the loss that follows. That is what has become he most difficult lesson to learn.
It has impacted not only me but those I care about deeply. I have become withdrawn and non-communicative. I have sought to make myself so busy I can not find the time to connect with those people also affected by the tragic loss of my mother. I have become irritable at the notion that I have kept those familial relationships at bay and found excuses for keeping them that way. I do not use the word tragic lightly and I recognize that, to some, this may seem melodramatic.
The truth is….I am scared. I am scared that such a loss will most certainly happen again. That it will, again, be someone I care most deeply about, who watched over me, and protected me from harm as a child. I am afraid I cannot stop it and do not want to experience it again. I, for the first time, understand the circle of life and have seen it completed.
I realize now that I must find away to push through the fear and uncertainty and close ranks, if it is not to late, with the people I care most about ……those I am most afraid of losing. It is up to me to step forward and conquer what most frightens me. It is the only way to continue the memory of those who have gone on and celebrate the life of one who lived most fully and closed the circle of life in this world to begin a new one with God and the angels in heaven.
This is, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Personal · The world as I see it
Tagged: Circle of life, Death, Dying, Family, Fear
Someday….someday……
10) No sir, I’m not new. I’ve been with this company far longer than you have.
9) I’m not sure sir let me check. “HEY ANYBODY KNOW, AM I SOME KIND OF AN IDIOT”?
8) I can think of 3 reasons why you didn’t get any of the communications we sent you.
a) You’re to dumb to turn your computer on
b) You didn’t pay your phone bill either
c) You’ve talked to the postman the same way you’re talking to me
7) Ma’am you raise a good point. At your recommendation I am going to submit a request to my manager for a hearing test. I just might be deaf.
6) Would you like some cheese with that whine?
5) Well yes sir, it does make sense to me but then I was blessed with the ability to understand even the simplest concept.
4) Hmm… Can I tell you anyone who would buy a brand new luxury vehicle and not protect it with comprehensive and collision coverage? Well……………….. let’s see…………….There’s….YOU!
3) So your contention is that anyone with half-a-brain would not have cancelled their policy. Okay………..I better speak slowly.
2) Well sir, we had no choice. We had to charge it as an at fault accident. The evidence we gathered was compelling. All the other trees agreed. The tree you hit was parked at the side of the road minding its own business.
And the Number 1 thing I’d like to say to a customer………
I know the ******* company canceled your ******** policy and left you high and dry without any ******* coverage on your ******* brand new ******* vehicle.
But you ignored every ******* letter, every ******* email, and every ******* phone call for the past four ******* weeks.
Perhaps, if you were a little more ******* responsible, you could’ve gotten up off your ******* lazy ******* *** and paid the ******* bill on ******* time for a change so we wouldn’t have had to ******* notify the state on your sorry *** and cancel your ******* policy!
Is there anythingelse I can help you with today?
Thank you for calling.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: The world as I see it · Top 10
Tagged: Humor, Personal, Work
Boy have I been away. There are so many things going on right now I can’t keep up. I decided I need a list. So here goes:
- 1. New Hire Guideline module developement and training facilitation at work
- 2. New Hire Launch Pad Coach support at work
- 3. Binding verification Refresher Developement and training facilitation at work
- 4. Proof of Garaging Refresher Developement and training facilitation at work
- 5. Western Union Refesher Developement and training facilitation at work
- 6. 2 Bathroom renovation Project at home
- 7. A bedroom, hallway and stair renovation project at home
- 8. Plan a kitchen renovation project at home
- 9. Maintain a recreation Baseball League website
- 10. Coordinate On-line registration and registration communication for the baseball league
As you can see a very busy month. I wish I could have spent more time here. This is truly fun for me. It gets me an oppurtunity to share what I think and pretend some ones is listening.
This is, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Top 10
Tagged: Blogging, Personal
I’ve been tagged by Mike at Simply a Night Owlto participate in a “simple” meme with “simple” rules. They are:Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!!
Find the first 5 sentences
Post the next 3 sentences
Tag 5 people
Here’s mine from “The Price of Loyalty-George W Bush, the White House, and the Education of Paul O’Neill“
“It just doesn’t make sense,” O’Neill agreed. A decade of dialolgue about the evidence of climate change and a responsible international response was shattered, along with the hard work to find a middle ground between economic progress and environmental good sense-a conversation that had been progressing with sound results since nixon created EPA. “We just gave away the environment,” O’Neill told Whitman. “For no good reason.”
Very interesting Book. It gives great incite into how a president sets an agenda.
Now I tag:
Giselle
Dave
Cat
Oneblessedmom
LadyG
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Tagged
Tagged: Books
I received the below note the other day that I thought was pretty interesting:
This is too true to be funny. The next time you hear a politician use the
word ‘billion’ in a casual manner, think about whether you want the ‘politicians’ spending YOUR tax money.
A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.
- A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
- B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.
- C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were
living in the Stone Age.
- D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.
- E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and
20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.
That’ good for a start. Want more???? Good!
While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let’s take a look at New Orleans It’s amazing what you can learn with some simple division.
Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking the Congress for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans . Interesting number, what does it mean?
- A. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, child), you each get $516,528.
- B. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans , your home gets $1,329,787.
- C. Or, if you are a family of four, your family gets $2,066,012.
Washington, D.C .. HELLO!!! … Are all your calculators broken??
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Perm it Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax.
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What happened? Can you spell ‘politicians!’
And I still have to ‘press 1′ for English.
I hope this goes around THE USA at least 100 times
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: The world as I see it
Tagged: Politics, Society
5000 Visitors.I made it!!!
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Achievement
Tagged: Blogging, Personal
I got this idea from Sean at Samish Patrol and thought I wanted to make my own. It’s kinda cool to think about what you’ve done, what you’ve wanted to do, what you want to do now and, what you must get done. So here we go.This is my bucket list.
- (1) Cruise the Panama Canal, Visit Russia, Greece, Italy, and every state in the US
- (2) Learn to raise chickens and cattle and other farm animals
- (3) Work my own small farm
- (4) Have Grandchildren
- (5) Pastor
- (6) Work less…Play more
- (7) Travel the Transcanadian Highway in its entirety
- (8) Work a Lobster Boat
- (9) Write a book
- (10)Take a nap
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Top 10
Tagged: Personal, Spiritual
Oh no he didn’t!…. I finally got so fed up with the way things work in Washington that I have devised my own top 10 list. Read carefully and remember it is my list…If you want one go make your own. I wouldn’t mind knowing what yours would look like. If you decide to make one you may comment here or on your blog and link back to me with a comment. It would be interesting to see what others think.
Well, here we go…..
- (10) From the presidents oath of office…”I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
No where does it state that those powers extend beyond our borders.
