Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Aerial Hunting - and(?) Palin supporters?
First, I'm against aerial hunting - not hunting, just aerial hunting. A couple of days ago, a friend forwarded an email regarding Palin's support for aerial hunting. I responded with agreement that it made no sense. My response drew a reaction from someone else (we'll call him 'CCCCC') that led to a couple of back-and-forth emails.
I appreciate disagreement. However, the immediate shift from the issue of aerial hunting into a defense of Sarah Palin took me by surprise - almost as if she were running for President. McCain isn't mentioned once.
It makes me concerned about the very narrow criteria and the 'presumptions' some people may use for discussing voting republican. I am also concerned by the quick turn by CCCCC to personal attack. I trust that this is unusual for McCain supporters. I tend to doubt that all McCain supporters see disagreement on a single, non-campaign issue as an attack. I hope not. Why so nervous?
After the final email from CCCCC, today, it's clear that the issue of Aerial Hunting was never on his mind at all. That final email is, I believe you'll be able to see, a repetition of most of the McCain campaign team's media releases. This posting is not the place to debate it. This is about Aerial Hunting. (to which CCCCC has still not provided an answer.)
So I think it is important to present this publicly - of course, with all names, email addresses, etc. deleted. The sequence has each email numbered at the left.
I have added comments for clarity and question in red.
Here is the whole sequence (without names):
1) Original Message -----
forwarded From: BBBBB
To:Group 1
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 7:21 AM
Subject: FW: To my animal loving friends
From: AAAAA To: BBBBB
Subject: To my animal loving friends
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 18:10:28 -0700
A disturbing video
Hi,
Have you ever heard of aerial hunting? It's a brutal practice. Wolves are shot from low-flying aircraft or chased to exhaustion, then killed at point-blank range.
Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for Vice President, promotes this barbaric practice, exploiting a loophole in the Federal Airborne Hunting Act to allow private wolf killers to shoot down wolves using aircraft. We have to get the word out about this!
Please watch this powerful video by Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, and then share it with every wildlife lover you know:
http://actionfund.defenders.org/palinvideo
2) On Mon, 9/8/08, CCCCC wrote:
From: CCCCC
To: Group1
Subject: Re: To my animal loving friends
Date: Monday, September 8, 2008, 11:19 AM
Before everyone gets upset wit the in humane killing of wolves with a rifle, [the first email was about aerial hunting, not rifles.] you need to see how wolves hunt and kill in packs.
3) My Response
From: ME
To: CCCCC and Group1
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 1:58 PM
Subject: Re: To my animal loving friends
Wolves hunt for food, not just to kill. They do it from the ground. They don't get paid for it. They don't wear lipstick. God made them that way. That's why THEY do it.
What about you.
4) From CCCCC
Re: To my animal loving friends
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 11:16 AM
From: CCCCC
To: ME
I think most of the foods you eat are also killed for food. As to me yes sadly enough I do kill for food. If you are suggesting that man kind should stop killing for food well then. [Where did this come from?] I would like to hear your plan. Include plant life in your plan. I am sure the corn and beans would like to hear from you as well.
Back to the wolves. I am sure there is a reason why these animals were hunted from the air and with rifles. [conjecture] It probably goes to some impact they were having on other animals or man kind. [probably?] I doubt that it was just senseless killing. [alot of assumptions here]
If you want to have a conversation about man kind trying to manage various sectors of animal populations i.e. the DNR go ahead. I believe that this is always done in the best interest of people.
Wolves are fine. Agreed they were nearly hunted to extinction, they are back and will probably inherit all of this. [the subject is not wolves, it's aerial hunting]
5) CCCCC also sent an immediate follow-up as follows:
From: CCCCC
To: ME
One other question I have ? You mention GOD. That is how GOD made the wolves. Is that casual or do you believe in GOD ?
6) my reply
To: CCCCC
From: Me
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 12:30 PM
Subject: Re: To my animal loving friends
First of all, be careful not to generalize a person's entire philosphy, gestalt and world-view from one situation - all food is always killed - there is no argument with that. Hunting and then using what you kill is not a bad thing. It is what Nature has been about since... forever!? I love steak!
The reference to "God", in this case, is for people who use 'God's will' [and "Godly-ness"] as a justification for the specific activity and will be different depending on which of the dozen or so religions you subscribe to, but it is the same as a reference to "Nature."
By Nature (by God) - when Wolves, wild cats, crocodiles, etc. hunt and kill for food, it is not 'pretty.' It is gorey and bloody. If they didn't hunt in packs or prides, etc, they would not be able to bring down enough to eat. We humans have evolved. When we hunt for food, we can kill it quickly. We dress it and the intent is to eat it.
When You hunt... do you make sure it's done quickly, or do you let the animal just bleed to death?
When people hunt for 'bounty' [as in the case of wolves] they don't worry about how things die. If we 'hit' it, it will die sometime, so who who cares if it takes an hour or a week. Who cares if it's still alive when we cut off the leg or ears for bounty? As long as I get paid and a pat on the back for being so civic-minded.
When people hunt for sport and for trophies - we only worry about 2 things - don't damage any parts that will show and all my friends will think I'm really cool.
However... the killing of wolves from the air is not done for food, nor is it done for the benefit of people, or anything else. It's done for convenience and profit. People like Ms. Palin who advocate this type of activity, are the same kind of people [my conclusion from reading and media] who gut-shoot wild horses from planes and leave them to die. The same people who use their SUV's to run down wild colts in the Southwest and leave them in the desert with broken legs. [these actually are documented as happening] They are the same people who 'turn down the bridge to no-where' ... but keep the money anyway. [my reference to questioning Palin's sincerity]
Both types of killing are for convenience.
So - Last week a 'Poor' football player was intentionally taken out in a targeted tackle. Broken bones and out for the season. What would have happened if everyone had left that 'poor' kid laying on the field to fend for himself with broken legs when the game was over?
It's ok. We have too many over-paid, under-educated football players as it is. One or two (or 20 or 30) dead ones will not impact the quality of Monday nights.
Go ahead, say it. "That's stupid, inhuman and serves no purpose!" Really? Maybe- and maybe that would put an end to the NFL drug problem? Maybe it would stop the 'team boys' getting away with one crime after another? Well, most people would be appalled at that approach. I would [be appalled]. But they use the same logic when they think wild animals are going to infringe on the 'property' they 'own.' A few less animals and that'll be the end of it - they won't be missed.
Let's stir up the mob, let's offer them MONEY [bounty for each confirmed kill]! Great - maybe they'll kill 5 or 10 sports figures over the quota, but hey, there are too many of them anyway. [ I'm obviously pushing the point of the illustration]
Wait a minute... weren't we talking about wild animals? [wolves]
Well, yeah, but we're not going to eat either one [wolves or football players] anyway so does it matter?
So - what do I tell my kids about the right and wrong reasons, and the right and wrong ways to hunt and kill?
