For several days I have watched an ongoing Facebook argument about the merits of our government. I have seen out and out rudeness against the President. In one case it seemed like a threat against his life. How can people spout such vitriol? Have they no respect for the office if not the man who occupies it? What has happened to civility?
Easy answer. Washington shows no respect for itself. They lie to the public, cheat on their wives, take bribes and do absolutely nothing they are paid to do. No wonder the rest of us are so filled with animosity.
I grew up in the 50's and 60's and it was a different world. Thought my parents were card carrying Republicans they did not show the disrespect for JFK that today's Republicans are spewing.
I don't care what your political affiliation is; respect should be at the top of your platform.
Just my thoughts.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Equality in All for All
There has been so much lately about the rights of the LGBT community. I saw this clip, a part of a longer program after the Oklahoma Decision against the definition of marriage.
What raised my dander about this is that no one called Sally Kern on the idea that the bible should have no place in governnment. I wanted to jump in the middle of her face and remind her that not all Americans are Christian or even accept the bible as holy.
The claim is often that denying same gender marriage preserves the 'sanctity' of marriage but no one can say how it harms another's marriage. I not gay but I support their right to live life as they choose. I also support the right of the likes of Sally Kern to tote her bible anywhere she wishes but keep it out of my government.
I realize this is Oklahoma and the reddest state in the US but someone should remind this Oklahoma State legislator that out government is secular, even in a red state.
What raised my dander about this is that no one called Sally Kern on the idea that the bible should have no place in governnment. I wanted to jump in the middle of her face and remind her that not all Americans are Christian or even accept the bible as holy.
The claim is often that denying same gender marriage preserves the 'sanctity' of marriage but no one can say how it harms another's marriage. I not gay but I support their right to live life as they choose. I also support the right of the likes of Sally Kern to tote her bible anywhere she wishes but keep it out of my government.
I realize this is Oklahoma and the reddest state in the US but someone should remind this Oklahoma State legislator that out government is secular, even in a red state.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Taking Risks
Many of us have great difficulty making decisions, making commitments and generally taking the first step. Recently I worked a cryptoquote that said, “Two mistakes people commonly make are not taking the first step and not going far enough.
What keeps us from making those important decisions? Fear, plain and simple. Some of us think we aren’t smart enough to make the right decision, some fear the consequences of our decisions on others we care about. But no decision IS a decision. It is a decision to maintain the status quo.
Ask.com states that we make about 612 decisions per day. WOW! Most of those decisions are automatic, coffee or tea, toast or muffin, black or brown shoes. The decisions that become problematic are the decisions we fear...although I have known a few to stress out over a biscuit!
Unlike mathematics where we can make a mistake and erase it and start again, in life, any decision however small can have irreversible consequences. Those are the decisions that leave us paralyzed.
So what to do?
It is said there are two kinds of decision makers. I call them “Quick Draw” and “Mud Wader”.Quick Draw decides before the problem is properly stated and lives with the consequences believing that doing something is better than doing nothing. Better to mess up than miss out.
Mud Wader on the other hand, stresses out, thinks of everything that could go wrong, how others will be affected and stalls. Sometimes the stall last long enough that the decision is no longer relevant. Thus maintaining the status quo.
We are, each of us, that butterfly that flaps its wings and causes a hurricane on the other side of the world. But should we stop flapping? What would be the consequence of that decision? How much progress would be made if we all just let things happen?
What keeps us from making those important decisions? Fear, plain and simple. Some of us think we aren’t smart enough to make the right decision, some fear the consequences of our decisions on others we care about. But no decision IS a decision. It is a decision to maintain the status quo.
Ask.com states that we make about 612 decisions per day. WOW! Most of those decisions are automatic, coffee or tea, toast or muffin, black or brown shoes. The decisions that become problematic are the decisions we fear...although I have known a few to stress out over a biscuit!
Unlike mathematics where we can make a mistake and erase it and start again, in life, any decision however small can have irreversible consequences. Those are the decisions that leave us paralyzed.
So what to do?
It is said there are two kinds of decision makers. I call them “Quick Draw” and “Mud Wader”.Quick Draw decides before the problem is properly stated and lives with the consequences believing that doing something is better than doing nothing. Better to mess up than miss out.
Mud Wader on the other hand, stresses out, thinks of everything that could go wrong, how others will be affected and stalls. Sometimes the stall last long enough that the decision is no longer relevant. Thus maintaining the status quo.
We are, each of us, that butterfly that flaps its wings and causes a hurricane on the other side of the world. But should we stop flapping? What would be the consequence of that decision? How much progress would be made if we all just let things happen?
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