<<Additional reposting from my previous blog.>>
“I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the Ghost.
Jacob Marley from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The older I become the more I appreciate the meaning but I don’t think we wait until the afterlife to bear the chains.
Each misstep, thoughtless action, harmful word or deed, youthful indiscretion and even mistakes recognized only after the fact, add weight to the chain. Whether the chain is nearly weightless or worth slabs of granite, once taken it’s never truly relinquished and the shame of each link never fades. Some carry the weight well, hardly noticing the pull. Others carry it Atlas-like, with aching backs and trembling legs, in mortal fear of adding another link that might lay them low. Make no mistake, we’re all encumbered to some degree and we’re all damaged by our chains no matter how delicate the craftsmanship. Few if any would reject the opportunity to go back to correct that first misstep.
Don’t judge a person too quickly by the weight of their chains; it’s who they were and mistakes they’ve made. If you must judge them, let it rather be by their willingness to lighten the burden of others or strides to improve themselves, that’s who they are and who they’re trying to be.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
I Sing the Body Politic.
“We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”
President John F. Kennedy
September 12, 1962 - Rice University in Houston, Texas
In his monumental speech calling for action, President Kennedy set a high standard for American achievement. After only two years since the first man had ventured into space, President Kennedy directed NASA to put an American on the Moon by the end of the decade. That’s vision. That’s challenging the human spirit to rise up and do incredible things with a single purpose. When Apollo 11 landed, there was no mention that President Kennedy had been a Democrat or that President Nixon was a Republican. The dream was fulfilled by Americans. The plaque resting on the Moon describes the event as “Men from the planet Earth”
Sadly, in the 21st century there is no such unity to be found.
We've become polarized politically, the divide becoming ever wider with an "us versus them" mentality and anyone that engages in bipartisan tones is labeled as weak or an INO (In Name Only). The November midterm election campaigns continue with seemingly no platform by either side, no positions, no new ideas. Neither side is asking for your vote but rather more interested in pleading for you to not vote for their opponent. I find little comfort in a candidate assuring me that they will screw me less than their opponent intends to. Either way, I’m getting screwed, not inspired.
And yes, I desperately want to be inspired rather than resigned. I want a candidate to escalate the debate; to challenge themselves and their opponents to vigorously explore all options to address our nation’s ills with new ideas. Civil, thoughtful and respectful debate and to engage in political discussion, not play politics. The status quo has long become unacceptable and the party options of “no” versus “can’t” has worn thin.
I blame the party leadership of both sides of the aisle and the purging of the moderates. I blame the national media now consisting exclusively of commentators, encouraging the frenzy with partisan content and viewers who wait until they see an (R) or (D) beside a person's name before agreeing or disagreeing. It's no longer the message, it's the messenger. I also blame us, the citizens for not being more active in shaping a political discussion and leaving it up to elected officials. We need to become more involved and remind ourselves that legislators are our voices, that we can direct the course of the nation to the most noble of pursuits rather than encourage the next news soundbyte. The best hope for our nation lies not in the failure of opposition but in the success of our endeavors.
Mundane or mediocrity. Those seem to be our choices.
“The best of our energies and skills” claimed President Kennedy.
When did that become too much to ask for?
President John F. Kennedy
September 12, 1962 - Rice University in Houston, Texas
In his monumental speech calling for action, President Kennedy set a high standard for American achievement. After only two years since the first man had ventured into space, President Kennedy directed NASA to put an American on the Moon by the end of the decade. That’s vision. That’s challenging the human spirit to rise up and do incredible things with a single purpose. When Apollo 11 landed, there was no mention that President Kennedy had been a Democrat or that President Nixon was a Republican. The dream was fulfilled by Americans. The plaque resting on the Moon describes the event as “Men from the planet Earth”
Sadly, in the 21st century there is no such unity to be found.
We've become polarized politically, the divide becoming ever wider with an "us versus them" mentality and anyone that engages in bipartisan tones is labeled as weak or an INO (In Name Only). The November midterm election campaigns continue with seemingly no platform by either side, no positions, no new ideas. Neither side is asking for your vote but rather more interested in pleading for you to not vote for their opponent. I find little comfort in a candidate assuring me that they will screw me less than their opponent intends to. Either way, I’m getting screwed, not inspired.
And yes, I desperately want to be inspired rather than resigned. I want a candidate to escalate the debate; to challenge themselves and their opponents to vigorously explore all options to address our nation’s ills with new ideas. Civil, thoughtful and respectful debate and to engage in political discussion, not play politics. The status quo has long become unacceptable and the party options of “no” versus “can’t” has worn thin.