7) From: CCCCC
To: ME
Well ABCDE [he addresses me], I am impressed. its always amazing to me those who feel they have the right,privileged and particularly knowledge to get up on the soap box.
You have known Sarah Palin for all of about 5 days as she was nominated or came to the publics attention on the 3rd of September. given you prose and assumed knowledge you have probably know her for the better part of your life. Or those institutive skills you possess for knowing and being all knowledgeable all you to be able with clarity tell us what she believes in. you jump to so many conclusions it should be embarrassing [the first complete set of 'classic' personal attacks from the first sentence on - which have nothing to do with the concepts in aerial hunting - and the beginning of an extensive defense of Palin. Why?]
Tell you what before you go running off to these people you have on you email address [note that my initial responses were sent only to the people on the list CCCCC had addressed. Subsequent emails I sent were to CCCCC only. I don't know what he did with them!] telling them what others believe in, I would do a very careful search of your soul and person, looking for what you believe in. You need some help and time spent on you I suspect. You don't and do few others have any deal what Sarah Palin believe in or support. [more classic personal attacks, this time on my, spirituality, morality - and yes, we DO know Palin's position on aerial hunting.] Time is being spent trying To figure that out.
Unfortunately if we are moving into the arena of politics here its is too back that equal time is not spent trying to figure out what other candidates believe in. Excuse me perhaps you already have..so tell me. [another attack?] What are the core principles of Obamaha and biden ? [on the issues? that's already published on the internet. However, this is another jump off of the aerial hunting issue again.]
Do they hunt ? Have they ever killed for sport and where do they stand on maintaining predatory animal populations like wolves. By the way lots of animals who are hunted are maimed for in the sport.
On to the caribou in anwar as you pay $4.00 for gas. How's that feel ?
[Now that was confusing, but appeared to be the beginning of a sermon to put me in my place!
I responded and, according to CCCCC, the response didn't go through. (I will include my response at the end here, but still in sequence of delivery.) CCCCC sent the following]
8) From: CCCCC
To: ME
I did not not get your last email. Windows scrubbed the content for some reason. So don't have any idea what you may have said.
Let me tell you that I am obviously a Palin/McCain believer. For some fundamental reasons. You have touched on a few. I believe in God. I don't mix God with Nature , only that he made it. This is is creation as are you. He made you to honor him. He put the flowers birds, bees, heavens, wolves and caribou to delight him, and for our enjoyment and responsibility to take care of and enjoy. The planet our environment all are there for us to respect, and take care of or destroy and with this destruction bring about our own.
I believe in the miracle of life and sanctity of life. I do not believe in abortion. Given your -views of killing wolves from an airplane, I wonder how you feel about sticking a needle into a developed human being (baby) and putting a vacuum device flipping a switch and sucking out the brain ? [another stretch away from aerial hunting, but a legitimate question]
How about botched abortions that leave the the baby to die in a storage facility. Just to mention a few. [like the botched wild horses in the southwest?] ABCDE [me], my problem with folks that generally take positions like yours can at the same time justify these acts. [another assumption] Obama claims that questions like does life begin at conception are above his pay grade. It is at the root issue of his beliefs and where he lines up with God [another assumption]. You cannot believe in God and at the same time destroy the very life he made in his image. Get off the wolves.
Today's news has Palin being attacked on her religion, mother hood, whether she was involved in dismissing an employee, how much pork barrel money she was involved with vs. others.
She is a good gal. She lives her life along Godly principles. [assumption] Those defined in the Bible and I think she has this countries best interest as she had the best interest of her constituencies in Alaska. [so her known push for earmarks were ok at that point? double standard?]
When you don't know where to turn or what to think, ask your self what would Jesus or God do. Don't ever vote against God. He has blessed this nation as our for fathers turned to him and included him in the basic founding principles of this country. [but not religion in the composition of our government. They were Very clear about that separation!]
[the concern I see here is that many people similar to CCCCC will base their vote for a president or vice president, solely on a claim of being 'Godly.'
How many 'Godly people' did it take to cause September 11?
How many 'Godly people' did it take to conduct the Crusades and commit the atrocities there? How about the 'Godly' Jim Jones, the Bakers, and the list goes on.
In or pluralistic country of several recognized, legitimate religions, several views of God exist. Why not include all of them too?
MORE importantly, what has all this to do with aerial hunting? CCCCC has gotten way off of aerial hunting and still has not said if he supports it! He now appears to be creating a Palin commercial.]
9) My Final email to CCCCC with the text of the attached response.
To: CCCCC
Message with attachment
Hi CCCCC, I think it stopped because it was a 'reply' and had all the past stuff embedded. Too much stuff so I copied and pasted my actual response into a Word doc here. Only because I believe you deserved an answer to the questions you raised.
Remember, my response was to your initial email to everyone [on CCCCC's list] about aerial hunting. [not about Palin]
Does Palin live according to any religious ethics or God? I haven't seen anything one way or another. Lots of talk, some upsetting contradictions, but that's common. I worry about her. She's a small fish netted and thrown into a big pond by the Republican Party for election reasons. Seems that McCain wanted Lieberman, but he was basically told who his partner would be. That's scary. For citizens, for all of us.
A few more weeks and what's real should start to show.
Thanks again,
Me
----------------
TEXT OF ATTACHMENT:
I cut and pasted my last email.
From: ME
Subject: Re: To my animal loving friends
To: CCCCC
Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 4:54 PM
Hey CCCCC, I love good didactic! And I apologize for not having given you the opportunity, but I noticed that nowhere in the messages you've sent do you say whether or not you support the aerial 'culling' of wolves. So - do you? If so, you have every right to your opinion - and if anyone tries to shut you up - call me and I'll be with you!
As for 'Soap-boxing' - you make it appear that you equate having an opinion with a radical version of 'soap-box' preaching. A little bit of a stretch. I do have the right to express my opinion. So do you. It has nothing to do with being “privileged.” If more people would actually engage in public discussion - AND disagreement - we might actually be better at finding common ground, convincing one or the other, or at finding workable solutions. So - I really do appreciate this!
I'm surprised you made the jump from this one issue - aerial hunting that is supported by more people than just Palin (with whom I would also disagree) - you make the assumption that I have some sort of overall opinion of Palin herself. You'll note that I haven't once mentioned Palin as a ‘target’ for this issue. Just her particular aerial hunting position. Nor have I made any claim to have any extensive knowledge about Palin. Nor have I tied her candidacy to my comments. More importantly, I haven't known Palin for 5 days. I (we) don't know her at all! We've only seen a tiny bit. The next month will tell.
What is known is that she did, in fact, hire a lobbyist to go after earmark money. It is known that she was in favor of the 'bridge'. It is a fact that after alot of uproar, she then said she was against the bridge. It is a fact that she did not return the money. That's all I know as documented fact.
Other issues-based opinions I may have, or may develop, are/will be based on the individual issues, researched fact and documented evidence. [not emotional reaction, or religious fervor.]
