This is typically the time of year when we conduct a short mental inventory of the past twelve months and look ahead to the new year. I'm no different. These thoughts mix the personal aspects of life with the public events we've experienced over the last year, and some expectations for the new year. So allow me to ramble a bit about Last Year and Next Year. I hesitate to make actual predictions. Those who do skate on very thin ice, and run the unenviable risk of looking silly. At my age, I do enough to look silly without purposefully inviting it.
Beginning on a personal note, I can report that my immediate family and I have weathered the year in pretty good shape, all things considered. We have had a few notes of concern about the health and well being of friends and some in our extended family, but have had no major losses or sadness. One never knows when matters such as these will change, but I am always grateful to know that strong people of great character, and uncommon kindness and love, inhabit the space closest to me and form the fabric of our family.
Our family has also been fortunate to enjoy continued success in our professions. As economic conditions stagnate and contribute to uncertainty, we've all kept our jobs and we've been able to support ourselves and each other through difficult times. Many around us have not been able to do this, so we have also tried to contribute some relief to members of our community who need our help, as well as our personal and political commitment to creating a more just world.
Even though I shy away from making predictions, there is one I can make with absolute certainty. Our family will greet and cherish a new member of the family in early January. Our younger daughter and her husband will present the world with a new baby girl to join her brother. She will be our fifth grandchild. This is a personal joy to us, and even more reason to work hard for a better world. Each new child represents great potential, and a great responsibility for those who come before them. I refuse to see the world through the narrow lens of my own lifespan. Instead, I find it more purposeful to embrace the duty of creating the best world possible for those who will inherit it. Will the next generation blame us, or thank us for the world we've left them?
The last year contained both horrible public events and some very heartening events as well- but isn't that the way of most years? It was a year of disasters: Japan earthquake and tsunami, Brazil landslides, New Zealand earthquake, U.S. east coast Hurricane Irene, Alabama and Missouri tornadoes, Texas drought and wildfires, Turkey earthquake, Bangkok and Philippines flooding, U.S. mid-Atlantic record snow storms, East Africa drought and starvation- just to name the major ones. Tens of thousands died and many more were left to suffer the ruins. It was a year of political upheaval here and around the world. World leadership changed in some countries with the death of both tyrants and heroes- while some were just replaced in the midst of global economic turmoil. Wars dragged on while others ended with no victory- no defeat, only the legacy of lost lives and limbs, and lost treasure.
This year we witnessed the near total breakdown of our political process as stubborn ideologies battered each other, seemingly forgetting their primary purpose of governing. Our government, and most particularly our Congress brought shame upon itself for acting foolishly. The real heartbreak of this year has been the steady erosion of the middle class, as more and more Americans slip into poverty. This has happened while the most wealthy have relentlessly increased their own wealth at the expense of the rest of us and with the complicity of the Congress, who are bought and paid for by the rich and powerful.
But, I did say there was heartening news too. I found it very encouraging that so many people here and around the world have exerted self determination for freedom and justice in the face of governments that could not, or would not do it on their behalf. The "Arab Spring" is a sign that humanity retains the spark of hope against tyranny and repression. Certain elections here last year tell us there is hope. The "Occupy Movement" reminds us that our liberties, and our sense of justice were born in protest against the Crown by our founders, and gave rise to our country. It tells us the voice of the People will be heard. This is a voice that has been too long silent- now awakened.
Our political season gets underway in earnest in January. If you've read my earlier blogs you know I've had some fun writing about the early posturing by the Republican field. But now it's time to get serious. This country has serious issues and must find a serious direction. So far, the Republican class of 2012 hopefuls have not distinguished themselves as worthy to lead this country. "Corporations are people, my friend", "there are serious questions about his birth place","yes, I would approve of water boarding", "oops","if you're not rich..blame yourself", "I would send the Capital Police to arrest them" (Federal Judges), "999", "in poor neighborhoods the children can clean the schools", "the fence would be electrified" "God told me to run", "God told ME to run"(different candidate). Republican audiences cheered executions; booed an active-duty, war zone serviceman who is gay; and shouted to let the uninsured die in the streets----silence from the candidates...................This is pathetic- and it not us.
We have allowed this crop to engage us in a race to the bottom- to see who can be the meanest, most backward thinking, science denying, reality ignoring, egomaniac who would be President. They have played upon our worst instincts and fears. My wish for the next year is that sanity will return and serious people will emerge who will restore decency and sensibility to the process. The next election will give us clear choices. But, I fear we may lose civility-I fear the race issue will boil over- I fear more polarization. I hope we all demand more and reject the usual politics of hatred and division. We need each other, even when we disagree with one another.
Over the last year I've attempted to expand my own interests and activities more. This blog is one such effort. I thank you for allowing me to share it with you. I've been heartened by the response I've gotten, and been encouraged. I am absolutely convinced that no matter how old we are, they is always room to explore new things- and it is the exploration of new activities and interests that keeps us vital, youthful and alive. I will make every effort to meet new people and experience new things in the year to come. I know these aren't the kind of essays you can look at for a few seconds and move on. Reading these blogs takes a few minutes, but I was determined to put something down that required some real thought on my part- and hopefully caused some different thoughts on your part. Whether you agree or disagree, I'm grateful to be part of the conversation and I thank you. I look forward to the next year- I know it will be an exciting year for me, my family, and all of you as we march together into the future.
