April 06, 2007
John Edwards in Salon Interview - my comment
A conversation with John Edwards
in Salon by Walter Shapiro 4.6.07
RE: Edwards' on Public Service Jobs Creation
At one point in my life I spent a couple of years in Spain. One thing I noticed was that lottery sales were done by old men. They walked the urban streets with their tickets and called out to potential buyers.
I was struck then and now that this provided money and worth to people well past normal work force ages.
Not everyone is born with the ability to keep up with computer age job requirements and I guess it's safe to say that simple manual labor jobs continue to decrease in number.
Ergo, why not, as a social policy, cut out a number of employment designations that could, yes, be done more efficiently by machines or alternate methods, and fill them with people who are only by the very nature of man and today's workplace not receiving of or contributing to America's bounty.
If I perchance to talk with a grocery store bagger or cart collection superintendent and realize that this employee is a "challenged" person, I smile.
This is what it is or should be all about.
"Hat tip", as the bloggers say, to participating grocery chains and to John Edwards for mainstreaming this important topic.
in Salon by Walter Shapiro 4.6.07
RE: Edwards' on Public Service Jobs Creation
At one point in my life I spent a couple of years in Spain. One thing I noticed was that lottery sales were done by old men. They walked the urban streets with their tickets and called out to potential buyers.
I was struck then and now that this provided money and worth to people well past normal work force ages.
Not everyone is born with the ability to keep up with computer age job requirements and I guess it's safe to say that simple manual labor jobs continue to decrease in number.
Ergo, why not, as a social policy, cut out a number of employment designations that could, yes, be done more efficiently by machines or alternate methods, and fill them with people who are only by the very nature of man and today's workplace not receiving of or contributing to America's bounty.
If I perchance to talk with a grocery store bagger or cart collection superintendent and realize that this employee is a "challenged" person, I smile.
This is what it is or should be all about.
"Hat tip", as the bloggers say, to participating grocery chains and to John Edwards for mainstreaming this important topic.
Labels: edwards, john edwards, public service jobs, salon, Social Issues
January 24, 2007
Feminism Trumps Psalm Singing Whales
.
If one allometrically scales the taxon mammals for encephalization quotient the results indicate that man and the porpoise are most equal. This affinity, (i.e. similar brain weight) alone could explain why porpoises and humans interact so well.
Also, whales, followed by elephants, rank highest in brain size surpassing the three-pound brain weight of man and porpoise.
These facts lead one to a complete teleological construct for the animal kingdom, plants included, and the universe: an all inclusive religion.
Simply stated, plants and man, each of carbon and water, seek similar corporal and spiritual nourishment, hallmarked by the “big brains” speaking or singing their love of God (generic).
It is a beautiful theory. All existence, all spirituality, gloriously, harmoniously, and ever so upliftingly encapsulated.
Man and plants together turn to the same spiritual sun and the hauntingly beautiful whale songs are psalms to God, hymns to the infinite.
Oh crap! It appears that female whales can’t or don’t or aren’t allowed to sing.
What a God darn bummer. Well, it was a nice oasis of spirituality while it lasted.
But wait! If women can marry other women and women are equal to men and females of ancient lizard species are procreating by both laying and fertilizing eggs themselves, then ergo the male whales might just be helping with the household chores and all is well. Yes? No? Maybe?
If one allometrically scales the taxon mammals for encephalization quotient the results indicate that man and the porpoise are most equal. This affinity, (i.e. similar brain weight) alone could explain why porpoises and humans interact so well.
Also, whales, followed by elephants, rank highest in brain size surpassing the three-pound brain weight of man and porpoise.
These facts lead one to a complete teleological construct for the animal kingdom, plants included, and the universe: an all inclusive religion.
Simply stated, plants and man, each of carbon and water, seek similar corporal and spiritual nourishment, hallmarked by the “big brains” speaking or singing their love of God (generic).
It is a beautiful theory. All existence, all spirituality, gloriously, harmoniously, and ever so upliftingly encapsulated.