Now for $4.00/Gallon gas? I don't like it. It is likely going to go to $5.00 within 9 months and will probably wind up at $6.00 before 2010 - regardless of what the current administration does. That's not going to be fixed by opening ANWR or off-shore to drilling. Even the Bush Administration knows that. The US does not control all the factors.
Drilling in ANWR? Well - I have questions about that, and we'll leave nature, animals, the environment, global warming and all the tree hugging out of it for a minute. It is a fact that the oil companies have leases and drilling rights to almost 70 million acres of US land and they haven't begun drilling in any one of them yet. Why not? Why do they fight so hard for only ANWR and off-shore? Why not start drilling in what they've got? (Yes, I said drill!)
Why would Dick Cheney spend so much recent time in Georgia quietly meeting with oil company executives? A guess [my conjecture based on the trustworthiness he's shown over more than 30 years.] - Cheney's out of office soon, and so are Bush and several others who have very heavy interests in oil companies. It is a concern [for Americans] that their [the administration's] interests may be proding them to work out ways to keep the money flowing? Would they lie about that? Well, look at their records and decide for yourself. Why do the current administration and the current republican candidates never discuss the existing leases?
Why does approximately 90% of the oil we currently do bring up out of US ground go to China, India and the Middle East to be refined and sold back to us as gas? [by our oil companies]
Why is it that, when Administration officials, researchers and economists (private and government) say that additional drilling won't produce additional gas resources for 10 years, [if at all measurable] there is such a push by the administration and candidates for ANWR and off-shore drilling?
I believe that in 10 years, we will be buying hybrids and electric cars from Japan (and others who are way ahead of us) at a more feverish pace than we are even today. 10 years of drilling is 10 years of time (and money) we could be spending developing our own technology, taking the lead away from foreign countries, building manufacturing plants and making top-notch American vehicles.
But back to the aerial culling issue - You've said you hunt. I have friends who are avid hunters (rifle and bow.) They are adamant about the quality of hunting and would never use a plane just for the adrenaline of killing. They are proud of their skill and of the food they bring home to share with their families and friends. I'm guessing you have the same pride and value about your hunting. I am impressed by, and respect, the attitude they have for hunting. None of my hunting friends believe it [aerial hunting] should be used as quick population control or even that it is really hunting.
-------------
Population Control? A documented and acknowledged fact - the whole world has a population problem (too many humans.) Food supplies aren't sufficient already today. What do we do?
China has forced abortions to enforce the 'one child' law. What do we do?
Oil and coal fired Energy? Europe is a decade ahead of us in successful alternative electricity production. What do we do?
Texas is building its second wind farm (world's largest) because the first, in Plano, was so successful! What do we do?
Social security? Education? Our economy? Jobs? Abortion? Personal choice and rights and responsibilities? Government legislating religion, ethics and morality? The ethics of war for right versus war for money? The campaigns?
But those are different topics altogether. This was all about aerial hunting.
Thanks for responding CCCCC, and I really do appreciate the discussion. It adds to what I, my friends, neighbors and family talk about.
Me
(end of text)
--------------------------
10) Re: Last email
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 11:09 AM
From: CCCCC
To: ME
Hi ABCDE- I don't think in Sarah Palins wildest dreams she ever thought that she would be on a National stage. So let's assume that. If it is a valid assumption then every thing she has done up to this point has been because she thought it was the right thing to do. Including educing the wolf population in the most effective way. (Including cost effectiveness.) I do think she is a Christian woman and believes in God and tries to lead a God focused life.
Obama on the other hand has had a very very short time in politics. Never sponsored or wrote a bill in Congress. Very young very in experienced. I don't think that office is a training program. [the same arguments used against some of our greatest, most productive presidents. Lincoln, Eisenhower, Kennedy, etc.] Not given the issues we face. By the way if our enemies want Obama, not a good sign. [Which enemies]
Tell you what I think we know what we are getting to a large degree with McCain/Palin. The other guys are posters of public opinion, and the masses are asses. People are very wish washy. Most public opinion in this country today is lead by the media. The media is very biased. Very left wing. [Where did CCCCC's opinion come from? I venture quite probably the media presentations. It appears his negative view of the masses and the media only apply to Obama. Aren't they the same media and masses when we talk about McCain? There are many who would say the media is very right wing. Of course it would depend on which segments of the media you follow.]
I will make you a bet. If Obama and company get in, their entire cry will be that we can't change anything because we inherrited all these problems from Bush. Want to bet ? [Sorry sport, I don't 'gamble' with the future of my country just to prove how right I am. Especially not with a member of the 'public'... you remember them, the ones you called "wishy washy" ... "masses of asses."]
CCCCC
-------------------------------
This has to be the last in the email sequence about Aerial Hunting. It has been an interesting glimpse into the mind-set of a small part of the American electorate. I do have other things to do.
-------------------------------
Although the discussion on Aerial Hunting appears to have become one sided, I suggest that CCCCC is basically a decent person, a concerned citizen and has the best intentions. I would suggest that he, and all citizens, take the time (as I have and continue to do) to go to the candidate web sites, compare the positions on the election issues facing the next administration, look at the real qualifications and real national and international implications, and make their own decisions.
Aerial hunting? I'm still against it.
I appreciate disagreement. However, the immediate shift from the issue of aerial hunting into a defense of Sarah Palin took me by surprise - almost as if she were running for President. McCain isn't mentioned once.
It makes me concerned about the very narrow criteria and the 'presumptions' some people may use for discussing voting republican. I am also concerned by the quick turn by CCCCC to personal attack. I trust that this is unusual for McCain supporters. I tend to doubt that all McCain supporters see disagreement on a single, non-campaign issue as an attack. I hope not. Why so nervous?
After the final email from CCCCC, today, it's clear that the issue of Aerial Hunting was never on his mind at all. That final email is, I believe you'll be able to see, a repetition of most of the McCain campaign team's media releases. This posting is not the place to debate it. This is about Aerial Hunting. (to which CCCCC has still not provided an answer.)
So I think it is important to present this publicly - of course, with all names, email addresses, etc. deleted. The sequence has each email numbered at the left.
I have added comments for clarity and question in red.
Feel free to comment, argue, etc. - about aerial hunting hopefully.
Here is the whole sequence (without names):
1) Original Message -----
forwarded From: BBBBB
To:Group 1
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 7:21 AM
Subject: FW: To my animal loving friends
From: AAAAA To: BBBBB
Subject: To my animal loving friends
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 18:10:28 -0700
A disturbing video
Hi,
Have you ever heard of aerial hunting? It's a brutal practice. Wolves are shot from low-flying aircraft or chased to exhaustion, then killed at point-blank range.
Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for Vice President, promotes this barbaric practice, exploiting a loophole in the Federal Airborne Hunting Act to allow private wolf killers to shoot down wolves using aircraft. We have to get the word out about this!