Thanks for looking in.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
" A Christmas Carol" A Christmas Wish
Charles Dickens first published this amazing story in 1843 in Britain, the land of his birth, and the place where he encountered images and experiences that led him this tale of sadness and redemption. "A Christmas Carol" is my favorite Christmas story because, from my earliest recollections, it stuck a chord in me about the idea of conscience. Even as a small child I experienced this story, as told in cartoon fashion with Mr. McGoo in the lead role as Ebenezer Scrooge, with fright and wonder at was playing out before my eyes. As I grew to adulthood and learned more about the world, its history, and its injustices the story took on greater significance for me as I came to understand, in full, it's true meaning. Dickens' own life experiences plays heavily in the lessons he teaches us through this novella. He was impoverished for a time. His own father was separated from the family to serve time in a debtor's prison. Those experiences deeply influenced his writing, and led to a life advocating for the poor and the children of Victorian Britain. I hope you will treat yourself to a small journey of discovery by researching Dickens' remarkable life and the background of this work, and other works.
Dickens' genius is truly exposed in his placing of this message against the background of the Christmas holiday. He doesn't take the course of religious meaning, but instead guides us through this Christmas season along a path of awakening to charity and kindness for our fellow man. My own beliefs match well with this approach, and perhaps that explains my fascination with the story and the message it conveys.
In each part of the story there is a great lesson to be learned. Each character tells us something unique about the times and the context of life's experience. However, there is also a timelessness to this tale. We can easily compare the conditions of society then to the conditions we have now. Victorian Britain was a place of privilege and wealth for a few, but also a place of poverty and despair for the masses. We have the same situation now. The great pursuit of wealth (Scrooge),at the expense of the working class (Bob Cratchit), is a story for this age too. Scrooge was given his dire warning in the night when his departed business partner Jacob Marley appears in the chains of his riches, and tells Scrooge to change his ways. As Scrooge argues about the virtues of Marley's business success, Marley snaps back:
"Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business: charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
This passage reveals the central theme of the story. The spirit of Christmas is not embodied in the selfish rich- but in the virtues he names (charity-mercy-forbearance-benevolence). Incidentally these are the same virtues that are embedded in Christian ideals, when truly practiced. Dickens offered no defense of the "job creators" of his time. He condemned them and blamed them for the plight of the poor and the children (Tiny Tim) who were needlessly doomed because of exploitation and greed.
Scrooge shrugs off the visit by Marley and is visited throughout the night by three spirits who show him his life in stages. The Ghost of Christmas Past reminds Scrooge of the love and happiness he lost in his quest for riches, as well as reminding him of the hurt he felt as a youth, when those around him did not embrace the spirit of the season. Scrooge begins to feel regret, but remains unconvinced. The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the celebrations of family members, and how they feel sorry for him, because he has chosen to ignore the love of his family. The Ghost shows him the home of Bob Cratchit, where family love is the most cherished reason to celebrate Christmas. This ghost also reveals others living in the world who are depraved and hardened by the harsh times their impoverished circumstances have caused. Finally the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come guides Scrooge through a dark and harrowing world created by greed, and the suffering of the masses. This tour goes through the Cratchit home where Tiny Tim has died, where only his crutch stands in the corner to remind them of the love they had for their dear lost son.The journey ends at Scrooge's grave where he is finally able to comprehend the real legacy of a life spent ignoring the plight of others, while ruthlessly pursuing wealth.
For me, the most important lesson is the one taught by the Ghost of Christmas Present. Before he leaves Scrooge he reveals two small, emaciated, and unearthly looking children who were hidden beneath his robes. Dickens described them as "wretched, abject, frightful, hideous and miserable". When Scrooge tries to ignore their obvious condition and asks if they belong to the spirit, the spirit says. "they are Man's". Then he goes on to introduce them with an ominous warning:
"This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased."
We are told that Ignorance and Want will doom mankind- most particularly Ignorance. But we are also told that we can do something about these conditions- they can be erased. These should be the guiding principles for our leaders, and for us, as we chose our own path and that of our country. Unfortunately we see too many among us proposing a different path, one that assures more ignorance and more want- more economic injustice, while the "Scrooge's" count their money. Today we might call them the 1%.
Dickens ends the story with Ebenezer's reform and his salvation- having learned the true values of life from his ghostly visitors. In the end we see a man reborn, giddy with the spirit of Christmas, filled with charity and concern for his fellow man. We see a man who goes about this life from then on, happy in his service to others. In this we see the true spirit of Christmas, and Dickens ends "A Christmas Carol".
Thank you for allowing me to share this timeless story with you, and tell you how much it means to me. Our family hopes that all of you will enjoy happy holidays and a Merry Christmas. Our fervent wish for the new year is that the spirit of Dickens' message will reach those who need it most to rekindle the virtues that serve mankind best.
Thanks for looking in.
Dickens' genius is truly exposed in his placing of this message against the background of the Christmas holiday. He doesn't take the course of religious meaning, but instead guides us through this Christmas season along a path of awakening to charity and kindness for our fellow man. My own beliefs match well with this approach, and perhaps that explains my fascination with the story and the message it conveys.