I blame the party leadership of both sides of the aisle and the purging of the moderates. I blame the national media now consisting exclusively of commentators, encouraging the frenzy with partisan content and viewers who wait until they see an (R) or (D) beside a person's name before agreeing or disagreeing. It's no longer the message, it's the messenger. I also blame us, the citizens for not being more active in shaping a political discussion and leaving it up to elected officials. We need to become more involved and remind ourselves that legislators are our voices, that we can direct the course of the nation to the most noble of pursuits rather than encourage the next news soundbyte. The best hope for our nation lies not in the failure of opposition but in the success of our endeavors.
Mundane or mediocrity. Those seem to be our choices.
“The best of our energies and skills” claimed President Kennedy.
When did that become too much to ask for?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Be smart, be safe, be well. (Breast Cancer Awareness)
Everyone has been touched by cancer one way or another. You've lost someone or know someone who has. Perhaps you're battling the disease right now. Today is "Boobie Wednesday" on twitter, commonly known as #boobiewed. To show support and awareness in the fight against breast cancer, women change their avatars to display cleavage. A little racy perhaps, but it's all in good fun. Anything that can be done to shine a light on cancer is a great idea and to show the 9.8 million cancer survivors in the United States they're not alone.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer fatality in women; a woman will be diagnosed with cancer every two minutes. The incidence of cancer increases with age, but can occur in as early as late teens. Although breast cancer occurs predominantly in women, men are not immune; in fact nearly 2,000 cases were diagnosed last year with 440 deaths. Cancer isn't frightened by your station in life, what kind of car you drive and couldn't care less about your schedule.
There is always hope; the greatest weapons in the fight against breast cancer are awareness and early detection. Know your family history and be proactive. If there is an occurrence of cancer in your family, your risk is greatly increased; age, diet, alcohol and smoking are also factors. If you're a woman age 30 years or older, your risk of breast cancer increases exponentially. If detected early, the survival rate on average is 98% for localized disease and 84% for regional, five years after diagnosis.
Above all, be faithful about scheduling a mammogram and do regular self examinations. They can be done in the shower, as you dress for work, whenever you have the time.
Because time is what everyone is fighting for.
If you're wondering why I'm posting this as a man? Because ladies, without you there would be no us.
Be smart, be safe, be well.
Cancer Support Information (as provided by the American Cancer Society)National Breast Cancer Coalition
Telephone: 1-800-622-2838
natlbcc.org
A grassroots advocacy movement dedicated to the eradication of breast cancer through research, access, and influence
National Breast and Cervical Cancer
Early Detection Program
Telephone: 1-800-CDC-INFO or 1-800-232-4636
cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program helps low-income women gain access to timely, high-quality screening programs for the detection of breast and cervical cancer.
YourShoes 24/7 Breast Cancer Support
Center
Telephone: 1-800-221-2141 (English),
1-800-986-9505 (Spanish)
networkofstrength.org
A 24-hour hotline staffed by trained peer counselors who are breast cancer survivors. YourShoes provides information on breast cancer and breast health to anyone touched by or concerned about this disease.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Don't Ask, Don't Tell... Don't Act?
<Note: This is a repost from my previous blog. I'm making the transition from Tumblr.>
What I am writing may offend some, for that I apologize for that is not my intent. Given the current political climate however, I feel the need to express my thoughts on the very volatile subject of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).
I have fiscal conservative tendencies but I’m also a social liberal, which makes for a unique experience when inside the voting booth. For me, finding a position on the repeal of DADT is simple. My argument is based on Constitutionality; that the rights of each person should be recognized and treated equally. I support gay rights in all forms and the denying of the rights of some based on orientation is simply unconstitutional.
Those who enter the service deserve our highest respect and better treatment than this. They are our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters and even our parents. They answered our nations call to take up arms in defense of our rights and to keep us safe, despite the enormous risks. All they ask in return is to be respected as individuals and not to be placed in harm’s way unnecessarily. The status quo of DADT reinforces a painful stigma and creates a second class of citizens all while denying them a voice.
I know one argument is a fear of behavioral misconduct. I would argue that our military is the best trained in the history of the world; do we really expect that a soldier trained in how to react in combat would suddenly no longer be able to control their libido? While I’m not going to delve too deeply into the religious arguments, I will say that I’m a Christian and I’ve read my Bible; it also speaks to me of not judging and to love my neighbor as my brother. What I will address is this argument violates the separation of church and state and disenfranchises those who have a right to be themselves without fear of reprisal. The very rights our service men and women voluntarily have taken an oath to defend. The most popular argument is that it would disrupt troop cohesion; yet after President Truman integrated the troops under special order 9981, the military did what it does best: it adapted and became better for it.
The government does not bar me the opportunity to marry or to openly serve my country because of what is deemed as “appropriate behavior” yet those very rights are denied to our service men and women. Anti-gay legislation is discrimination as is the denying of government services and opportunities afforded to each individual. The government has no place in dictating what it deems a proper relationship anymore than it has the right to silence the voice of voter. The Constitution affords the rights of all to all and while it does not promise happiness, it does guarantee its pursuit.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
What I am writing may offend some, for that I apologize for that is not my intent. Given the current political climate however, I feel the need to express my thoughts on the very volatile subject of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).