- (9) The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment…
He may manage the personnel and their job description. He may get from congress the authority to deploy on RARE occasion.
- (8) The president shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
He can’t take the power and then ask. He must ask first and it must be by their advice not against it. In other words he can’t do anything unless the Senate says he can.
- (7) That congress is impotent to do anything unless elected to do so. Such election is by the people they want to represent.
Unions, Political think tanks, Corporations, TV reporters, Newspapers, Glamour Rags, the United Nations and, Political Action Committees, (though run by people) do not qualify!
- (6) It is not a right to serve. It is a pleasure and it is at OUR pleasure that they do.
‘Nuff said?… alright then.
- (5) Rush Limbaugh believes so little in the values he purports that he rarely takes time to vote.
Do you really believe he should be the front man for conservative thought?
- (4) Political Parties should be something you attend, at your leisure, not something you attend to, as in “I got your back”.
Try something our forefathers used in designing the constitution…. Free thinking! It’ll be less expensive for all of us.
- (3) If it walks like a lobbyist, Talks like a lobbyist, and offers money like a lobbyist….regardless of what they might say, it IS a lobbyist.
While I want you to work for full employment, it’s okay for this job to go away….give us back our country!
- (2) Please rediscover your moral compass.
Set it on “God-Country-Family” and let it be. Religion guides us to lead moral lives; patriotism gives us a feeling of national unity; and our families are a home base – we can always count on them when in trouble.
- (1) Remember your mission statement! A Government of the people, for the people and by the people.
All of them, not just your cousin Jake downstate, your “mam maw down in alabamaw” or the Political Action Committee you purchased your seat from. (I wonder if that’s where the NFL got the idea for “personal seat licenses”?)
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: The world as I see it · Top 10
Tagged: country, Patriotic, Personal, Politics, Society, Spiritual
Ok! I got tagged and I guess I need to come clean about some wierd things about me. (Thank You Mike!!)Before I do….Here’s the rules!!
Link to the person that tagged you
Post the rules on your blog
Share six non important bizaare things/quirks/habits about yourself
Tag six other people, link to their blogs and then let them know by posting a comment on their blog.
So here goes:
1) I am the worst person to sit down and watch a movie with.
I lose interest very quickly and end up leaving the room and/or finding something to keep me occupied until I get interested again.2) I wish I had become a farmer.
3) I struggle to see the positive first in difficult situations.
I am getting better at this but……it is a work in progress.
4) I struggle to focus for long periods of time to the task at hand and because of this I often forget my keys on the way to my car.
I set my keys out in plain sight as I’m getting ready to go someplace and if someone moves them I will walk out to my car without them. (I also struggle with remembering to take my medications)
5) I love to fish! I will catch it, clean it, cook it. I will not eat it!
Do you know what fish do in the water??
6) I was a very good athlete in High School.
Now I tag:
Sunshine
Lyle
Nate
Christy
Giselle
Dave
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Tagged
Tagged: Personal
Merriam-Webster defines Liberalism as: a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity b: a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard c: a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties. And conservatism as: disposition in politics to preserve what is established, a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; specifically : such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverageThe tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change. What follow is, I hope, a discussion showing how 2 diamtrically opposed points of view are not really so far apart when viewed in the context of Jesus.
In Book of Matthew chapter 25 Jesus ascends to the throne and, after separating the flock, looks to those on his right and says “take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
And to those on his left he said, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.”
Some would segregate these differently. The first group, those that found favor with the King, would be labeled liberals. And those that did not find favor, conservative. Others still would say that the conservatives had found favor for understanding the difference between true need and those who were willfully dependant on kindness and generosity while Liberals were sent away for not understanding the difference between need and desire, misfortune and slovenly habit. The truth lies squarely in the middle. That’s where you’ll find Jesus.
Again in Matthew chapter 7 Jesus says, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
And in Matthew chapter 10, “Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Clearly Jesus is telling them look, there are all kinds of people out there. Some will need what you can provide and know it. They will seize upon the gift and come to a greater understanding of me. But just because you see a temporal need doesn’t mean it is in you to fulfill it. Share me. Let me provide. There will be some with temporal needs who would take what you offer, reject me, then take from you what they don’t need simply to say they have it. Simply because they want it. Your job is to provide for the need. Talk to me. I’ll tell you when it’s time to dig in and when it’s time to walk away.
Both sides of the aisle have their eye on serving God and fulfilling the mission. One views suffering and injustice and wants to quiet and fix it without regard to circumstances. Without regard for the choices each has made in how they live their lives and how those choices honor the God who created them. The other wants to be sure that the suffering and injustice is not a circumstance of the victims own choosing thereby condemning them, without redemption, by the choices they have made in their past.
In the middle is what Jesus intended in his teaching. While we want to reduce human tragedy and suffering, often times they are brought on by the choices individuals make in their lives and while it may make us feel better, it is often the adversity that draws them to God. Don’t rush in and fix it, he says. Don’t tell them their bad decisions were good ones. . If they make bad choices, I wont adjust my expectations. But walk with them and be there for them. Show them I love them and let me fix what needs to be fixed. Don’t stand on the sidelines exhorting them to change their behavior so I can demonstrate my love, he says. But walk out onto the battlefield with them and bring them the healing and confirmation of my love that they so desperately need. It is possible to acknowledge the sin as sin and still care for the sinner. After all….I’ve done so for you.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders
Categories: The world as I see it
Tagged: Jesus, Personal, Politics, Society, Spiritual
Just wanted to wish the hope of a Very Happy New Year. One that finds you reveling in Gods blessings with many opportunities to share those blessings with others.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Personal
Tagged: Celebration, Good wishes, Hope, New Years
December 27, 2007 · 1 Comment
I found this interesting …and frightening.“In 2008, we’re going to see some major, giant
financial firms fall as they get hit by an economic 9/11.”
- Gerald Celente, The Trends Journal
He goes on to say:
“And what do we have to save the Ship of State from sinking? Well, look ahead – that’s what we do as trend forecasters. We have a know-nothing President and a do-nothing Congress and want-to-be people in waiting that lack the intelligence, integrity, the competence, credentials, character and courage to do what a wise leader would do in times when the ship is sinking. So, we’re saying, it is going down! There is nothing to save it.”
The truth is:
we, as individuals, are most responsible for the pending crisis. We have allowed big business to convince us we need to be more available, more productive, more upwardly mobile. We need to buy more things so that big business can make bigger profits. We no longer do business with the local meat cutter, grocery store, department store, service station or banker. We, instead, allow people we don’t know and probably shouldn’t trust convince us that bigger is better. We no longer measure success by how we performed, rather, by how much our performance made for the company. In a heartbeat, we went from a caring community to one that moves you in and out of the door as quickly as possible after spending as much as possible.