In each part of the story there is a great lesson to be learned. Each character tells us something unique about the times and the context of life's experience. However, there is also a timelessness to this tale. We can easily compare the conditions of society then to the conditions we have now. Victorian Britain was a place of privilege and wealth for a few, but also a place of poverty and despair for the masses. We have the same situation now. The great pursuit of wealth (Scrooge),at the expense of the working class (Bob Cratchit), is a story for this age too. Scrooge was given his dire warning in the night when his departed business partner Jacob Marley appears in the chains of his riches, and tells Scrooge to change his ways. As Scrooge argues about the virtues of Marley's business success, Marley snaps back:
"Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business: charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
This passage reveals the central theme of the story. The spirit of Christmas is not embodied in the selfish rich- but in the virtues he names (charity-mercy-forbearance-benevolence). Incidentally these are the same virtues that are embedded in Christian ideals, when truly practiced. Dickens offered no defense of the "job creators" of his time. He condemned them and blamed them for the plight of the poor and the children (Tiny Tim) who were needlessly doomed because of exploitation and greed.
Scrooge shrugs off the visit by Marley and is visited throughout the night by three spirits who show him his life in stages. The Ghost of Christmas Past reminds Scrooge of the love and happiness he lost in his quest for riches, as well as reminding him of the hurt he felt as a youth, when those around him did not embrace the spirit of the season. Scrooge begins to feel regret, but remains unconvinced. The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the celebrations of family members, and how they feel sorry for him, because he has chosen to ignore the love of his family. The Ghost shows him the home of Bob Cratchit, where family love is the most cherished reason to celebrate Christmas. This ghost also reveals others living in the world who are depraved and hardened by the harsh times their impoverished circumstances have caused. Finally the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come guides Scrooge through a dark and harrowing world created by greed, and the suffering of the masses. This tour goes through the Cratchit home where Tiny Tim has died, where only his crutch stands in the corner to remind them of the love they had for their dear lost son.The journey ends at Scrooge's grave where he is finally able to comprehend the real legacy of a life spent ignoring the plight of others, while ruthlessly pursuing wealth.
For me, the most important lesson is the one taught by the Ghost of Christmas Present. Before he leaves Scrooge he reveals two small, emaciated, and unearthly looking children who were hidden beneath his robes. Dickens described them as "wretched, abject, frightful, hideous and miserable". When Scrooge tries to ignore their obvious condition and asks if they belong to the spirit, the spirit says. "they are Man's". Then he goes on to introduce them with an ominous warning:
"This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased."
We are told that Ignorance and Want will doom mankind- most particularly Ignorance. But we are also told that we can do something about these conditions- they can be erased. These should be the guiding principles for our leaders, and for us, as we chose our own path and that of our country. Unfortunately we see too many among us proposing a different path, one that assures more ignorance and more want- more economic injustice, while the "Scrooge's" count their money. Today we might call them the 1%.
Dickens ends the story with Ebenezer's reform and his salvation- having learned the true values of life from his ghostly visitors. In the end we see a man reborn, giddy with the spirit of Christmas, filled with charity and concern for his fellow man. We see a man who goes about this life from then on, happy in his service to others. In this we see the true spirit of Christmas, and Dickens ends "A Christmas Carol".
Thank you for allowing me to share this timeless story with you, and tell you how much it means to me. Our family hopes that all of you will enjoy happy holidays and a Merry Christmas. Our fervent wish for the new year is that the spirit of Dickens' message will reach those who need it most to rekindle the virtues that serve mankind best.
Thanks for looking in.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Our Christmas Tradition
As we move precariously closer to the Christmas holiday I'm thinking quite a lot about Christmas traditions. Growing up, we didn't have Christmas traditions- we had iron clad Christmas regimens that had to be followed with military precision. Just the mere thought, let alone suggestion, of wavering from our Christmas regimen would draw icy stares from drawn-in faces within the family. If discovered in some clandestine whispered discussion about changing the routine, one might expect to be sent off to the gulag, never to be seen again. So you could say- yes, we had Christmas traditions.
The routine started Christmas eve after a better than usual evening meal. After dinner my grandparents would come over to our house to watch TV and spend time with us. They lived right next door, which made the trip very convenient. TV programming on Christmas eve was always some Christmas special.(in color!) It may have been a variety show where the stars sing Christmas songs and such. It may have been a movie on TV about the nativity or a classic Christmas movie. At 9 we all had some Lipton tea- hot tea with a good deal of sugar, plus some Christmas cookies, to keep us up for midnight mass. After the tea, my grandparents would return to their house for a quick rest and to dress for Christmas mass. We did the same, with my dad donning his Knights of Columbus tuxedo and ceremonial sword. We re-grouped at 11:20 p.m. to make the short trip to church. You had to get there early because there are a lot more Catholics on Christmas than any other time.
Mass took exactly 75 minutes. Then home to hop in bed and await Christmas morning. Up at 7:00 a.m.. My sister and I would check out the tree. No time for breakfast but we were permitted a piece of chocolate fudge. My mom made a mean fudge, and this was the only time fudge was considered as an acceptable breakfast food. Then we all headed next door to my aunt, uncle and cousins' house. The grandparents were already there. You see, all three houses were located next each other. We would patiently watch as the cousins opened their presents along with my aunt and uncle. For some unexplained, and unalterable, reason they were always first in the compound to get Christmas. Then, by 8:40 a.m. it was over to my house where we opened our presents as they all watched us. This usually lasted until about 9:40a.m. This was followed by free time when everyone went there separate ways to sort through the Christmas loot and get rid of the wrapping paper. The communal burn barrel was conveniently located between the houses.