Man and plants together turn to the same spiritual sun and the hauntingly beautiful whale songs are psalms to God, hymns to the infinite.
Oh crap! It appears that female whales can’t or don’t or aren’t allowed to sing.
What a God darn bummer. Well, it was a nice oasis of spirituality while it lasted.
But wait! If women can marry other women and women are equal to men and females of ancient lizard species are procreating by both laying and fertilizing eggs themselves, then ergo the male whales might just be helping with the household chores and all is well. Yes? No? Maybe?
Labels: Social Issues
December 21, 2006
The Pope's Prophylactics
.
I have this vision of acolytes preparing the Pope's food in the Vatican kitchens.
In this day and age they are appropriately wearing latex sheaths on their hands. Each finger is covered; ten little condoms for the Pope's oral hygiene.
But when it comes to genitalia..icky, icky...Pius and Paul...forswear protection in Christ's name...you'all.
I have this vision of acolytes preparing the Pope's food in the Vatican kitchens.
In this day and age they are appropriately wearing latex sheaths on their hands. Each finger is covered; ten little condoms for the Pope's oral hygiene.
But when it comes to genitalia..icky, icky...Pius and Paul...forswear protection in Christ's name...you'all.
Labels: Creative Writing, Social Issues
December 17, 2006
Time Person of Year : Category Incompetence
"And in the Category of Consistency in Incompetence,.....the winner is,....the Purrr..esident of the United States....George Walker Bush!!!"
As Hendrik Hertzberg writes in The New Yorker, Bush has been over his head since taking office, most especially in regard to Iraq/foreign affairs.
I have a golf partner, John, late thirties, tech-savvy, enjoying his first newborn, Sarah. He is right wing with a slight mist of bigotry and racism. We treat our differences with humor, trading barbs and occasional internet links about gossipy partisan outrages that, at one, are serious and sad yet qualify as black humor.
Prior to the election he said, "You and my Dad have been telling me how incompetent and out of touch Bush is. I finally get it."
Some may laud Emanuel and Schumer for putting good tires on the Democratic vehicle which eventually won the elections. Others may extol the " digital public" for providing the gas and hoorah Howard Dean for a fifty state map but in the end it was Bush and Cheney and their incompetence that "Got us to the Church on Time."
As Hendrik Hertzberg writes in The New Yorker, Bush has been over his head since taking office, most especially in regard to Iraq/foreign affairs.
I have a golf partner, John, late thirties, tech-savvy, enjoying his first newborn, Sarah. He is right wing with a slight mist of bigotry and racism. We treat our differences with humor, trading barbs and occasional internet links about gossipy partisan outrages that, at one, are serious and sad yet qualify as black humor.
Prior to the election he said, "You and my Dad have been telling me how incompetent and out of touch Bush is. I finally get it."
Some may laud Emanuel and Schumer for putting good tires on the Democratic vehicle which eventually won the elections. Others may extol the " digital public" for providing the gas and hoorah Howard Dean for a fifty state map but in the end it was Bush and Cheney and their incompetence that "Got us to the Church on Time."
Labels: Creative Writing, Social Issues
December 15, 2006
"Unknown Unknowns"
Illustrated by Johari's Window
Johari Window - a psychometric tool
A Johari window is a metaphorical tool created by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in 1955 in the United States, used to help people better understand their interpersonal communication and relationships. It is used primarily in self-help groups and corporate settings as a heuristic exercise.
A Johari window is a metaphorical tool created by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in 1955 in the United States, used to help people better understand their interpersonal communication and relationships. It is used primarily in self-help groups and corporate settings as a heuristic exercise.
Labels: Social Issues
December 12, 2006
Tom DeLay: The Proxymoron
Proxymoron
Defined as: Tom Delay invoking Christ, God or ethics in his speech. Tom DeLay speaking for God.
Variant: Brother Frist diagnosing Terry Schiavo's brain function from a video (and invoking God, Christ or Christian ethics).