We don’t even understand what we’ve lost. Most of us grew up never knowing the level of service and connection that come from small “mom and pop” drug stores or butcher shops. We have sold our future, and with it that of our children’s, down the drain for a quick stop at the big box store with products made by “American” companies and Chinese or Mexican workers. It appears the most American made vehicle today is the Honda. These “American” companies threw you out with the bath water not only in terms of economic viability. Your safety and that of your children’s were traded away for as little as a penny to companies in countries where things like lead poisoning and chemical additives are just matter of reducing population. They have no regard for you or your heath. They simply want to sell you as much as they can for as much as you’ll pay and not have to deal with the real ” inconvenient truth”. That being….their pockets are more important than your health and welfare. They don’t exist to produce anything that adds value to the American way of life. They want only to find ways to convince you that they are necessary and you can’t live without them. They have taken our jobs and sent them overseas so they bring back what once was produced here and take your money. They even use our system of providing health care to those who are unable (and in some cases unwilling) to work as a primary piece of their medical package.
Do yourself a favor. Take three months. Find a local barber, butcher, farmer, grocer, service station and banker. All “mom and pops”. Give them your business and see what happens. Then think back to the last time you went to a Walmart, Target, Kmart, Sears or any of the big nationals and ask yourself; Whens the last time they greeted you by name and welcomed you and cared enough to know what you usually purchase, asked how the family was and offered some assistance during hard times. That’s the American dream. We didn’t lose it. We sold it to corporate America for a few pennies and and a little convenience.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: The world as I see it
Tagged: country, Dishonesty, Personal, Politics, Society
Please view this video. It says so much more than I can. Still…I must try! I am unworthy. You must know that before we begin. I am unworthy. That I claim any inheritance in the kingdom is purely irresponsible. I have no claim. If I have any inheritance it is because God is a loving God. A God who seeks me out…who seeks you out, even when we don’t deserve it.
Categories: God In Me
Tagged: Music, Personal, Spiritual, Video
September 18, 2007 · 1 Comment
We were barely 10, my twin brother and I. She was barely 54. Her life had been filled with more tragedy than one woman should have to know and more would be on the way….but that’s another story. This story is about the strength of a woman and the generosity of a man. A women who had no more to give and a man who had given all he had. Neither knew each other but both would play prominent roles in the lives of my brother and myself.
Categories: Children · Personal
Tagged: Children, Good, Honor, Hope, Milton Hershey, Philanthropy
September 14, 2007 · 2 Comments
I am and always have leaned toward the Democratic party. Partly because I was raised that way. Partly because I didn’t feel that republicans were interested in anything but themselves. But mostly because my heart says it is right. Democrat’s have always been the party of the people. The party of Jimmy Carter. I know …I know.. most think Jimmy Carter was the worst President we have ever had. I disagree… No I strenuously disagree.
Categories: Politics · The world as I see it
Tagged: country, Dishonesty, Elections, Patriotic, Politics, Society
September 6, 2007 · 1 Comment
By Lou Dobbs
CNN
Lou Dobbs’ commentary appears weekly on CNN.com.
NEW YORK (CNN) — Mexican President Felipe Calderon Sunday demanded the United States surrender its sovereignty, abandon the rule of law and accede to Mexico’s inherent supremacy.
Lou Dobbs says Mexican President Felipe Calderon is showing “blatant hypocrisy” on immigration.
In his state of the union address to the Mexican nation, Calderon established his imperialistic imperatives: “I have said that Mexico does not stop at its border, that wherever there is a Mexican, there is Mexico. And, for this reason, the government action on behalf of our countrymen is guided by principles, for the defense and protection of their rights.
Calderon protested the U.S. government’s increased raids on illegal employers of illegal alien employees and work site enforcement. In what is little more than a faint nod to the Bush administration’s responsibility to enforce U.S. immigration law, the Department of Homeland Security had planned to send out notices to employers from the Social Security Administration informing them of non-matching records between an employee’s name and Social Security number. These employers would then be forced to resolve any discrepancy within 90 days or be required to dismiss the employee or face up to $10,000 in fines for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.
But then, ethnocentric advocacy groups and some labor unions, trying to bolster their membership, sued to stop the crackdown on hiring illegal alien workers. A federal judge in California last week issued a temporary restraining order blocking the plan, giving a victory to the AFL-CIO, the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigration Law Center, all of which brought the suit alleging DHS exceeded its authority in making the rule.
That U.S. District Court judge ruled as if she were an employee of the Mexican government, rather than the U.S. government. Homeland Security was simply enforcing existing immigration laws. Are we not a nation that follows the rule of law? If not, we’re no country at all.
Calderon must have been delighted by the judge’s decision. Calderon, like his predecessors, Carlos Salinas and Vicente Fox, has failed miserably to establish policies that would create jobs for the Mexican people and to eliminate shameful, unchecked corruption and incompetence in the Mexican government.
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Even by Mexico’s standards, Calderon’s blatant hypocrisy is breathtaking. Calderon told the Washington Post more than a year ago that he believes laws are not a relative concept, nor subject to a personal concept of justice. Calderon declared a big difference between himself and his rival for the Mexican presidency, Manuel Lopez Obrador, was this: “I believe in the rule of law.” Obviously he does not believe in the rule of U.S. law on U.S. soil.
Calderon can’t have it both ways. He cannot fail his citizens at home and then act as the Great Imperialist Protector of his citizens who are driven by poverty and corruption to enter the United States illegally. The United States provides Mexico with an annual surplus of $65 billion in trade, an estimated $25 billion in remittances from Mexican citizens living and working here illegally, and at least another $25 billion generated by the illegal drug trade across our southern border.
But it is President Bush and this Congress who should be most embarrassed, because they are failing to assert rights for Americans in their own country, rights far short of those demanded by Calderon for his citizens living illegally in our nation.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Politics · The world as I see it
Tagged: Illegals, Immigration, Lou Dobbs, Mexico, policy, Society, Undocumented
At a time when the Supreme Court and many politicians seek to bring American law in line with foreign legal norms, it’s noteworthy that nobody has argued that the U.S. look at how Mexico deals with immigration and what it might teach us about how best to solveour illegal immigration problem. Mexico has a single, streamlined law that ensures that foreign visitors and immigrants are:
in the country legally;
have the means to sustain themselves economically;
not destined to be burdens on society;
of economic and social benefit to society;
of good character and have no criminal records; and contributors to the general well-being of the nation.
The law also ensures that:
immigration authorities have a record of each foreign visitor;
foreign visitors do not violate their visa status;
foreign visitors are banned from interfering in the country’s internal politics;
foreign visitors who enter under false pretenses are imprisoned or deported;
foreign visitors violating the terms of their entry are imprisoned or deported;
those who aid in illegal immigration will be sent to prison.