At 11:00 a.m. the whole clan reconvened at the grandparents' house where Christmas dinner would be served. The Turkey dinner was served at noon which gave us time for a Christmas drink. Adolescence was rewarded with a Christmas drink along with the adults. This part of the tradition was a big deal. Following the dinner and the cleanup there was free time again. Weather permitting, the male cousins played football in the perfect rectangle of our back yard. Late afternoon meant reconvening at the grandparents' house for a supper of left-overs and the last of the Christmas gathering.
Regimented as it was, I admit it was pretty nice. It simply became the way we experienced Christmas. Then it happened- we grew up. Growing up meant dating and eventually marrying people who were so inconsiderate as to have their own family Christmas traditions. Here's where the trouble starts.
Perhaps because Christmas is so heavily laden with emotion and family tradition, it can also be a holiday ripe for conflict. We've all seen it, or experienced it. The need to strictly maintain old traditions has, in some sad cases, caused some huge family fights. Family fights at Christmas are never forgotten-- precisely because this holiday is so deeply entrenched with emotions, and high expectations of togetherness. I suppose it's only natural that as more people are added to families through marriage or other necessities it just becomes impossible to adhere to all the old traditions. Logistics just become impossible as we come to grips with the immutable truth that you can't be in two places at once. For those in the older generation (and I count myself there now) feelings can be hurt as we try desperately to keep a tight grip on our traditions. The younger generations, now young parents themselves, struggle to meet the demands of two families- while trying so hard to create traditions of their own, for their children.
It is sad to see families going through times of hurt feelings and conflict. It is heartbreaking to see family conflicts escalate to levels where loved ones won't even speak to each other for long periods. I've seen this happen among folks in my own extended family. For me, and Lee, that would be a hell we could not accept or endure at Christmas or any other time.
Lee and I have decided that there will be only one unbreakable Christmas tradition. We will honor our family by gracefully accepting change and newness coming into our family, with all our love. We have decided that our children are entitled to create their own lives and their own special times to pass on. We see no need to hold our kin to old regimens that are nearly impossible to keep- and make everyone crazy along the way. We have come to know that acceptance is a huge part of family love- and that change and newness can open doors to even more closeness and stronger ties within our family. It's a great gift to give and to receive. Happily, I can report I'm hearing more stories all the time, from people I know, who are making a conscience effort to do things differently, and experience old holidays in new ways. Traditions have their place, and I've enjoyed many- but we must make room in our hearts for the birth of new experiences along the way.
Being in the older generation now I think it is our duty to live and act in ways that support our young parents, with all their challenges in this hectic world.. We've lived through many Christmas seasons now, and I find it remarkably refreshing to just relax, and admire how our children do all they can to bring holiday joy and happiness to their kids. These are proud moments for us. I would never want to get in the way of that by my insistence on tradition, for nothing more than tradition's sake. The true gift of this season is being with family, no matter where or how we do it.
Thanks for looking in.
The routine started Christmas eve after a better than usual evening meal. After dinner my grandparents would come over to our house to watch TV and spend time with us. They lived right next door, which made the trip very convenient. TV programming on Christmas eve was always some Christmas special.(in color!) It may have been a variety show where the stars sing Christmas songs and such. It may have been a movie on TV about the nativity or a classic Christmas movie. At 9 we all had some Lipton tea- hot tea with a good deal of sugar, plus some Christmas cookies, to keep us up for midnight mass. After the tea, my grandparents would return to their house for a quick rest and to dress for Christmas mass. We did the same, with my dad donning his Knights of Columbus tuxedo and ceremonial sword. We re-grouped at 11:20 p.m. to make the short trip to church. You had to get there early because there are a lot more Catholics on Christmas than any other time.
Mass took exactly 75 minutes. Then home to hop in bed and await Christmas morning. Up at 7:00 a.m.. My sister and I would check out the tree. No time for breakfast but we were permitted a piece of chocolate fudge. My mom made a mean fudge, and this was the only time fudge was considered as an acceptable breakfast food. Then we all headed next door to my aunt, uncle and cousins' house. The grandparents were already there. You see, all three houses were located next each other. We would patiently watch as the cousins opened their presents along with my aunt and uncle. For some unexplained, and unalterable, reason they were always first in the compound to get Christmas. Then, by 8:40 a.m. it was over to my house where we opened our presents as they all watched us. This usually lasted until about 9:40a.m. This was followed by free time when everyone went there separate ways to sort through the Christmas loot and get rid of the wrapping paper. The communal burn barrel was conveniently located between the houses.
At 11:00 a.m. the whole clan reconvened at the grandparents' house where Christmas dinner would be served. The Turkey dinner was served at noon which gave us time for a Christmas drink. Adolescence was rewarded with a Christmas drink along with the adults. This part of the tradition was a big deal. Following the dinner and the cleanup there was free time again. Weather permitting, the male cousins played football in the perfect rectangle of our back yard. Late afternoon meant reconvening at the grandparents' house for a supper of left-overs and the last of the Christmas gathering.
Regimented as it was, I admit it was pretty nice. It simply became the way we experienced Christmas. Then it happened- we grew up. Growing up meant dating and eventually marrying people who were so inconsiderate as to have their own family Christmas traditions. Here's where the trouble starts.