I have fiscal conservative tendencies but I’m also a social liberal, which makes for a unique experience when inside the voting booth. For me, finding a position on the repeal of DADT is simple. My argument is based on Constitutionality; that the rights of each person should be recognized and treated equally. I support gay rights in all forms and the denying of the rights of some based on orientation is simply unconstitutional.
Those who enter the service deserve our highest respect and better treatment than this. They are our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters and even our parents. They answered our nations call to take up arms in defense of our rights and to keep us safe, despite the enormous risks. All they ask in return is to be respected as individuals and not to be placed in harm’s way unnecessarily. The status quo of DADT reinforces a painful stigma and creates a second class of citizens all while denying them a voice.
I know one argument is a fear of behavioral misconduct. I would argue that our military is the best trained in the history of the world; do we really expect that a soldier trained in how to react in combat would suddenly no longer be able to control their libido? While I’m not going to delve too deeply into the religious arguments, I will say that I’m a Christian and I’ve read my Bible; it also speaks to me of not judging and to love my neighbor as my brother. What I will address is this argument violates the separation of church and state and disenfranchises those who have a right to be themselves without fear of reprisal. The very rights our service men and women voluntarily have taken an oath to defend. The most popular argument is that it would disrupt troop cohesion; yet after President Truman integrated the troops under special order 9981, the military did what it does best: it adapted and became better for it.
The government does not bar me the opportunity to marry or to openly serve my country because of what is deemed as “appropriate behavior” yet those very rights are denied to our service men and women. Anti-gay legislation is discrimination as is the denying of government services and opportunities afforded to each individual. The government has no place in dictating what it deems a proper relationship anymore than it has the right to silence the voice of voter. The Constitution affords the rights of all to all and while it does not promise happiness, it does guarantee its pursuit.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Restrung and ready for fun!
Just....Imagine.
"Imagine all the people, living life in peace."
John Lennon's epic call for world unity will be 39 years old in a few weeks. Some critics (including Lennon himself) commented that the song was "anti-religious, anti-nationalistic, anti-conventional, anti-capitalist [song] but because it's sugar coated, it's accepted." (1) Whatever your reaction or interpretation of the song, there's no mistaking the cultural impact. "Imagine" is consistently ranked among the most inspirational and influential songs of all time with good reason. It's a song of hope, to think and dream of a better world.
A brotherhood of man, he sang. Not a call to lay down all arms, nor to forsake country or ideology, but to merely be open to the idea that we are all one people. We all love, experience loss, we grow older and grieve for those no longer with us. We all face the fear of failure, the joys of success, we weep and we dream.
Fall is coming, the holidays aren't as far off as some of us would like to believe. The economy is shrinking and the only commodity left is the most precious.... time. We all have some; perhaps not in the abundance we'd like or the quality we'd prefer but there are a few moments in the day. Perhaps only enough to offer a smile to a stranger, a phone call to friend or a hug to a loved one. I know I'm sounding a little "touchy-feely" but In the wealthiest nation on the planet, our children are going hungry, our sick are unattended and homelessness is on the rise. If you have more than moments, I urge you to make the most of it. Get involved in your community, call/write/email your representatives and tell them your concerns. Find your local shelter and find out what the most pressing needs are, perhaps they can use your old blankets or neglected toys from your children. You may be surprised. My shelter was in urgent need of clean (unused) socks and tupperware. Incredibly simple things that I take for granted each day.
The most difficult aspect of time is possession. Time can't be saved in hopes of growth, moments must be used or lost forever. The time is now, how will you use it?
"Imagine all the people, living for today", that's all.
(1) Gilmore, Mikal (2005-12-05). "Lennon Lives Forever: John Lennon". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/johnlennon/articles/story/8898300/lennon_lives_forever. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Landing on Blogger
So I'm trying out new blogging sites. I've unimpressed by WordPress and didn't really tumble much over Tumblr, so I continue my quest.
Why is it so difficult to find a blogging site that caters to the individual rather than vice-versa? I don't need fancy gadgets or ability to play movies. I don't care if the site has advertisements in it (as long as it's not overly intrusive) and nor do I care if it's the new "in" social site.
What I do want is ease of posting my thoughts, my pictures and ability to be creative.
We'll see.
Why is it so difficult to find a blogging site that caters to the individual rather than vice-versa? I don't need fancy gadgets or ability to play movies. I don't care if the site has advertisements in it (as long as it's not overly intrusive) and nor do I care if it's the new "in" social site.
What I do want is ease of posting my thoughts, my pictures and ability to be creative.
We'll see.
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