Please watch this powerful video by Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, and then share it with every wildlife lover you know:
http://actionfund.defenders.org/palinvideo
2) On Mon, 9/8/08, CCCCC wrote:
From: CCCCC
To: Group1
Subject: Re: To my animal loving friends
Date: Monday, September 8, 2008, 11:19 AM
Before everyone gets upset wit the in humane killing of wolves with a rifle, [the first email was about aerial hunting, not rifles.] you need to see how wolves hunt and kill in packs.
3) My Response
From: ME
To: CCCCC and Group1
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 1:58 PM
Subject: Re: To my animal loving friends
Wolves hunt for food, not just to kill. They do it from the ground. They don't get paid for it. They don't wear lipstick. God made them that way. That's why THEY do it.
What about you.
4) From CCCCC
Re: To my animal loving friends
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 11:16 AM
From: CCCCC
To: ME
I think most of the foods you eat are also killed for food. As to me yes sadly enough I do kill for food. If you are suggesting that man kind should stop killing for food well then. [Where did this come from?] I would like to hear your plan. Include plant life in your plan. I am sure the corn and beans would like to hear from you as well.
Back to the wolves. I am sure there is a reason why these animals were hunted from the air and with rifles. [conjecture] It probably goes to some impact they were having on other animals or man kind. [probably?] I doubt that it was just senseless killing. [alot of assumptions here]
If you want to have a conversation about man kind trying to manage various sectors of animal populations i.e. the DNR go ahead. I believe that this is always done in the best interest of people.
Wolves are fine. Agreed they were nearly hunted to extinction, they are back and will probably inherit all of this. [the subject is not wolves, it's aerial hunting]
5) CCCCC also sent an immediate follow-up as follows:
From: CCCCC
To: ME
One other question I have ? You mention GOD. That is how GOD made the wolves. Is that casual or do you believe in GOD ?
6) my reply
To: CCCCC
From: Me
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 12:30 PM
Subject: Re: To my animal loving friends
First of all, be careful not to generalize a person's entire philosphy, gestalt and world-view from one situation - all food is always killed - there is no argument with that. Hunting and then using what you kill is not a bad thing. It is what Nature has been about since... forever!? I love steak!
The reference to "God", in this case, is for people who use 'God's will' [and "Godly-ness"] as a justification for the specific activity and will be different depending on which of the dozen or so religions you subscribe to, but it is the same as a reference to "Nature."
By Nature (by God) - when Wolves, wild cats, crocodiles, etc. hunt and kill for food, it is not 'pretty.' It is gorey and bloody. If they didn't hunt in packs or prides, etc, they would not be able to bring down enough to eat. We humans have evolved. When we hunt for food, we can kill it quickly. We dress it and the intent is to eat it.
When You hunt... do you make sure it's done quickly, or do you let the animal just bleed to death?
When people hunt for 'bounty' [as in the case of wolves] they don't worry about how things die. If we 'hit' it, it will die sometime, so who who cares if it takes an hour or a week. Who cares if it's still alive when we cut off the leg or ears for bounty? As long as I get paid and a pat on the back for being so civic-minded.
When people hunt for sport and for trophies - we only worry about 2 things - don't damage any parts that will show and all my friends will think I'm really cool.
However... the killing of wolves from the air is not done for food, nor is it done for the benefit of people, or anything else. It's done for convenience and profit. People like Ms. Palin who advocate this type of activity, are the same kind of people [my conclusion from reading and media] who gut-shoot wild horses from planes and leave them to die. The same people who use their SUV's to run down wild colts in the Southwest and leave them in the desert with broken legs. [these actually are documented as happening] They are the same people who 'turn down the bridge to no-where' ... but keep the money anyway. [my reference to questioning Palin's sincerity]
Both types of killing are for convenience.
So - Last week a 'Poor' football player was intentionally taken out in a targeted tackle. Broken bones and out for the season. What would have happened if everyone had left that 'poor' kid laying on the field to fend for himself with broken legs when the game was over?
It's ok. We have too many over-paid, under-educated football players as it is. One or two (or 20 or 30) dead ones will not impact the quality of Monday nights.
Go ahead, say it. "That's stupid, inhuman and serves no purpose!" Really? Maybe- and maybe that would put an end to the NFL drug problem? Maybe it would stop the 'team boys' getting away with one crime after another? Well, most people would be appalled at that approach. I would [be appalled]. But they use the same logic when they think wild animals are going to infringe on the 'property' they 'own.' A few less animals and that'll be the end of it - they won't be missed.
Let's stir up the mob, let's offer them MONEY [bounty for each confirmed kill]! Great - maybe they'll kill 5 or 10 sports figures over the quota, but hey, there are too many of them anyway. [ I'm obviously pushing the point of the illustration]
Wait a minute... weren't we talking about wild animals? [wolves]
Well, yeah, but we're not going to eat either one [wolves or football players] anyway so does it matter?
So - what do I tell my kids about the right and wrong reasons, and the right and wrong ways to hunt and kill?
7) From: CCCCC
To: ME
Well ABCDE [he addresses me], I am impressed. its always amazing to me those who feel they have the right,privileged and particularly knowledge to get up on the soap box.
You have known Sarah Palin for all of about 5 days as she was nominated or came to the publics attention on the 3rd of September. given you prose and assumed knowledge you have probably know her for the better part of your life. Or those institutive skills you possess for knowing and being all knowledgeable all you to be able with clarity tell us what she believes in. you jump to so many conclusions it should be embarrassing [the first complete set of 'classic' personal attacks from the first sentence on - which have nothing to do with the concepts in aerial hunting - and the beginning of an extensive defense of Palin. Why?]
Tell you what before you go running off to these people you have on you email address [note that my initial responses were sent only to the people on the list CCCCC had addressed. Subsequent emails I sent were to CCCCC only. I don't know what he did with them!] telling them what others believe in, I would do a very careful search of your soul and person, looking for what you believe in. You need some help and time spent on you I suspect. You don't and do few others have any deal what Sarah Palin believe in or support. [more classic personal attacks, this time on my, spirituality, morality - and yes, we DO know Palin's position on aerial hunting.] Time is being spent trying To figure that out.
Unfortunately if we are moving into the arena of politics here its is too back that equal time is not spent trying to figure out what other candidates believe in. Excuse me perhaps you already have..so tell me. [another attack?] What are the core principles of Obamaha and biden ? [on the issues? that's already published on the internet. However, this is another jump off of the aerial hunting issue again.]
Do they hunt ? Have they ever killed for sport and where do they stand on maintaining predatory animal populations like wolves. By the way lots of animals who are hunted are maimed for in the sport.
On to the caribou in anwar as you pay $4.00 for gas. How's that feel ?
[Now that was confusing, but appeared to be the beginning of a sermon to put me in my place!
I responded and, according to CCCCC, the response didn't go through. (I will include my response at the end here, but still in sequence of delivery.) CCCCC sent the following]
8) From: CCCCC
To: ME
I did not not get your last email. Windows scrubbed the content for some reason. So don't have any idea what you may have said.