Perhaps because Christmas is so heavily laden with emotion and family tradition, it can also be a holiday ripe for conflict. We've all seen it, or experienced it. The need to strictly maintain old traditions has, in some sad cases, caused some huge family fights. Family fights at Christmas are never forgotten-- precisely because this holiday is so deeply entrenched with emotions, and high expectations of togetherness. I suppose it's only natural that as more people are added to families through marriage or other necessities it just becomes impossible to adhere to all the old traditions. Logistics just become impossible as we come to grips with the immutable truth that you can't be in two places at once. For those in the older generation (and I count myself there now) feelings can be hurt as we try desperately to keep a tight grip on our traditions. The younger generations, now young parents themselves, struggle to meet the demands of two families- while trying so hard to create traditions of their own, for their children.
It is sad to see families going through times of hurt feelings and conflict. It is heartbreaking to see family conflicts escalate to levels where loved ones won't even speak to each other for long periods. I've seen this happen among folks in my own extended family. For me, and Lee, that would be a hell we could not accept or endure at Christmas or any other time.
Lee and I have decided that there will be only one unbreakable Christmas tradition. We will honor our family by gracefully accepting change and newness coming into our family, with all our love. We have decided that our children are entitled to create their own lives and their own special times to pass on. We see no need to hold our kin to old regimens that are nearly impossible to keep- and make everyone crazy along the way. We have come to know that acceptance is a huge part of family love- and that change and newness can open doors to even more closeness and stronger ties within our family. It's a great gift to give and to receive. Happily, I can report I'm hearing more stories all the time, from people I know, who are making a conscience effort to do things differently, and experience old holidays in new ways. Traditions have their place, and I've enjoyed many- but we must make room in our hearts for the birth of new experiences along the way.
Being in the older generation now I think it is our duty to live and act in ways that support our young parents, with all their challenges in this hectic world.. We've lived through many Christmas seasons now, and I find it remarkably refreshing to just relax, and admire how our children do all they can to bring holiday joy and happiness to their kids. These are proud moments for us. I would never want to get in the way of that by my insistence on tradition, for nothing more than tradition's sake. The true gift of this season is being with family, no matter where or how we do it.
Thanks for looking in.
Friday, December 9, 2011
My New Boyfriend
GAWD! Dating is so hard these days. I'm just pissed. OK, let me introduce myself. I'm a Republican primary voter. You can call me Melissa, or Peggy, or John or Joe. It just doesn't matter. What matters is that I just can't find the right guy. I have tried so hard but all the good ones are taken, or they just aren't into the dating scene. Take Jeb, and Chris for instance. They won't even take my calls. I've tried flattery-I've tried guilt. I even tried to throw money at them- and now you can't get them to even answer a text. All they want to do is sit this one out and criticize everyone. See if you get asked out again!?! (And Chris, if you ever do want to get asked out again, you better get a handle on that eating problem- just saying.)
The last few years have been tough. I finally realized I just have to make some changes in my life. So I decided to really get back in the game after the terrible year I had in "08. But, who can blame me after the way Bush totally wrecked the dating scene for me? Barack Obama- Really? I got so frustrated with him I started calling him a Socialist, a Communist and a Fascist- all in the same sentence. I know it doesn't make sense, but he was making me nuts. (BTW- he's black) So I got serious and started looking around for a new boyfriend. Let me tell you- it ain't been easy. I even joined a social dating network called the Tea Party. They were great at first with all the attention and stuff, but that didn't work out either. Turns out they were just a bunch of old white folks who didn't know medicare IS a government program. Turns out they just like crazy hats and they had issues with anything Obama said. (BTW- he's black)
I kind of knew who was "on the market" in January. So I asked out a guy named Donald Trump. You may have heard of him. He's a real estate guy and has a TV show where he fires people. He is the only man in America who has gone bankrupt owning a casino. (three times) He was flashy and showy and I guess I got caught up in all the hype. I was even willing to overlook the obvious hair problem and the nutty Birther talk. At first everyone said he was the real thing, but it turned out he was a foolish megalomaniac, and a guy I could never take home to meet my mom.
Next I went to a "speed dating" event. You know, a Republican debate. They have them all over the place, every few days. I saw a guy there named Mitt Romney. He looked good. He's handsome, and he's loaded. The guy could be a mannequin at the Men's Warehouse. What a hunk- and just the right amount of graying at the temples. I wasn't ready to go all in on this guy then- but, you never know. He looks interesting but the rumor is that he's a guy who just can't "commit". Turns out there is a mountain of video tape to prove it.
Then I thought, maybe I'll experiment, and try a woman. This was my first time with a woman- I don't count Sarah Palin because she was just a big tease. Meet Michele Bachman. She was fun and exciting and new. I admit, I liked being with a woman more than I thought I would, especially after she won that beauty contest in Ames Iowa. She's a great name caller-and had some really weird, different ideas, and maybe I needed that in my life at that time. Turns out she had never taken an American history course and people kept making fun of her. I have to admit some of her ideas were just a little bit CRAZZZEEEE. We broke up- I'm a Republican, so being with a woman wasn't going to be a forever thing anyway. I feel sorry for her though. Now she can't get a date either.
Then HE came. The new guy everybody wanted- Rick Perry. He is so cool and he has a great name and he killed a lot of inmates in Texas. He is devilishly handsome and has a dreamy Texas accent. My uncle Bill even said "he's a good lookin' rascal". Let me tell you, it got hot and heavy in a New York minute! We fell in lust........ then he spoke. Oh No! He had every quality to be a President, except a brain. I really wanted to believe he was "the one", but even I was stunned at how dumb this guy is. Once you've seen the cowboy ride in on his big horse and he plays you that one song he knows on his harmonica- there wasn't much left to talk about. What a disappointment! He's outa there. I heard he is making late night info-mercials for Jesus now.