Proxymoronic: Bush, using only "Bubba-speak", requests a half Billion big ones for a Bush Library: (and invokes any symbol of sense or ethical decorum.)
Defined as: Tom Delay invoking Christ, God or ethics in his speech. Tom DeLay speaking for God.
Variant: Brother Frist diagnosing Terry Schiavo's brain function from a video (and invoking God, Christ or Christian ethics).
Proxymoronic: Bush, using only "Bubba-speak", requests a half Billion big ones for a Bush Library: (and invokes any symbol of sense or ethical decorum.)
Labels: Creative Writing, Iraq/ foreign policy, Social Issues
November 22, 2006
Three Speedy Ways to Mid-East Peace
.
1. Accelerate global warming until entire Mid-East is barren shifting desert.
2. Free of charge, flood Mess-O-Potamia with misogynistic rap CD's, low hip jeans, nipple and labia piercing Pierce-O-Matic guns, tattoo paraphernalia, (edible veils?) and other essences of the West until the youth rise up in a tsunamic fever of co-opted capitalistic consumerism.
3. Admit that Jesus was a goof.
1. Accelerate global warming until entire Mid-East is barren shifting desert.
2. Free of charge, flood Mess-O-Potamia with misogynistic rap CD's, low hip jeans, nipple and labia piercing Pierce-O-Matic guns, tattoo paraphernalia, (edible veils?) and other essences of the West until the youth rise up in a tsunamic fever of co-opted capitalistic consumerism.
3. Admit that Jesus was a goof.
Labels: Creative Writing, Iraq/ foreign policy, Social Issues
November 08, 2006
“God Forgive Me, I Voted Democratic”
.
Desperate voters, fearful that homosexuals might enjoy the sanctity of marriage knowingly elect an incompetent President.
(2004 Election Summary - cognitorex)
Desperate voters, despite their fears that homosexuals might enjoy the sanctity of marriage knowingly elect oversight for an incompetent President.
(2006 Election Summary - cognitorex)
Desperate voters, fearful that homosexuals might enjoy the sanctity of marriage knowingly elect an incompetent President.
(2004 Election Summary - cognitorex)
Desperate voters, despite their fears that homosexuals might enjoy the sanctity of marriage knowingly elect oversight for an incompetent President.
(2006 Election Summary - cognitorex)
Labels: Creative Writing, Social Issues
May 20, 2006
FOREIGN LAW SUPREME COURT POCAHONTAS
Justice Scalia is to be commended for telling conservative legislators to cease and desist their legislative endeavors to exclude foreign law consideration from Supreme Court deliberations.
Contrary to the best thinking of these xenophobe pandering Congressmen our cherished 230 years young founding documents were not found under Pocahontas's skirt.
The Declaration of Independence is essentially a French document. I repeat. Our declaration of Independence is essentially a French document.
Kudos to Jean-Jaques Rousseau and Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu.
Societies change and laws change with them. Jumping up and down with hands clasped about one's ears to shut out philosophical deliberations contrary to one's pre-set opinion is at best infantile.
Contrary to the best thinking of these xenophobe pandering Congressmen our cherished 230 years young founding documents were not found under Pocahontas's skirt.
The Declaration of Independence is essentially a French document. I repeat. Our declaration of Independence is essentially a French document.
Kudos to Jean-Jaques Rousseau and Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu.
Societies change and laws change with them. Jumping up and down with hands clasped about one's ears to shut out philosophical deliberations contrary to one's pre-set opinion is at best infantile.
Labels: Social Issues
April 09, 2006
REFULGENT EPICENE RESPONDS TO CHRISTIANISM
.
The gorgeous and sexy gay man smiles at Jerry Falwell (on Larry King perhaps?) and says:
"Darling, Reverend, we honestly appreciate that you Christianists at least allow us to do "what we do" in the privacy of our homes. Likewise in the spirit of of turn-about is fair play, no pun intended, we are just tickled to have you do "what you do" in the sanctity of your churches.