Who could disagree with such a law? It makes perfect sense. The Mexican constitution strictly defines the rights of citizens — and the denial of many fundamental rights to non-citizens, illegal and illegal. Under the constitution, the Ley General de Población, orGeneral Law on Population, spells out specifically the country’s immigration policy.
It is an interesting law — and one that should cause us all to ask, Why is our great southern neighbor pushing us to water down our own immigration laws and policies, when its own immigration restrictions are the toughest on the continent?
If a felony is acrime punishable by more than one year in prison, then Mexican law makes it a felony to be an illegal alien in Mexico.
If the United States adopted such statutes, Mexico no doubt would denounce it as a manifestation of American racism and bigotry.
We looked at the immigration provisions of the Mexican constitution.
(Taken from Mexico’s Immigration Law: Let’s Try It Here at Home
by J. Michael Waller)
Now let’s look at Mexico’s main immigration law.
Mexico welcomes only foreigners who will be useful to Mexican society:
Foreigners are admitted into Mexico “according to their possibilities of contributing to national progress.” (Article 32)
Immigration officials must “ensure” that “immigrants will be useful elements for the country and that they have the necessary funds for their sustenance” and for their dependents. (Article 34)
Foreigners may be barred from the country if their presence upsets “the equilibrium of the national demographics,” when foreigners are deemed detrimental to “economic or national interests,” when they do not behave like good citizens in their own country, when they have broken Mexican laws, and when “they are not found to be physically or mentally healthy.” (Article 37)
The Secretary of Governance may “suspend or prohibit the admission of foreigners when he determines it to be in the national interest.” (Article 38)
Mexican authorities must keep track of every single person in the country:
Federal, local and municipal police must cooperate with federal immigration authorities upon request, i.e., to assist in the arrests of illegal immigrants. (Article 73)
A National Population Registry keeps track of “every single individual who comprises the population of the country,” and verifies each individual’s identity. (Articles 85 and 86)
A national Catalog of Foreigners tracks foreign tourists and immigrants (Article 87), and assigns each individual with a unique tracking number (Article 91).
Foreigners with fake papers, or who enter the country under false pretenses, may be imprisoned:
Foreigners with fake immigration papers may be fined or imprisoned. (Article 116)
Foreigners who sign government documents “with a signature that is false or different from that which he normally uses” are subject to fine and imprisonment. (Article 116)
Foreigners who fail to obey the rules will be fined, deported, and/or imprisoned as felons:
Foreigners who fail to obey a deportation order are to be punished. (Article 117)
Foreigners who are deported from Mexico and attempt to re-enter the country without authorization can be imprisoned for up to 10 years. (Article 118)
Foreigners who violate the terms of their visa may be sentenced to up to six years in prison (Articles 119, 120 and 121).
Foreigners who misrepresent the terms of their visa while in Mexico — such as working with out a permit — can also be imprisoned.
Under Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony.
The General Law on Population says,
“A penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of three hundred to five thousand pesos will be imposed on the foreigner who enters the country illegally.” (Article 123)
Foreigners with legal immigration problems may be deported from Mexico instead of being imprisoned. (Article 125)
Foreigners who “attempt against national sovereignty or security” will be deported. (Article 126)
Mexicans who help illegal aliens enter the country are themselves considered criminals under the law:
A Mexican who marries a foreigner with the sole objective of helping the foreigner live in the country is subject to up to five years in prison. (Article 127)
Shipping and airline companies that bring undocumented foreigners into Mexico will be fined. (Article 132)
All of the above runs contrary to what Mexican leaders are demanding of the United States. The stark contrast between Mexico’s immigration practices versus its Americanimmigration preachings is telling. It gives a clear picture of the Mexican government’s agenda: to have a one-way immigration relationship with the United States.Let’s call Mexico’s bluff on its unwarranted interference in U.S. immigration policy. Let’s propose, just to make a point, that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) member nations standardize their immigration laws by using Mexico’s own law as a model.This article was first posted at CenterforSecurityPolicy.org.
This is, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Politics · The world as I see it
Tagged: Illegals, Immigration, Mexico, Patriotic, policy, Society, Travel, Undocumented
This was shared by a friend. I had not known it before. I doubt I will ever forget it.
I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.”
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.
My colors will be clear.
I am not ashamed of the gospel . . . Romans 1:16
***The above was written by a young African pastor before he was martyred for the faith***
These are, after all the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Spiritual · Testimony
Tagged: Commitment, integrity, Jesus, Personal, Society, Testimony, witness, Words to live by
I ran across this recently. It is by Bill and Gloria Gaither.
God Has Always Had A People!
Many a foolish conquer made the mistake of thinking that because he had forced the Church of Jesus Christ out of sight, that he had stilled its voice and snuffed out its life.
But God Has Always Had A People!
The powerful current of a rushing river is not diminished because it is forced to flow underground. The purest water is the stream that bursts crystal clear into the sunlight after it has fought its way through solid rock.
There have been charlatans who like Simon the magician, sought to barter on the open market that power which cannot be bought or sold.
But God Has Always Had A People!
Men who could not be bought and women who were beyond purchase.
Yes, God Has Always Had A People!
There have been times of affluence and prosperity when the Church’s message was nearly diluted into oblivion by those who sought to make it socially attractive, neatly organized and financially profitable. It has been gold plated ,draped in purple and encrusted with jewels. It has been misrepresented, ridiculed, blotted and scorned.
These followers of Jesus Christ have been according to the whim of the times elevated as sacred leaders and martyred as heretics. Yet through it all, there marches on that powerful army of the meek, God’s chosen people that can’t be bought, flattered, murdered or stilled. On through the ages they march.
The Church, God’s Church Triumphant, is Alive and Well!
Now listen child of God. It’s alive!
Discouraged pastor it’s His Church and it’s alive!
Lonely Missionary sow your seeds with confidence!
It’s alive my broken hearted friend!
Old saint you’re not alone and forgotten, the Church is alive!
Busy mother cast your cares on Jesus!
It’s alive young student. You’re not alone in serving the Lord!
Faithful father there’s rest in the Lord! The Church is alive!
Cynical skeptic you haven’t killed God with your noisy unbelief.
He’s Alive!
So family of God raise you hands and praise the Lord.
For the Church, God’s Church Triumphant is Alive and Well!
It seems to me that we are asking the wrong questions. That’s why we fight so much among ourselves. We keep asking “what church do you go to?” when we should be asking “whose church do you go to?”
I don’t care if you’re Mormon, Catholic, Baptist or even Calvinist…. The only thing I need to know is…Who do you belong to?