I thought about Ron Paul, but I'm just not that into him. I thought about Jon Huntsman too. He's smart and capable and all, but he just doesn't turn me on. He's like that guy in high school who is super smart, but nerdie- like his mom combs his hair for him. You can't bring yourself to hang out with him, but you always sit by him during finals so you can cheat off his test. Blah-blah-blah. Rick Santorum. Pulleeeze! What a loser. How does a guy think that losing his Senate seat qualifies him to date me? I'm dying to find a winner in this bunch.
Hey there! Hello Herman Cain. (BTW he's black) It's OK that Herman is black. He's not one of those really smart, president-y black guys. He's my kind of black guy. Even Ann Colter said "our black guys are better than your black guys". He is charming. He says all the things I want to hear. He has a great singing voice. He has a big, generous heart (That's according to him, in explaining his generosity to so many "troubled" women). I think he just wanted to get in my pants....pockets to sell me a book. In the end we broke up too. I guess his wife told him to get his butt back home where she could keep an eye on him. It wouldn't have worked out anyway. That 999 deal was stupid- and he didn't know Lybia from shine-ola. Not really the marrying kind when we're looking for commander-in-chief material, is he?
I'm down to the last guy. Since he is the LAST guy, I'm going all the way with him. It's Newt! I know- I know. I knew him years ago and I never thought he would be my new boyfriend. Back then I thought he was really creepy. He's the guy who invented modern congressional gridlock and eventually looked stupid when he went up against my uncle Bill. He's the guy with all the ex-wives and the affairs. He's the guy with all the ethics violations in Congress and eventually resigned in shame, having to pay that huge fine for corruption. He's also the guy who used his name to create a huge windfall on "K" St. as "not a lobbyist". He's got more baggage than Samsonite, and there's a lot more on the cart we haven't seen yet. Maybe he's changed. I hope so because I've just run out of available guys. Who am I kidding- he's still really creepy. But I'm so desperate, I'll get in bed with Newt. Yuk! Even though I know this is going to turn out very badly in the end- there just isn't anybody left out there to date. I have to hook up with somebody before next year, to take me to the election.
So, meet my new boyfriend Newt Gingrich. I know it's crazy. Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm just too fickle and I don't know what I want. I've been hurt and confused for a long time now. All I know is that I want to get rid of Obama (BTW he's bla- well, you know). Oh Mitt, if this relationship blows up like every other guy (and gal) I've dated, (and it probably will) I hope you'll still go out with me.
Thanks for looking in.
The last few years have been tough. I finally realized I just have to make some changes in my life. So I decided to really get back in the game after the terrible year I had in "08. But, who can blame me after the way Bush totally wrecked the dating scene for me? Barack Obama- Really? I got so frustrated with him I started calling him a Socialist, a Communist and a Fascist- all in the same sentence. I know it doesn't make sense, but he was making me nuts. (BTW- he's black) So I got serious and started looking around for a new boyfriend. Let me tell you- it ain't been easy. I even joined a social dating network called the Tea Party. They were great at first with all the attention and stuff, but that didn't work out either. Turns out they were just a bunch of old white folks who didn't know medicare IS a government program. Turns out they just like crazy hats and they had issues with anything Obama said. (BTW- he's black)
I kind of knew who was "on the market" in January. So I asked out a guy named Donald Trump. You may have heard of him. He's a real estate guy and has a TV show where he fires people. He is the only man in America who has gone bankrupt owning a casino. (three times) He was flashy and showy and I guess I got caught up in all the hype. I was even willing to overlook the obvious hair problem and the nutty Birther talk. At first everyone said he was the real thing, but it turned out he was a foolish megalomaniac, and a guy I could never take home to meet my mom.
Next I went to a "speed dating" event. You know, a Republican debate. They have them all over the place, every few days. I saw a guy there named Mitt Romney. He looked good. He's handsome, and he's loaded. The guy could be a mannequin at the Men's Warehouse. What a hunk- and just the right amount of graying at the temples. I wasn't ready to go all in on this guy then- but, you never know. He looks interesting but the rumor is that he's a guy who just can't "commit". Turns out there is a mountain of video tape to prove it.
Then I thought, maybe I'll experiment, and try a woman. This was my first time with a woman- I don't count Sarah Palin because she was just a big tease. Meet Michele Bachman. She was fun and exciting and new. I admit, I liked being with a woman more than I thought I would, especially after she won that beauty contest in Ames Iowa. She's a great name caller-and had some really weird, different ideas, and maybe I needed that in my life at that time. Turns out she had never taken an American history course and people kept making fun of her. I have to admit some of her ideas were just a little bit CRAZZZEEEE. We broke up- I'm a Republican, so being with a woman wasn't going to be a forever thing anyway. I feel sorry for her though. Now she can't get a date either.
Then HE came. The new guy everybody wanted- Rick Perry. He is so cool and he has a great name and he killed a lot of inmates in Texas. He is devilishly handsome and has a dreamy Texas accent. My uncle Bill even said "he's a good lookin' rascal". Let me tell you, it got hot and heavy in a New York minute! We fell in lust........ then he spoke. Oh No! He had every quality to be a President, except a brain. I really wanted to believe he was "the one", but even I was stunned at how dumb this guy is. Once you've seen the cowboy ride in on his big horse and he plays you that one song he knows on his harmonica- there wasn't much left to talk about. What a disappointment! He's outa there. I heard he is making late night info-mercials for Jesus now.