The gorgeous and sexy gay man smiles at Jerry Falwell (on Larry King perhaps?) and says:
"Darling, Reverend, we honestly appreciate that you Christianists at least allow us to do "what we do" in the privacy of our homes. Likewise in the spirit of of turn-about is fair play, no pun intended, we are just tickled to have you do "what you do" in the sanctity of your churches.
Labels: Creative Writing, Social Issues
February 11, 2006
DICK CHENEY and MIKE TYSON
.
What do these two fine gentlemen have in common?
They both exhibit psychopathic tendencies. And:
In would behoove you to cover your ears when in their presence.
What do these two fine gentlemen have in common?
They both exhibit psychopathic tendencies. And:
In would behoove you to cover your ears when in their presence.
Labels: Bush Admin, Social Issues
May 26, 2005
PANDORA'S THONG
THE ISLAMIC WOMEN’S VOTE:
IS IT ALL THAT IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE??
The Setting: a MIDDLE EAST WOMEN'S RIGHTS RALLY: an Arabic Mother & Daughter are speaking as Laura Bush approaches the podium.
Mom: Doesn't Mrs. Bush look lovely? She somehow reminds me of Mary Tyler Moore.
Dghtr: You actually know other American rights' activists?
Mom: (laughing) Oh no. Mary Tyler Moore is a TV character. She represents an ideal, a woman who works and of course votes yet knows exactly where women's rights end and "pushy" begins.
Dghtr: If you say so Mom, but speaking of rights, can I get a thong?
Mom: A what? A thong?
Dghtr: You know, underwear. Like Brittany and Madonna wear. The single strip up your bum. I want a bright red camel thong.
Mom: (momentarily thinking) ....And a tattoo to match, right?
Dghtr: That would be nice.
Mom: And all this would be followed by your Father giving his blessing for your Brother to marry his buddy Gamel...?
Dghtr: (In great consternation) Mother!
Mom: (aside) Perhaps we shouldn't have come here.
END
Labels: Creative Writing, Social Issues
March 24, 2005
SCIENCE BACKS SUMMERS
"Calculus of driving isn't lost on women"
Published Cape Cod Times Mar 26, 05'
Regarding the storm over Harvard President Summers' remarks:
In a recent yet unpublished study relating to proclivity and prowess in applied math and physics, researchers simulated being lost while driving. The husband drove and the wife rode.
Cortex electrodes revealed that the wife stimulated the intuitive zone while the man's mathematical nodes were active. Post-simulation, the wives claimed that knowing where they were going seemed the paramount issue while the men, on debriefing, said they were calculating how much faster they would have to drive to make up for lost time.
Case closed?
Not entirely. On switching positions at the wheel, men's math activity tended to decline, particularly among those who felt they wouldn't be lost if they were driving. Ninety-two percent of the wives asked for help, although it was outside the test parameters, but 8 percent of the women did have increased mathematical activity.
None would disclose what formulas they were devising.
There!
.
Published Cape Cod Times Mar 26, 05'
Regarding the storm over Harvard President Summers' remarks:
In a recent yet unpublished study relating to proclivity and prowess in applied math and physics, researchers simulated being lost while driving. The husband drove and the wife rode.
Cortex electrodes revealed that the wife stimulated the intuitive zone while the man's mathematical nodes were active. Post-simulation, the wives claimed that knowing where they were going seemed the paramount issue while the men, on debriefing, said they were calculating how much faster they would have to drive to make up for lost time.
Case closed?
Not entirely. On switching positions at the wheel, men's math activity tended to decline, particularly among those who felt they wouldn't be lost if they were driving. Ninety-two percent of the wives asked for help, although it was outside the test parameters, but 8 percent of the women did have increased mathematical activity.
None would disclose what formulas they were devising.
There!
.
Labels: Creative Writing, Published Letters, Social Issues
RETREAT FROM ENLIGHTENMENT
Our founding Fathers, privately men of God, chose Enlightenment Philosophers, Locke, Hobbes, Machiavelli, Rousseau and others as the source and inspiration for creating our founding documents. It is entirely reasonable to state that God's blessing was sought but the drafting of our Constitution and Bill of Rights was a endeavor to enumerate how fallible men might maintain a government acceptable to and accountable to the governed.