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Personal · Spiritual
Tagged: Christian, Commitment, Gaithers, Lyrics
I am a Liar. I’ve concluded that, for all my ranting and raving, I am a liar. Okay, maybe liar is too strong a word. How about …HYPOCRITE? How does hypocrite feel? Better. Okay…
I am a hypocrite! For all my ranting and raving, I have concluded I am a hypocrite. I never follow my own advice. I complain about the conditions of the world, our society, our country, our schools, our kids, YOUR kids, the air, the traffic, customer service, prices, my boss, my job, my employer, the temperature of my coffee…everything. I may not have any solutions but I sure know where the problems are and I am not shy about letting you know what they are, why they are and, in my opinion, who’s fault they are. More than that…you would be hard-pressed to convince me that any of the problems are my fault! When I started this I promised I would be honest if nothing else. I would be honest and transparent or exactly “I can promise you honesty and absolute openness”. That’s what I said in my first post. Go ahead read it.
I’ve done some self-examination and I haven’t been so open…so honest.
Let me begin with this: I’m not such a bad guy. I have issues. I’m always late. I’m often self-absorbed, I lack any sense of attention span. I find it hard to sit through almost any movie at home. I don’t like change and that’s okay with me. I’m so stuck in a rut that I could eat the same dinner everyday. So I have issues….. don’t we all.
That’s not to say I don’t have my good points. I do. I work hard. I’m not afraid to sacrifice things I want for my family. I faithful…sort of(more to come on this.) I clear my plate. I love and care for animals. I work in my own way to save the environment. I love God. I try to live my life how God wants me to live. I’m relatively smart and and am able to reason things out when given the facts. Not a long list but not so bad.
Here’s the thing.
Under self examination I don’t look like such a bad guy….on the surface. But I have specific information about the man you can’t see. I know what he thinks and feels. And while his heart is in the right place, often the expression is less than perfect. I can he cold and hard-hearted. Distant and uncaring. I often get so wrapped up in myself that I forget others exist. And it gets worse.
I do a lot of volunteering. I believe that giving back to society is important. But, secretly, I find I put myself in volunteer positions that get me noticed and I have to ask myself…is it really because I feel its important to give back? Or … do I just want people to think it is important to me to give back. I’ve begun to wrestle with that.
Honestly I want to leave this world better than I left it. I have been the benefactor of many people who, out of kindness and perhaps there own desire to make this a better world when they leave it, seemed to be where I needed them to be exactly when I needed them to be there. It is their willingness to be there that troubles me about my own “humanitarian” effort.
I have begun to recognize that my volunteerism takes the same shape of the christian who prays loudly and often in the company of others so as to witness to their own Godliness. I need to get on my knees and beg forgiveness and then find a way to put God first in everything I do. I need to get off the float in the big parade and learn to let God have center seat. It’s about time I matured as a christian and practice what I so often preach about others.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Personal · Spiritual
Tagged: Honesty, Openness, Personal reflection, Self examination, Spiritual condition
We all have been conquered haven’t we? At some point haven’t we all done or said something that neither resembled nor complimented the nature of God. A little extra tax deduction draws question to your integrity, a little too much alcohol a little too often and a family suffering under the weight of it. A less than admiral gesture at the person who cut you off in traffic bears witness to a temper out of control. It’s not what we wanted. We never intended for them to happen and know, well, we are a lost cause, not unwilling, but unable to get back our integrity, our self-respect, our control. In the Max Lucado book Facing Your Giants I was encouraged to observe David. First the boy then the man, then the man who would be king, the King and, finally, the man who had his kingship taken.
I am drawn to David in the same way I am to Paul but for different reasons. David was a tender boy with a big heart and unquestionable faith in God. A lowly shepherd, his station would not have brought him much respect. He honored his duty and watched over his flock with the same vigilance he, as young boy, watched over his faith. In reading about him as a boy I was struck with the notion that it would seem incredulous to David that someone would question Gods faithfulness and his mighty protection. This faith is what brought him to face his first Giant and what brought him the unlikely victory in that confrontation. His first Giant… for there were many more. Most more difficult than the first.
We’ve all had our own personal “giants” to deal with. I have had to fight often with myself regarding my own abilities and even sometimes my own self worth. I’ve battled with my own self-destructive tendencies, my own addictions, my own shortcomings.
Michael W Smith Describes me well:
I have been unfaithful
I have been unworthy
I have been unrighteous
And I have been unmerciful
I have been unreachable
I have been unteachable
I have been unwilling
And I have been undesirable
I have been unbroken
I have been unmended
I have been uneasy
And I’ve been unapproachable
I’ve been unemotional
I’ve been unexceptional
I’ve been undecided
And I have been unqualified
In this David was a lot like me. For certainly he was all of those things. The difference between he and me is what was left out of Michael W Smith’s song above “I’ve never Been Unloved“
Here it is:
Sometimes, I have been unwise
I’ve been undone by what I’m unsure of
But because of you, and all that you went through
I know that I have never been unloved
He understood this more than anyone and he called upon the Lord not just in his moment of greatest victory, but also, in his moment of greatest weakness and tragedy. He faced his failures and laid them out before the Lord openly and honestly. He pleaded for his mercy and danced as a child, gleefully, at his in his own recognition of the awesome power and honor that resided with HIS king, HIS lord, HIS God. David sure had his issues but he understood one thing.
That is the theme of this book and no one can layout it better than Max Lucado when he says:
“You know your Goliath. You recognize his walk, the thunder of his voice.
He taunts you with bills you can’t pay, people you can’t please, habits you can’t break, failures you can’t forget, and a future you can’t face. But just like David, you can face your giant, even if you aren’t the strongest, the smartest, the best equipped, or the holiest.
David. You could read his story and wonder what God saw in him. His life has little to offer the unstained, straight-A saint. He fell as often as he stood, stumbled as often as he conquered. But for those who know the sound of a Goliath, David gives this reminder:
Focus on giants—you stumble.
Focus on God—your giants tumble.”
David…he really was a lot like me. I wish could be a lot like him.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Books
Tagged: Book Review, King David, Max Lucado, Personal reflection, Spiritual
I stopped going to church on Fathers day a long time ago. It’s not that I don’t believe. To the contrary, I find evidence that God exists and that he is absolutely in control every day in both very big and very small ways. I believe that. My absence has more to do with what we as the created have to say about fathers and fatherhood on fathers day. It’s about why we don’t talk about the thing we should…and always talk about the things we shouldn’t. It’s about dishonoring fathers instead of honoring them. I just got tired of hearing about it …so I stay away.
On Mother’s day we talk about what the world would be like with out Mothers. How special they are. How they were there when we needed them. How they sacrificed for us. How they provide for our needs and we should honor them on this special day. I’m all for that. I’m glad we do it, I’m glad to do it, and glad I could teach my children to do. It is important to honor mothers for everything they do and say…and even don’t say. I’m glad we do it. I don’t want to take anything away from mothers and mothers day. I just wish we understood how important it is to honor fathers in the same way.