I thought about Ron Paul, but I'm just not that into him. I thought about Jon Huntsman too. He's smart and capable and all, but he just doesn't turn me on. He's like that guy in high school who is super smart, but nerdie- like his mom combs his hair for him. You can't bring yourself to hang out with him, but you always sit by him during finals so you can cheat off his test. Blah-blah-blah. Rick Santorum. Pulleeeze! What a loser. How does a guy think that losing his Senate seat qualifies him to date me? I'm dying to find a winner in this bunch.
Hey there! Hello Herman Cain. (BTW he's black) It's OK that Herman is black. He's not one of those really smart, president-y black guys. He's my kind of black guy. Even Ann Colter said "our black guys are better than your black guys". He is charming. He says all the things I want to hear. He has a great singing voice. He has a big, generous heart (That's according to him, in explaining his generosity to so many "troubled" women). I think he just wanted to get in my pants....pockets to sell me a book. In the end we broke up too. I guess his wife told him to get his butt back home where she could keep an eye on him. It wouldn't have worked out anyway. That 999 deal was stupid- and he didn't know Lybia from shine-ola. Not really the marrying kind when we're looking for commander-in-chief material, is he?
I'm down to the last guy. Since he is the LAST guy, I'm going all the way with him. It's Newt! I know- I know. I knew him years ago and I never thought he would be my new boyfriend. Back then I thought he was really creepy. He's the guy who invented modern congressional gridlock and eventually looked stupid when he went up against my uncle Bill. He's the guy with all the ex-wives and the affairs. He's the guy with all the ethics violations in Congress and eventually resigned in shame, having to pay that huge fine for corruption. He's also the guy who used his name to create a huge windfall on "K" St. as "not a lobbyist". He's got more baggage than Samsonite, and there's a lot more on the cart we haven't seen yet. Maybe he's changed. I hope so because I've just run out of available guys. Who am I kidding- he's still really creepy. But I'm so desperate, I'll get in bed with Newt. Yuk! Even though I know this is going to turn out very badly in the end- there just isn't anybody left out there to date. I have to hook up with somebody before next year, to take me to the election.
So, meet my new boyfriend Newt Gingrich. I know it's crazy. Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm just too fickle and I don't know what I want. I've been hurt and confused for a long time now. All I know is that I want to get rid of Obama (BTW he's bla- well, you know). Oh Mitt, if this relationship blows up like every other guy (and gal) I've dated, (and it probably will) I hope you'll still go out with me.
Thanks for looking in.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
100 People
Large numbers are both intimidating and mind-numbing at the same time. In an age when we are expected to grasp the concept of millions, billions, and trillions of things we start to lose our perspective on the actual meaning of such enormous numbers. Take, for example, the issue of dollars. In discussing our economy, it is nearly impossible to truly grasp the how much a $trillion is. Or, if we think of the notion of time, I doubt many of us can truly relate to the idea that the Earth is 4.54 billion years old or that the Universe is estimated to be about 13 billion years old, in the context of our own short lives. One of the principal reasons why many people cannot understand or accept evolution is because they simply can't relate to the massive amounts of time over which living things (including us) evolve. Let's face it- our mere 70 or so years of life don't amount to a micro speck in the vast continuum of time. Under some conditions a year can seem like an eternity to us- imagine 4.54 billion of them. Large numbers, in nearly every context, tend to numb us to the reality they represent.
A few years ago some brilliant person or persons (I don't know who) put together a model that realistically reduced the human condition to just 100 people. 100 is a much easier number to cope with than trying to analyze what 7 billion of us look like. I had seen these models before and thought they were truly a great way to reduce the large of number of humans to a more understandable picture. Please explore this model on your own- just Google "100 people". My reason for introducing you to this model is that I hope it will spur you to some different thoughts about how we compare to others in the world. Given our privileged life in this country I find this model interesting, sometimes embarrassing, and always humbling. So let's take a look at the world as if it were only 100 people.
50 are male- and 50 are female. That's good for the forces of reproduction, but even though females are exactly half of humanity, they don't have nearly half the wealth, power or control of the other half anywhere on Earth. hmm!
80 are adults- 20 are children. On a scientific basis we consider a person to reach adulthood when they reach sexual maturity and can reproduce, not when they reach their 18th birthday. In western cultures we tend to ignore the biological definition of adulthood and keep our offspring children much longer than nature would.
61 are Asian- 12 are European- 13 are African- 14 are from the Western Hemisphere. Asians have the decided majority on this count. It makes one wonder about why Western cultures always think of themselves as dominant, when most of the world views life from such a different point of view.
18 are white- 82 are non-white. (This is an essentially biased way to count- why don't we count who's black and who's non-black, for example) We, in the minority, have certainly been able to pull off some mighty big injustices against non-whites considering our puny numbers, haven't we?
31 are Christan- 21 are Muslim- 14 are Hindu- 6 are Buddhists- 12 practice some other religion, including just 1 Jewish person- and 16 practice no religion at all. We tend to think that Christians are the dominant religion in the world, and even though they represent the largest group, please note that 69 out of 100 are NOT Christian. In fact, the group that practices no religion is the third biggest.
17 speak a Chinese dialect- 8 speak Hindustani- 8 speak English- 7 speak Spanish- 4 speak Arabic- 4 speak Russian- 52 speak other languages.