Let me tell you that I am obviously a Palin/McCain believer. For some fundamental reasons. You have touched on a few. I believe in God. I don't mix God with Nature , only that he made it. This is is creation as are you. He made you to honor him. He put the flowers birds, bees, heavens, wolves and caribou to delight him, and for our enjoyment and responsibility to take care of and enjoy. The planet our environment all are there for us to respect, and take care of or destroy and with this destruction bring about our own.
I believe in the miracle of life and sanctity of life. I do not believe in abortion. Given your -views of killing wolves from an airplane, I wonder how you feel about sticking a needle into a developed human being (baby) and putting a vacuum device flipping a switch and sucking out the brain ? [another stretch away from aerial hunting, but a legitimate question]
How about botched abortions that leave the the baby to die in a storage facility. Just to mention a few. [like the botched wild horses in the southwest?] ABCDE [me], my problem with folks that generally take positions like yours can at the same time justify these acts. [another assumption] Obama claims that questions like does life begin at conception are above his pay grade. It is at the root issue of his beliefs and where he lines up with God [another assumption]. You cannot believe in God and at the same time destroy the very life he made in his image. Get off the wolves.
Today's news has Palin being attacked on her religion, mother hood, whether she was involved in dismissing an employee, how much pork barrel money she was involved with vs. others.
She is a good gal. She lives her life along Godly principles. [assumption] Those defined in the Bible and I think she has this countries best interest as she had the best interest of her constituencies in Alaska. [so her known push for earmarks were ok at that point? double standard?]
When you don't know where to turn or what to think, ask your self what would Jesus or God do. Don't ever vote against God. He has blessed this nation as our for fathers turned to him and included him in the basic founding principles of this country. [but not religion in the composition of our government. They were Very clear about that separation!]
[the concern I see here is that many people similar to CCCCC will base their vote for a president or vice president, solely on a claim of being 'Godly.'
How many 'Godly people' did it take to cause September 11?
How many 'Godly people' did it take to conduct the Crusades and commit the atrocities there? How about the 'Godly' Jim Jones, the Bakers, and the list goes on.
In or pluralistic country of several recognized, legitimate religions, several views of God exist. Why not include all of them too?
MORE importantly, what has all this to do with aerial hunting? CCCCC has gotten way off of aerial hunting and still has not said if he supports it! He now appears to be creating a Palin commercial.]
9) My Final email to CCCCC with the text of the attached response.
To: CCCCC
Message with attachment
Hi CCCCC, I think it stopped because it was a 'reply' and had all the past stuff embedded. Too much stuff so I copied and pasted my actual response into a Word doc here. Only because I believe you deserved an answer to the questions you raised.
Remember, my response was to your initial email to everyone [on CCCCC's list] about aerial hunting. [not about Palin]
Does Palin live according to any religious ethics or God? I haven't seen anything one way or another. Lots of talk, some upsetting contradictions, but that's common. I worry about her. She's a small fish netted and thrown into a big pond by the Republican Party for election reasons. Seems that McCain wanted Lieberman, but he was basically told who his partner would be. That's scary. For citizens, for all of us.
A few more weeks and what's real should start to show.
Thanks again,
Me
----------------
TEXT OF ATTACHMENT:
I cut and pasted my last email.
From: ME
Subject: Re: To my animal loving friends
To: CCCCC
Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 4:54 PM
Hey CCCCC, I love good didactic! And I apologize for not having given you the opportunity, but I noticed that nowhere in the messages you've sent do you say whether or not you support the aerial 'culling' of wolves. So - do you? If so, you have every right to your opinion - and if anyone tries to shut you up - call me and I'll be with you!
As for 'Soap-boxing' - you make it appear that you equate having an opinion with a radical version of 'soap-box' preaching. A little bit of a stretch. I do have the right to express my opinion. So do you. It has nothing to do with being “privileged.” If more people would actually engage in public discussion - AND disagreement - we might actually be better at finding common ground, convincing one or the other, or at finding workable solutions. So - I really do appreciate this!
I'm surprised you made the jump from this one issue - aerial hunting that is supported by more people than just Palin (with whom I would also disagree) - you make the assumption that I have some sort of overall opinion of Palin herself. You'll note that I haven't once mentioned Palin as a ‘target’ for this issue. Just her particular aerial hunting position. Nor have I made any claim to have any extensive knowledge about Palin. Nor have I tied her candidacy to my comments. More importantly, I haven't known Palin for 5 days. I (we) don't know her at all! We've only seen a tiny bit. The next month will tell.
What is known is that she did, in fact, hire a lobbyist to go after earmark money. It is known that she was in favor of the 'bridge'. It is a fact that after alot of uproar, she then said she was against the bridge. It is a fact that she did not return the money. That's all I know as documented fact.
Other issues-based opinions I may have, or may develop, are/will be based on the individual issues, researched fact and documented evidence. [not emotional reaction, or religious fervor.]
Now for $4.00/Gallon gas? I don't like it. It is likely going to go to $5.00 within 9 months and will probably wind up at $6.00 before 2010 - regardless of what the current administration does. That's not going to be fixed by opening ANWR or off-shore to drilling. Even the Bush Administration knows that. The US does not control all the factors.
Drilling in ANWR? Well - I have questions about that, and we'll leave nature, animals, the environment, global warming and all the tree hugging out of it for a minute. It is a fact that the oil companies have leases and drilling rights to almost 70 million acres of US land and they haven't begun drilling in any one of them yet. Why not? Why do they fight so hard for only ANWR and off-shore? Why not start drilling in what they've got? (Yes, I said drill!)
Why would Dick Cheney spend so much recent time in Georgia quietly meeting with oil company executives? A guess [my conjecture based on the trustworthiness he's shown over more than 30 years.] - Cheney's out of office soon, and so are Bush and several others who have very heavy interests in oil companies. It is a concern [for Americans] that their [the administration's] interests may be proding them to work out ways to keep the money flowing? Would they lie about that? Well, look at their records and decide for yourself. Why do the current administration and the current republican candidates never discuss the existing leases?
Why does approximately 90% of the oil we currently do bring up out of US ground go to China, India and the Middle East to be refined and sold back to us as gas? [by our oil companies]
Why is it that, when Administration officials, researchers and economists (private and government) say that additional drilling won't produce additional gas resources for 10 years, [if at all measurable] there is such a push by the administration and candidates for ANWR and off-shore drilling?
I believe that in 10 years, we will be buying hybrids and electric cars from Japan (and others who are way ahead of us) at a more feverish pace than we are even today. 10 years of drilling is 10 years of time (and money) we could be spending developing our own technology, taking the lead away from foreign countries, building manufacturing plants and making top-notch American vehicles.
But back to the aerial culling issue - You've said you hunt. I have friends who are avid hunters (rifle and bow.) They are adamant about the quality of hunting and would never use a plane just for the adrenaline of killing. They are proud of their skill and of the food they bring home to share with their families and friends. I'm guessing you have the same pride and value about your hunting. I am impressed by, and respect, the attitude they have for hunting. None of my hunting friends believe it [aerial hunting] should be used as quick population control or even that it is really hunting.