On fathers day we find every possible example of poor parenting, we hear about the little things the kids missed because daddy had to work or the “deadbeat” dad who doesn’t seem to care about his kids or their mother. We get preached to about the importance about being a father in your kids lives and how poorly men are represented in the ranks of those who take parenting seriously. I know about all those things. I see them on the local 5 o’clock news channel, I hear it repeated ad-nauseam on the radio. I read about it everyday in the newspaper. I get it.
Couldn’t we just have one day in which somebody just says thank you for what you do and let it go at that.
This is, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: The world as I see it
Tagged: Church, Fathers, Fathers Day, God, Lifting up
This message was given to Richard Reid. But to any terrorist, Muslim or not, heed the warning and, if you feel you need to continue, thank God for your day in an American court where freedom and justice are not just some words used to validate a misguided, immoral and violent campaign to force all people to believe what you believe. Rather, your rights are guaranteed in an American court system built on TRUE freedom that gives you the right to say and think whatever you want. When you run a foul of the law you will receive the most vigorous defense against prosecution GUARANTEED! Try getting that in any one of your Muslim nations, in any dictatorship, in any communist system.
Read on and learn.
It is a fair and just sentence.
It is a righteous sentence.
But be forewarned.
Action and Ruling by Judge William Young, US District Court.
Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything to say.
His response:
After admitting his guilt to the court for the record,Reid also admitted his “allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam, and to the religion of Allah,” defiantly stating, “I think I will not apologize for my actions,”
and told the court
“I am at war with your country.”
Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below:
January 30, 2003, United States vs. Reid.
Judge Young:
“Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you.
On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General. On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutively. (That’s 80 years.)
On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years again, to be served consecutively to the 80 years just imposed. The Court imposes upon you for each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 that’s an aggregate fine of $2 million.
The Court accepts the government’s recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines.The Court imposes upon you an $800 special assessment.
The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further.
This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes.
Now, let me explain this to you. We are not afraid of you or any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid. We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. There is too much war talk here and I say that to everyone with the utmost respect.
Here in this court, we deal with individuals as individuals and care for individuals as individuals. As human beings, we reach out for justice.
You are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist.
You are not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist.
To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature.
Whether the officers of government do it or your attorney does it, or if you think you are a soldier.
You are not—– you are a terrorist.
And we do not negotiate with terrorists.
We do not meet with terrorists.
We do not sign documents with terrorists.
We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.
So war talk is way out of line in this court. You are a big fellow.
But you are not that big. You’re no warrior.
I’ve known warriors. You are a terrorist.
A species of criminal that is guilty of multiple attempted murders.
In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and the TV crews were, and he said: “You’re no big deal.”You are no big deal.
What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific. What was it that led you here to this courtroom today? I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing?
And, I have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you, but as I search this entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know.It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose.
Here, in this society, the very wind carries freedom. It carries it everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom. So that everyone can see, truly see, that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. It is for freedom’s sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf, have filed appeals, will go on in their representation of you before other judges.We Americans are all about freedom. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties. Make no mistake though. It is yet true that we will bare any burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms.
Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. The day after tomorrow, it will be forgotten, but this, however, will long endure. Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done. The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice.
See that flag, Mr. Reid? That’s the flag of the United States of America .That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom and it always will.
Mr. Custody Officer.
Stand him down.
‘Nuff said!!
This is , after all. the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Patriotic · Personal
Tagged: Committment, Democracy, Evil, Fairness, Justice, Patriotism, sacrifice, Terrorism
In my last post. I mentioned a lasting impression that deserved it’s own post. It was right out of the bible and I must say, it blew me away.
Matthew 25:35,3635 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
On my trip I had the great pleasure to witness and participate in just such a kindness. Let me be clear..It was not my idea. I was, as a matter of fact, just a bystander seeing the need and wishing someone would fill it. I was much to busy to get involved but certainly someone should. Confused? I’ll explain….I have spoken in previous posts about my older brother and my good fortune to have had him in my life. I also have a twin Brother, James(or Jimi as he goes by now). As a child I called him Jamey. I found out in the fourth grade he hated that. Now Jamey(I can’t help myself) is 6 minutes older that me. He used to tell people I “was supposed to be the girl”. Did I mention he is 6 minutes older than me? Do you know what happens when you take bread out of the oven early? It gets soft and gooey in the middle.
Now that you’ve met him. Jimi is an incredibly intelligent man, and talented. I’ve always known that. You don’t grow up as twins in the same school and not find out one of you is less “academically inclined” than the other. While I struggled for every “D” I got, Jimi was “wallowing” on the Distinguished Honor Roll.(I’m not bitter)… What I had forgotten was how generous and incredibly thoughtful he is. Let me tell you why I admire him so much.
As we toured San Francisco it was not uncommon to see the homeless walking the streets, sleeping on park benches or scouring the trash for something to eat. It was shocking for me as I had heard about such things but had never witnessed it at in real life. Sure, I had seen disheveled people walking the streets or hanging outside local establishments panhandling for money. But I had never seen so much need right out in the open. For me it always seemed hidden away out of sight. I might not have noticed it had it not been for Jimi pointing it out. He didn’t stop and say “hey there’s a homeless guy”. It was subtle and honest. He didn’t intend to make a statement. He just wanted to do what God had done for him. God had sent someone to introduce the savior to him. He wanted to do the same.
Each time we ate Jimi would order his meal and, when it was possible, order another to go. As we left the restaurant he would look for someone who needed a meal and hand it to them and just walk away. He didn’t wait for a thank you. He didn’t make a spectacle of the act. He just handed it over and walked away. The first couple times I didn’t notice. Eventually he caught my attention. Finally I got involved.
Jimi saw the need when all I saw was someones misfortune. Jimi filled the need while I looked for someone who should. Jimi was the embodiment of Matthew 25:35-36 and I..well… I was not. He had taken the gift he was given and shared it. I had taken the gift and hidden it away. I am reminded of the song, “This little light of mine”. if you spent anytime at church camps or sunday school you know the rest of the song.
Every other experience on the trip was a blessing, I can’t take that away. But this simple act of kindness was an inspiration. I can’t forget it. It was a life- changing, eye-opening, God revealing, mind-opening, heart-warming simple act of love for, what I would have called, the unlovable. But God doest call them that. Never has, never will. It pains me to think of the many times God has acted in my life to remove me from danger, pick me up from my own dumb mistakes, and sent someone in to stand in my stead. I didn’t realize how blind I truly was.