1 has a college education- 99 do not. 1 owns a computer- 99 do not.
75 have some supply of food and a place to shelter them from wind and rain- 25 do not. This is disturbing when you multiply this number out by the 7 billion of us on the planet now. That means 1,750,000,000 people right now do not have access to adequate food and shelter.
1 is dying of starvation- 17 are malnourished- 15 are overweight. 83 have safe drinking water- 17 do not. This, again, is a staggering thought if you multiply it out for 7 billion people. 70,000,000 are dying of starvation as you're reading this.
So, there you have it- the world as represented by 100 people. There are other categories, but you can check them out for yourselves. It is important for all of us to see the world from a different perspective than we usually do. I, for one, can get caught up in seeing my world as only that world visible from my home, my town, or my country. But the actual world is very different than the relatively safe and comfortable world we have here in the United States. Far too many of us see the world like we see ourselves- predominantly white, Judeo-Christan, middle-class people living in homes with enough food all the time. As you can see, the world is not like that at all. Perhaps we have too much here. I'm pretty sure the rest of the world thinks we have too much here. Perhaps our view of ourselves is shaped more by our (relative) wealth than by anything else. We are very special in that way. The USA has 4.67% of the world's population and owns 25.4% of its wealth. No other country comes close to those proportions.
I only ask you to see the world a little differently from time to time because I think it's a useful reminder to be humble about all we have here. It is reminder to be tolerant of those who are different from us, are a different color than us, or worship a different God or in a different way than us, or don't worship a God at all. For as special as we think we are - there are many more people who live fundamentally different lives than us. They have value too- and it is good to know about the rest of humanity because it helps us understand more about ourselves and our place in the world.
Thanks for looking in.
A few years ago some brilliant person or persons (I don't know who) put together a model that realistically reduced the human condition to just 100 people. 100 is a much easier number to cope with than trying to analyze what 7 billion of us look like. I had seen these models before and thought they were truly a great way to reduce the large of number of humans to a more understandable picture. Please explore this model on your own- just Google "100 people". My reason for introducing you to this model is that I hope it will spur you to some different thoughts about how we compare to others in the world. Given our privileged life in this country I find this model interesting, sometimes embarrassing, and always humbling. So let's take a look at the world as if it were only 100 people.
50 are male- and 50 are female. That's good for the forces of reproduction, but even though females are exactly half of humanity, they don't have nearly half the wealth, power or control of the other half anywhere on Earth. hmm!
80 are adults- 20 are children. On a scientific basis we consider a person to reach adulthood when they reach sexual maturity and can reproduce, not when they reach their 18th birthday. In western cultures we tend to ignore the biological definition of adulthood and keep our offspring children much longer than nature would.
61 are Asian- 12 are European- 13 are African- 14 are from the Western Hemisphere. Asians have the decided majority on this count. It makes one wonder about why Western cultures always think of themselves as dominant, when most of the world views life from such a different point of view.
18 are white- 82 are non-white. (This is an essentially biased way to count- why don't we count who's black and who's non-black, for example) We, in the minority, have certainly been able to pull off some mighty big injustices against non-whites considering our puny numbers, haven't we?
31 are Christan- 21 are Muslim- 14 are Hindu- 6 are Buddhists- 12 practice some other religion, including just 1 Jewish person- and 16 practice no religion at all. We tend to think that Christians are the dominant religion in the world, and even though they represent the largest group, please note that 69 out of 100 are NOT Christian. In fact, the group that practices no religion is the third biggest.
17 speak a Chinese dialect- 8 speak Hindustani- 8 speak English- 7 speak Spanish- 4 speak Arabic- 4 speak Russian- 52 speak other languages.
1 has a college education- 99 do not. 1 owns a computer- 99 do not.
75 have some supply of food and a place to shelter them from wind and rain- 25 do not. This is disturbing when you multiply this number out by the 7 billion of us on the planet now. That means 1,750,000,000 people right now do not have access to adequate food and shelter.
1 is dying of starvation- 17 are malnourished- 15 are overweight. 83 have safe drinking water- 17 do not. This, again, is a staggering thought if you multiply it out for 7 billion people. 70,000,000 are dying of starvation as you're reading this.
So, there you have it- the world as represented by 100 people. There are other categories, but you can check them out for yourselves. It is important for all of us to see the world from a different perspective than we usually do. I, for one, can get caught up in seeing my world as only that world visible from my home, my town, or my country. But the actual world is very different than the relatively safe and comfortable world we have here in the United States. Far too many of us see the world like we see ourselves- predominantly white, Judeo-Christan, middle-class people living in homes with enough food all the time. As you can see, the world is not like that at all. Perhaps we have too much here. I'm pretty sure the rest of the world thinks we have too much here. Perhaps our view of ourselves is shaped more by our (relative) wealth than by anything else. We are very special in that way. The USA has 4.67% of the world's population and owns 25.4% of its wealth. No other country comes close to those proportions.
I only ask you to see the world a little differently from time to time because I think it's a useful reminder to be humble about all we have here. It is reminder to be tolerant of those who are different from us, are a different color than us, or worship a different God or in a different way than us, or don't worship a God at all. For as special as we think we are - there are many more people who live fundamentally different lives than us. They have value too- and it is good to know about the rest of humanity because it helps us understand more about ourselves and our place in the world.
Thanks for looking in.
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