-------------
Population Control? A documented and acknowledged fact - the whole world has a population problem (too many humans.) Food supplies aren't sufficient already today. What do we do?
China has forced abortions to enforce the 'one child' law. What do we do?
Oil and coal fired Energy? Europe is a decade ahead of us in successful alternative electricity production. What do we do?
Texas is building its second wind farm (world's largest) because the first, in Plano, was so successful! What do we do?
Social security? Education? Our economy? Jobs? Abortion? Personal choice and rights and responsibilities? Government legislating religion, ethics and morality? The ethics of war for right versus war for money? The campaigns?
But those are different topics altogether. This was all about aerial hunting.
Thanks for responding CCCCC, and I really do appreciate the discussion. It adds to what I, my friends, neighbors and family talk about.
Me
(end of text)
--------------------------
10) Re: Last email
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 11:09 AM
From: CCCCC
To: ME
Hi ABCDE- I don't think in Sarah Palins wildest dreams she ever thought that she would be on a National stage. So let's assume that. If it is a valid assumption then every thing she has done up to this point has been because she thought it was the right thing to do. Including educing the wolf population in the most effective way. (Including cost effectiveness.) I do think she is a Christian woman and believes in God and tries to lead a God focused life.
Obama on the other hand has had a very very short time in politics. Never sponsored or wrote a bill in Congress. Very young very in experienced. I don't think that office is a training program. [the same arguments used against some of our greatest, most productive presidents. Lincoln, Eisenhower, Kennedy, etc.] Not given the issues we face. By the way if our enemies want Obama, not a good sign. [Which enemies]
Tell you what I think we know what we are getting to a large degree with McCain/Palin. The other guys are posters of public opinion, and the masses are asses. People are very wish washy. Most public opinion in this country today is lead by the media. The media is very biased. Very left wing. [Where did CCCCC's opinion come from? I venture quite probably the media presentations. It appears his negative view of the masses and the media only apply to Obama. Aren't they the same media and masses when we talk about McCain? There are many who would say the media is very right wing. Of course it would depend on which segments of the media you follow.]
I will make you a bet. If Obama and company get in, their entire cry will be that we can't change anything because we inherrited all these problems from Bush. Want to bet ? [Sorry sport, I don't 'gamble' with the future of my country just to prove how right I am. Especially not with a member of the 'public'... you remember them, the ones you called "wishy washy" ... "masses of asses."]
CCCCC
-------------------------------
This has to be the last in the email sequence about Aerial Hunting. It has been an interesting glimpse into the mind-set of a small part of the American electorate. I do have other things to do.
-------------------------------
Although the discussion on Aerial Hunting appears to have become one sided, I suggest that CCCCC is basically a decent person, a concerned citizen and has the best intentions. I would suggest that he, and all citizens, take the time (as I have and continue to do) to go to the candidate web sites, compare the positions on the election issues facing the next administration, look at the real qualifications and real national and international implications, and make their own decisions.
Aerial hunting? I'm still against it.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
There is a Cold .... for bikers
By Unknown Author… but clearly a biker.
There is cold, and there is cold on a motorcycle. Cold on a motorcycle is like being beaten with cold hammers while being kicked with cold boots; a bone bruising cold. The wind's big hands squeeze the heat out of my body and whisk it away; caught in a cold October rain, the drops don't even feel like water. They feel like shards of bone fallen from the skies of Hell to pock my face. I expect to arrive with my cheeks and forehead streaked with blood, but that's just an illusion, just the misery of nerves not designed for highway speeds.
Despite this, it's hard to give up my motorcycle in the Fall and I rush to get it on the road again… at every possible day above 20 degrees; Lapses of sanity like this are common among motorcyclists. When you let a motorcycle into your life, you're changed forever. The letters "MC" are stamped on your driver's license… right next to your sex and height as if 'motorcycle' was just another of your physical characteristics… or maybe mental condition.
But when warm weather finally does come around, all those cold snaps and rainstorms are paid in full because a motorcycle Summer is worth any price. A motorcycle is not just a two-wheeled car; the difference between driving a car and climbing onto your motorcycle is the difference between watching TV and actually living your life. We spend all our time sealed in boxes and cars are just rolling boxes that shuffle us languidly from home-box to work-box to store-box and back, the whole time entombed in stale air, temperature regulated and sound insulated and smelling of carpets.
On a motorcycle I know I'm alive. When I ride, even the familiar seems strange and glorious. The air has weight and substance as I push through it and its touch is as intimate as water to a swimmer. I feel the cool wells of air that pool under trees and the warm spokes of sunlight that fall through them. I can see everything in a sweeping 360 degrees, up, down and around… wider than Panavision and higher than IMAX and unrestricted by ceiling or dashboard.
Sometimes I even hear music. It's like hearing phantom telephones in the shower or false doorbells when vacuuming; the pattern-loving brain seeking signals in the noise, raises acoustic ghosts out of the wind's roar. But on a motorcycle, I hear whole songs: rock n' roll, dark orchestras, women's voices, all hidden in the air and released by speed.
At 30 miles an hour and up, smells become uncannily vivid. All the individual tree-smells and flower-smells and grass-smells flit by like chemical notes in a great plant symphony. Sometimes the smells evoke memories so strongly that it's as though the past hangs invisible in the air around me, wanting only he most casual of rumbling time machines to unlock it.
A ride on a Summer afternoon can border on the rapturous. The sheer volume and variety of stimuli is like a bath for my nervous system, an electrical massage for my brain, a systems check for my soul. It tears smiles out of me: a minute ago I was dour, depressed, apathetic, numb. But now, on two wheels, big, ragged, windy smiles flap against the side of my face, billowing out of me like air from a decompressing plane.
Transportation is only a secondary function. A motorcycle is a joy machine. It's a machine of wonders, a metal bird, a motorized prosthetic. It's like all dark, shiny and dirty and warm and cold lapping over each other. It's a conduit of grace, a catalyst for bonding the gritty and holy.
I still think of myself as a motorcycle amateur, but by now I've had a handful of bikes over a half dozen years and slept under my share of bridges. I wouldn't trade one second of either the good times or the misery. Learning to ride was one of the best things I've done.
Cars lie to us and tell us we're safe, powerful and in control. The air-conditioning fans murmur empty reassurances and whisper, "Sleep, Sleep." Motorcycles tell us a more useful truth: we are small and exposed… and probably moving too fast for our own good. But that's no reason not to enjoy every minute of the ride.
There is cold, and there is cold on a motorcycle. Cold on a motorcycle is like being beaten with cold hammers while being kicked with cold boots; a bone bruising cold. The wind's big hands squeeze the heat out of my body and whisk it away; caught in a cold October rain, the drops don't even feel like water. They feel like shards of bone fallen from the skies of Hell to pock my face. I expect to arrive with my cheeks and forehead streaked with blood, but that's just an illusion, just the misery of nerves not designed for highway speeds.