Jimi is only 6 minutes older than me. 6 Minutes has never felt like such huge expanse of time. But suddenly I feel there are years of wisdom packed into those six little minutes. I’ve said before I am lucky to have older brothers. This is yet another example why I feel that way. Thank you Jimi. It was a lesson much needed and well taught.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Society · Spiritual
Tagged: Blessings, Charity, Giving, Homeless, Humility, integrity, Kindness, Needy, Poor, Random Acts
I’m back! We had the good fortune to spend a week in California with my brother and his wife. It was a good time and a good break from work which was much needed and, I believe, well deserved. It is always good to get away and especially good this time. I got to spend some time with my wife, alone, just the two of us… (no Kids). It was the first time in 11 years I was able to take the time from work and be just with her. I loved it. But here was more….I had 2 prominent experiences. The first was a dinner experience I will tell you about later on in the post. The other, deserves a post all it ’s own..
San Francisco is a beautiful city with lots to see and do. It is, however, quite expensive to visit and I couldn’t find anyone who could afford to live there although I’m sure they do.
We cruised the bay and learned about the early history of San Francisco, THE Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Sausalito, and Tiburon. We spent some good times around Pier 39. Saw the sea lions, the fish markets, ships and yachts. We ate some good food and had a great time being tourists. You may have guessed what my wife has known about me for a long time. I am NOT a very adventurous person. I like what I like and am most comfortable when they don’t change. Better the devil I know than the devil I don’t as they say. So it was with great trepidation (and much convincing on my wife’s part) that I attended a dinner theatre called, “Teatro ZinZanni Love,Chaos, and Dinner”.
Let me say at the outset. I love my wife and this is a perfect example as to why. She makes me do things I would not consider and rarely…yes I said rarely….is she wrong. This was the most fun and the best time I have ever had at dinner. Dinner came over time but not before each of the five courses were announced during the act that preceded the course. It was interactive and wildly entertaining. As I read the Bios on the actors I noted one was a professor form a local college. What a great way for students to experience the fun and hard work that goes into the the creative process. His students are very lucky to have him and his abilities to learn from. All the performers were skilled in their area and they all seemed to enjoy what they were doing. Even as they moved around the theatre and interacted with the audience they stayed in character For them, it seemed, the audience experience was the thing. No pretense, no over the top “I am An Actor” kind of stuff. Good fun, Good Food, Good times. They were great.
We also had a chance to visit Monterrey and Carmel. Monterrey is fun and beautiful with shops,and street performers, water, beaches, and sea lions. One word of warning,If you ever get the chance to eat at Bubba Gumps, run Forrest run!! do not walk, run, in the other direction. Poor good food, Poor service. Forrest’s mother would not be proud!!!
Carmel frankly, smells expensive. I was sure they were charging for the oxygen out there. Homey and peaceful, you got a sense that there were rich people hiding all over the place. I have never seen such a police presence either. The 17 mile drive on the way to it is great. I really enjoyed it. Lots of great pictures to boot. If you have a chance…stop in at the Hogs Breath Inn and “make your day”. Drop on in and and enjoy great atmosphere and good food. It was well worth the money.
Our next destination was Modesto and although I spent a small amount of time there I got to meet some great people. California isn’t at all like I imagined. It actually quite quaint in its own way and very outdoors oriented. Lots of parks and green spaces that almost force you to think about life in a whole different way. It was invigorating in a laid back kind of way. I had a great time.
Oh, by the way, I also found out I am a descendant of King Charlemagne which I find intriguing and very exciting so in keeping with this new found royalty…..
C’est, enfin, le musings d’un esprit qui se promène.
Categories: Travel
Tagged: California, Family, Fun, Personal, San Francisco, Theatre, Vacation
They are unaware. They are just kids out to have fun with each other away from mom and dad. They don’t consider it a life changing experience. It’s just a dinner, a dance, a date. They may suspect, but they could not know what evil lurks just outside the protective custody of family or the safe haven of discipline. They may not even care. They are, after all, young.
It’s nights like this that test a parents metal..draws them to their faith…forces them on their knees. I’ll bet more prayers are raised this day than any other. They are our young men and young ladies. Our true talent on loan from God. Our legacy to the world. And they are out there out of our control and out from under our protective wing. Oh, God help them, better yet, help me!!
I remember prom. It was fun and exciting. I was able to leave the nest and try my wings in open air. My guiding principles were whispers on the wind, remembrances of what I heard was proper etiquette, and all that I had witnessed in everyday life since a time I can’t remember.
I didn’t think about consequences. I didn’t worry about what ifs. The notion that there might be danger lurking wasn’t even considered. I was entering the “night life”. Until then, it was all child’s play. Now I was ready and willing to enter the night realizing I had received the most sacred of adult purveyance…..No Curfew!!
As an adult, it’s my time again. This time I can’t help but worry. It is not me but still my flesh and blood out there …somewhere. They are good kids. I shouldn’t worry but I can’t help it. They are out there in the world mingling with the rest of the world. Driving!!!! Does the rest of the world know how special they are, how precious they are? Does the world understand that they will change it? Do they know how important they are to to us?..to me?
I should go check on them. No I shouldn’t… but I want to. I want to make sure they are okay. I want to make sure they are having a good time I want them to be safe. I want them to be home. I want them to come home. That’s all. Just come home. Then we can talk about all the other things. The fun, the thrill, the fear, the night out on the town. After…only after…they come home.
I’m not as young as I used to be. Lord it’s a little harder to get down here on my knees. It’s a whole lot harder getting up. Just bring them home. Amen.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: The world as I see it
Tagged: Children, Dating, Fear, Fun, Paranting, Prom
My home has become a battle zone. There are, to my surprise, territorial boundaries in my house that I was neither consulted on nor notified as to their existence. Apparently unpleastantries have been exchanged for quite some time and diplomacy has not done much to disengage the parties. A fragile peace was attained through the appropriate diplomatic channels but the relationship is currently spiraling out of control. I have been told there have been border skirmishes in the past but today I witnessed a brutal hostage taking. It was short-lived but it did open my eyes to the hostilities that have been brewing in my household.
Let me give you the facts as I know them.
It seems there are two planes in my house, one below the knees and one above the knees. They are in fact parallel universes and the inhabitants have free reign to travel each in their own “land” but never should they cross boundaries as this would be perceived as a hostile act. Retaliation should and would be swift and sure.The inhabitants of the land below the knees are free to inhabit any horizontal surface below the knees. The dominant life form in the land is canine( I have heard of some that are predominately feline. That would be dangerous here). They may move laterally in any direction but may not move vertically except on rare occasion when receiving dignitaries who are carrying gifts from a foreign head of state, preferably one of the biscuit varieties.
The inhabitants of the land above the knees are free to inhabit any horizontal surface and may on occasion suspend itself from any vertical surface as long as it does so above the knees. There are many different inhabitants in the land above the knees and the dominant species appears to be toilet paper. Towels have been known to posture some but toilet paper appears to draw the most attention and garner more concern from rival below the knee inhabitants.