If being of a specific religion or needing to be religious or to appear to be religious is now a prerequisite for holding public office then we have retreated from Enlightenment. The law of our country is that a person of one religion may not be held to be ascendant over a person of another religion or a person of no religious beliefs.
"Of the People, by the People.." by the design of good pious men, by law, by their best thinking for creating a lasting and just government specifically excludes religion as a positive consideration for holding office
Today we hear a lot of God this and God that and Christianity this and that from Congress and the Oval office, including a certain specificity of religion when Jesus Christ is intoned. Ronald Reagan's son, also Ron, has been oft quoted as saying, "My Father was a very religious man, but he didn't wear his religion on his sleeve." President Reagan therefore upheld the spirit of our Founding Documents.
There exists a point that when public debate devolves from "Of the People, by the People" to "Of the religious, by the religious" that the spirit of our so heralded Constitution is blasphemed. Those who have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution need temper promotions, promulgations and practices that de facto or de jure undermine the laws and spirit of our great Nation.
An excerpt from Thomas Jefferson's Bill For Religious Freedom (1779) says much:
".........that the impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world and through all time:"
If being of a specific religion or needing to be religious or to appear to be religious is now a prerequisite for holding public office then we have retreated from Enlightenment. The law of our country is that a person of one religion may not be held to be ascendant over a person of another religion or a person of no religious beliefs.
"Of the People, by the People.." by the design of good pious men, by law, by their best thinking for creating a lasting and just government specifically excludes religion as a positive consideration for holding office
Today we hear a lot of God this and God that and Christianity this and that from Congress and the Oval office, including a certain specificity of religion when Jesus Christ is intoned. Ronald Reagan's son, also Ron, has been oft quoted as saying, "My Father was a very religious man, but he didn't wear his religion on his sleeve." President Reagan therefore upheld the spirit of our Founding Documents.
There exists a point that when public debate devolves from "Of the People, by the People" to "Of the religious, by the religious" that the spirit of our so heralded Constitution is blasphemed. Those who have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution need temper promotions, promulgations and practices that de facto or de jure undermine the laws and spirit of our great Nation.
An excerpt from Thomas Jefferson's Bill For Religious Freedom (1779) says much:
".........that the impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world and through all time:"
Labels: Social Issues
July 25, 2004
APOLOGIES AND PRISMS
.
Big whup! The august NYTimes apologizes for being behind the curve regarding several unpleasant truths regarding our runup and strategies re the war in Iraq.
An extensive article on why the US’s misrepresentations and mistakes were not more fully reported: that would be a news article.
What human prism blurs our vision? Patriotism, loyalty, hope/naivety or fear??
The war with its erroneous justifications, its foolish expectations and its deficient troop levels is now clear.
What I fear and expect, although I fervently wish it were otherwise, is that future discourse will be of the US’s attempt to establish a puppet government in Iraq. Who are these men, some with long ties to various US government offices? Will the Iraqi populous view the upcoming election as bona fide. Or will we have to throw another three years of occupation into the mix as the Iraqi’s struggle to identify their true, to be chosen, leaders?
Big whup! The august NYTimes apologizes for being behind the curve regarding several unpleasant truths regarding our runup and strategies re the war in Iraq.
An extensive article on why the US’s misrepresentations and mistakes were not more fully reported: that would be a news article.
What human prism blurs our vision? Patriotism, loyalty, hope/naivety or fear??
The war with its erroneous justifications, its foolish expectations and its deficient troop levels is now clear.
What I fear and expect, although I fervently wish it were otherwise, is that future discourse will be of the US’s attempt to establish a puppet government in Iraq. Who are these men, some with long ties to various US government offices? Will the Iraqi populous view the upcoming election as bona fide. Or will we have to throw another three years of occupation into the mix as the Iraqi’s struggle to identify their true, to be chosen, leaders?
Labels: Social Issues