Despite this, it's hard to give up my motorcycle in the Fall and I rush to get it on the road again… at every possible day above 20 degrees; Lapses of sanity like this are common among motorcyclists. When you let a motorcycle into your life, you're changed forever. The letters "MC" are stamped on your driver's license… right next to your sex and height as if 'motorcycle' was just another of your physical characteristics… or maybe mental condition.
But when warm weather finally does come around, all those cold snaps and rainstorms are paid in full because a motorcycle Summer is worth any price. A motorcycle is not just a two-wheeled car; the difference between driving a car and climbing onto your motorcycle is the difference between watching TV and actually living your life. We spend all our time sealed in boxes and cars are just rolling boxes that shuffle us languidly from home-box to work-box to store-box and back, the whole time entombed in stale air, temperature regulated and sound insulated and smelling of carpets.
On a motorcycle I know I'm alive. When I ride, even the familiar seems strange and glorious. The air has weight and substance as I push through it and its touch is as intimate as water to a swimmer. I feel the cool wells of air that pool under trees and the warm spokes of sunlight that fall through them. I can see everything in a sweeping 360 degrees, up, down and around… wider than Panavision and higher than IMAX and unrestricted by ceiling or dashboard.
Sometimes I even hear music. It's like hearing phantom telephones in the shower or false doorbells when vacuuming; the pattern-loving brain seeking signals in the noise, raises acoustic ghosts out of the wind's roar. But on a motorcycle, I hear whole songs: rock n' roll, dark orchestras, women's voices, all hidden in the air and released by speed.
At 30 miles an hour and up, smells become uncannily vivid. All the individual tree-smells and flower-smells and grass-smells flit by like chemical notes in a great plant symphony. Sometimes the smells evoke memories so strongly that it's as though the past hangs invisible in the air around me, wanting only he most casual of rumbling time machines to unlock it.
A ride on a Summer afternoon can border on the rapturous. The sheer volume and variety of stimuli is like a bath for my nervous system, an electrical massage for my brain, a systems check for my soul. It tears smiles out of me: a minute ago I was dour, depressed, apathetic, numb. But now, on two wheels, big, ragged, windy smiles flap against the side of my face, billowing out of me like air from a decompressing plane.
Transportation is only a secondary function. A motorcycle is a joy machine. It's a machine of wonders, a metal bird, a motorized prosthetic. It's like all dark, shiny and dirty and warm and cold lapping over each other. It's a conduit of grace, a catalyst for bonding the gritty and holy.
I still think of myself as a motorcycle amateur, but by now I've had a handful of bikes over a half dozen years and slept under my share of bridges. I wouldn't trade one second of either the good times or the misery. Learning to ride was one of the best things I've done.
Cars lie to us and tell us we're safe, powerful and in control. The air-conditioning fans murmur empty reassurances and whisper, "Sleep, Sleep." Motorcycles tell us a more useful truth: we are small and exposed… and probably moving too fast for our own good. But that's no reason not to enjoy every minute of the ride.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Politically Correct - or Incorrect?
So recently I was asked to say something that is politically incorrect. I've thought about it quite a bit and I'm finally getting around to putting it down here.
First of all:
(An open note to Craig Ferguson - The Late, Late Show - CBS)
Dear Craig,
First let me say that I find your late night show more entertaining (with some periodic relevance) than almost any program of its genre out there. It's refreshing to be faced with a limited amount of exposure to the 'face-time seekers' that often pretend to stardom. Your short format tends to bring out a little of the more honestly human personalities these people (seem to) actually possess.
Amazingly, I haven't yet noticed any incident of 'THE HOST' trying to shame or degrade 'THE GUEST.' It's nice to see a program that is not totally dependent on shock, innuendo or excessive sexual smirking. (Would you believe that Jay Leno used to be a comedian?)
A very hearty Welcome to you as a new citizen of the USA. Since you've had some time to enjoy this new honor, you are now ready to face the horrible truth. Be prepared.
You should know that 'Brothers and Sisters', Sex and the City', 'Dr. Phil', 'Tyra Banks', 'Oprah', 'Maury Povich', 'Montel Williams', 'Desperate Housewives', 'American Idol', 'So You Think You can Dance', 'Dancing With the Stars', 'The Bachelor', 'Bachelorette', 'Survivor', 'Big Brother', 'Jerry Springer', 'The Next Top Model', 'Regis and Kelly', 'Mike and Juliette', (let me take a breath here.........) - 'Judge Judy', 'Judge Mathis', 'Judge Lopez', 'Judge Hatchett', 'Divorce Court', 'The People's Court', 'Judge Alex', 'Cristina's Court', 'Steve Wilkos', 'American Gladiator', 'Reno 911', 'The Simpsons', 'South Park', 'Family Guy', 'King of the Hill', 'Comics Unleashed', 'Swapping Wives', 'Vacation Swap', 'TMZ', 'Extra', 'Entertainment Tonight', 'Access Hollywood', 'CSI (in every available city!)', 'Cold Case', 'The Unit', 'Law and Order', '24', '911', 'Cops', 'Without a Trace' (and several other real or 'Socially relevant' shows I apologize for having left off the list) are all going to be around for a while. Sorry, Craig.
Those are only from Network TV. I disconnected cable a year ago, so I can't give you a list from that jungle. Have I seen these? At least one episode of each (as long as I could stomach it!) They wouldn't last long as contestants on the Gong Show.
As an added note, IPod, Wii, Blackberry, Blue Tooth, Game Boy, PS2, Text Messaging, You Tube, My Space and a few other technical Marvels are also going to be around for a while.
You shouldn't be surprised if therefore, you encounter an increasing number of 'citizens' who can't read, write, make change, make decisions, stand up for their identities (if they have one left), develop their own ethical standards, distinguish between themselves as 'persons' and themselves as 'commodities', speak clearly or have an opinion or preference that they have actually developed on their own.
The GOOD news?
I'm finding that there are alot of people (of various ages) who are beginning to tire of this stuff. More and more are asking: "What's the point?" Some are asking: "Why is everything I pick up in the store marked made in China, made in Mexico, made in Pakistan"? The questions are beginning to grow from these.
Perhaps more importantly (still GOOD news), we are hearing: "What's happening to our country? How do we find our very own, personal values? How come our kids are so confused about rights and responsibilities? Who's in charge? Who do we vote for? Who do we trust? These have become very American questions.
-and so- The words Politically Incorrect again come to mind.
When I hear those words, I think of what they really mean and I think of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, Rove, Libby, Rice, Hadley, Bremer, Silberman, Gingrich and a continuing list of quiet 'Who's-Who' names left over from the imperial Nixon years. Politically incorrect.
Politic is first and foremost 'of the people.' These politicians are not. In a very few decades, they have determined that Government is something to be kept away from the people. We've been buying it.
The 'Media' keeps telling us that we'll have only a well-financed Democrat or Republican to choose from. What they don't remind us (or you, as a new citizen) about, is that we have the legal right to 'write in' a name on our ballots.