Now at any one time I have two dogs, Gizmo and Hershey, who have gladly inherited the land below the knees. They happily co-exist wanting only for manna from above twice a day and clean, clear water. At the same time, in the land above the knees, there may be as many as twenty rolls of toilet paper. I must confess I am not as familiar with the inhabitants above the knee as I should be as I do not know their names. They generally sit around either unable or unwilling to cause any trouble. They are a very peaceful lot.
To make a long story short, apparently an inhabitant from above the knees was caught looking down on Gizmo who, on a good day, is rather excitable and tends to assume things to be when they are not. Gizmo being rather proud did not appreciate the manner in which the toilet paper roll was looking at him and said as much to Hershey. Hershey rolled her eyes and suggested Gizmo look for a stuffed animal to “vent” on and ignore the toilet paper as they really have nothing else to do but look down on dogs. She tried to explain that it was just their lot in life and that Gizmo should pay them no mind.
One thing you can say about Gizmo, he is both focused and persistent…sometimes to a fault. He couldn’t let it go. After all wasn’t this HIS land? Wasn’t he a DOG? What could have gotten into a lowly roll of toilet paper that could possibly make it think it was okay to look down on him…and in such a manner? He reasoned that to allow such a thing would be to invite anarchy and, in doing so, the appearance of weakness. That could not happen.
Now I don’t know all the particulars. I suspect that Gizmo, being an enterprising dweller below the knees, had snuck into the land above the knees and kidnapped one of its citizens, and not just any citizen, it was the toilet paper roll.
A fight ensued. Gizmo grabbed the roll by the collar and dragged it across the room attempting to flip it in the air. Just then the roll escaped. Flying through the air and throwing itself on Gizmo hoping to knock him unconscious. The fight continued back and forth for several minutes stopping only after each combatant, tattered and tired were forced to separate and able to retreat each to their own land.
It‘s calm now, an uneasy peace. But it is at least peace. How long it will last I do not know. Each side has shared a portion of victory and each a portion of defeat. As for me, I hold on to the hope that such outbursts will not continue. Only time will tell.
I have become aware however, that there is one roll of toilet paper that’s got itself an attitude and I don’t feel very comfortable with the way it looking at me.
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Humor
Tagged: Craziness, Dogs, Fun, Observation, Toilet paper
If you knew her, there would be no question. She was strong, determined, funny and proud (sometimes too proud but we all have something). In the course of her life she raised 5 children, worked, sang, and lived a life that was committed to god. She raised her children to do the same.
Categories: Personal · The world as I see it
Tagged: Devotion, Grandmas, Love, Moms, sacrifice
Forest Gump might define it this way:
“Funny is as funny does.”
Or as Jamie Cullen could have written:
I could have laughed all night
I could have laughed all night
And still have begged for more
I think everyone loves to laugh. It just makes sense. Even the people who work very hard at pretending laughter is painful can’t help but like it. America loves to laugh and we are at our best when we can laugh at ourselves. That’s how you can tell a society feels safe…when they can laugh at themselves. When they can poke themselves in the ribs, slip on a banana peal, and smash a cream pie in their face, you have a society that is comfortable with their station in life and one that everyone enjoys being part of.
Sadly, we are not as funny as we used to be. We still laugh. We laugh a lot. We laugh hard….and we still enjoy laughing…..most of the time. It seems, more often, we’re too busy laughing at others expense rather than our own. In fact, we don’t laugh at ourselves at all anymore. We’re far too successful, far too important and , lets be honest, its’ had a profound effect on our society. You can see it in our TV shows and movies, news casts and radio shows, in our schools and at our grocery stores. Stop with the funny…show me the money, unless it’s about you. Let me explain.
There was a time when if we lived in a community we were just that …a community. Our parent sat around a fire or on the porch or stood a cross a fence and talked. The kids would run off and play while the adults grabbed their favorite beverage and chewed the fat about the events of the day, upcoming events and who needed what. Infused throughout the conversation were outbursts of laughter which settled into more conversation and an occasional debate. They laughed at their expense about the mistakes they made and the silliness they encountered. It was caring, nurturing, all-inclusive. I can identify with that kind of humor. It encourages closeness and sharing in good times and in bad and offers everyone an oppurtunity to see themselves as part of larger community . I submit to you that it isn’t distance that makes the heart grow fonder. It is laughter and our parents had it in abundance.
Somehow, sometime that changed. We no longer laugh at ourselves with everyone else. Instead, we laugh at other people, and their misfortunes while isolating them as the butt of the joke. The result is a two prong attack on the very bindings that solidifies us as a nation, a community, and a family.
1) Our humor isn’t good fun anymore. It is mean and nasty and is meted out without regard for the feelings of the person we joke about. It isolates all of us at one time or another as none of are completely spared. Some of us are cast aside regularly and ridiculed over some silly incident or bonehead mistake. Eventually the most isolated become true victims and some seek their revenge. The events that unfolded at Virginia Tech or Columbine serve as a good example as to what can happen in the most extreme cases. We should all take note that the incidents are becoming more frequent and more violent. The intended result may be a good time but there is an unintended result and and you may be surprised to find its affect on your life.
2) What we practice in common with others and what we do to others all in pursuit of a laugh eventually come home to roost. We barely know our neighbors, we aren’t very open with our achievements and our failures. We in fact are quite terrified of the world in general and have developed technologies that “force” us not to interact with our community. Computers, Internet, TV, Movies, Video game systems. All of these allow us to stay at home avoiding that cruel world that lurks outside the door. We don’t go out to the movies anymore… we order movies through the mail or through cable, We don’t go to dinner..we have it delivered. We don’t have to go out to shop for groceries…a truck will deliver it. In fact we don’t have to go out to buy anything..we can buy it on line or on TV.
The unintended result of our humor is that we avoid any interaction to avoid being the victim. We can’t talk to our neighbors because we cant look them in the eye. We cant look them in the eye because of the fun we’ve had at their expense. We are also afraid to be caught in the gaze of someone who might “find out” about us and then we will become the victim of our humor as well. And it gets worse. We can’t help our neighbor when they need it because they’re afraid to ask. We can t ask our neighbor for help because we are afraid that while they may help us, we will later become the topic of discussion at somebodies yap session. It is a vicious circle and the only way we can break it is for someone…anyone to venture out, risk ridicule and talk honestly, openly, earnestly and funny….ly about themselves and their circumstances. We might just be surprised that humor comes back in vogue and the world will become a nicer place to be.
I wonder who it will be?
These are, after all, the musings of a mind that wanders.
Categories: Society · The world as I see it
Tagged: country, Cruelty, Honor, Humor, integrity, Jokes
Read what I think