Now most people I've spoken with agree that it would be neat to do, but they have also been convinced that it wouldn't make any difference. Some of them even joke about it. "Yeah, we can put Donald Duck down for President! Ha Ha. They can't make him look any more ridiculous than they do with legitimate alternatives," so let's just give in to the names they give us. I may be wrong, but that defeatist apathy is possibly how we got the Administration we currently have.
So - Politically Correct?
What if alot of people actually took the "American Initiative" and wrote in a name. One they believed in? One that represented real ideas and a commitment to action? They might not win. However, if the number of 'write-ins' were significant enough, might our 'leaders' be compelled to take notice? It would, after all, be both legal and peaceful.
What if alot of people decided that the companies they bought stock from are not being managed as much as being 'manipulated' for the personal wealth of their executives? (Sounds like some of our current political leaders!)
Free enterprise doesn't exist if the rules (and the outcome) are pre-determined. Democracy doesn't exist without the participation of the people.
The 'Politically Incorrect' part of it all seems to be that too many citizens (of this country And of the world) are getting stuck on the idea that "I don't really matter." To that, I suggest that we have an option. We can spend our lives going after what we really want - or just get old.
So Craig. Keep your show as straight-up, diverse and entertaining as it's been. And please feel free to acknowledge the fact that you've decided to become a part of the entity described by those incredibly gutsy people (some rich and influential) of the 1700's. Welcome to America. You're free to have more impact than you might believe.
With Regards,
Robert
First of all:
(An open note to Craig Ferguson - The Late, Late Show - CBS)
Dear Craig,
First let me say that I find your late night show more entertaining (with some periodic relevance) than almost any program of its genre out there. It's refreshing to be faced with a limited amount of exposure to the 'face-time seekers' that often pretend to stardom. Your short format tends to bring out a little of the more honestly human personalities these people (seem to) actually possess.
Amazingly, I haven't yet noticed any incident of 'THE HOST' trying to shame or degrade 'THE GUEST.' It's nice to see a program that is not totally dependent on shock, innuendo or excessive sexual smirking. (Would you believe that Jay Leno used to be a comedian?)
A very hearty Welcome to you as a new citizen of the USA. Since you've had some time to enjoy this new honor, you are now ready to face the horrible truth. Be prepared.
You should know that 'Brothers and Sisters', Sex and the City', 'Dr. Phil', 'Tyra Banks', 'Oprah', 'Maury Povich', 'Montel Williams', 'Desperate Housewives', 'American Idol', 'So You Think You can Dance', 'Dancing With the Stars', 'The Bachelor', 'Bachelorette', 'Survivor', 'Big Brother', 'Jerry Springer', 'The Next Top Model', 'Regis and Kelly', 'Mike and Juliette', (let me take a breath here.........) - 'Judge Judy', 'Judge Mathis', 'Judge Lopez', 'Judge Hatchett', 'Divorce Court', 'The People's Court', 'Judge Alex', 'Cristina's Court', 'Steve Wilkos', 'American Gladiator', 'Reno 911', 'The Simpsons', 'South Park', 'Family Guy', 'King of the Hill', 'Comics Unleashed', 'Swapping Wives', 'Vacation Swap', 'TMZ', 'Extra', 'Entertainment Tonight', 'Access Hollywood', 'CSI (in every available city!)', 'Cold Case', 'The Unit', 'Law and Order', '24', '911', 'Cops', 'Without a Trace' (and several other real or 'Socially relevant' shows I apologize for having left off the list) are all going to be around for a while. Sorry, Craig.
Those are only from Network TV. I disconnected cable a year ago, so I can't give you a list from that jungle. Have I seen these? At least one episode of each (as long as I could stomach it!) They wouldn't last long as contestants on the Gong Show.
As an added note, IPod, Wii, Blackberry, Blue Tooth, Game Boy, PS2, Text Messaging, You Tube, My Space and a few other technical Marvels are also going to be around for a while.
You shouldn't be surprised if therefore, you encounter an increasing number of 'citizens' who can't read, write, make change, make decisions, stand up for their identities (if they have one left), develop their own ethical standards, distinguish between themselves as 'persons' and themselves as 'commodities', speak clearly or have an opinion or preference that they have actually developed on their own.
The GOOD news?
I'm finding that there are alot of people (of various ages) who are beginning to tire of this stuff. More and more are asking: "What's the point?" Some are asking: "Why is everything I pick up in the store marked made in China, made in Mexico, made in Pakistan"? The questions are beginning to grow from these.
Perhaps more importantly (still GOOD news), we are hearing: "What's happening to our country? How do we find our very own, personal values? How come our kids are so confused about rights and responsibilities? Who's in charge? Who do we vote for? Who do we trust? These have become very American questions.
-and so- The words Politically Incorrect again come to mind.
When I hear those words, I think of what they really mean and I think of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, Rove, Libby, Rice, Hadley, Bremer, Silberman, Gingrich and a continuing list of quiet 'Who's-Who' names left over from the imperial Nixon years. Politically incorrect.
Politic is first and foremost 'of the people.' These politicians are not. In a very few decades, they have determined that Government is something to be kept away from the people. We've been buying it.
The 'Media' keeps telling us that we'll have only a well-financed Democrat or Republican to choose from. What they don't remind us (or you, as a new citizen) about, is that we have the legal right to 'write in' a name on our ballots.
Now most people I've spoken with agree that it would be neat to do, but they have also been convinced that it wouldn't make any difference. Some of them even joke about it. "Yeah, we can put Donald Duck down for President! Ha Ha. They can't make him look any more ridiculous than they do with legitimate alternatives," so let's just give in to the names they give us. I may be wrong, but that defeatist apathy is possibly how we got the Administration we currently have.
So - Politically Correct?
What if alot of people actually took the "American Initiative" and wrote in a name. One they believed in? One that represented real ideas and a commitment to action? They might not win. However, if the number of 'write-ins' were significant enough, might our 'leaders' be compelled to take notice? It would, after all, be both legal and peaceful.
What if alot of people decided that the companies they bought stock from are not being managed as much as being 'manipulated' for the personal wealth of their executives? (Sounds like some of our current political leaders!)
Free enterprise doesn't exist if the rules (and the outcome) are pre-determined. Democracy doesn't exist without the participation of the people.
The 'Politically Incorrect' part of it all seems to be that too many citizens (of this country And of the world) are getting stuck on the idea that "I don't really matter." To that, I suggest that we have an option. We can spend our lives going after what we really want - or just get old.
So Craig. Keep your show as straight-up, diverse and entertaining as it's been. And please feel free to acknowledge the fact that you've decided to become a part of the entity described by those incredibly gutsy people (some rich and influential) of the 1700's. Welcome to America. You're free to have more impact than you might believe.
With Regards,
Robert
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Best Quotes and sayings!
Milton Berle once joked "youth is the first 50 years of your life, and the first 19 of everybody else's!"
Marshall McCluhan - I don't necessarily agree with everything I say.
? - a little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men.
? - If not me, then who? If not now, then when?
? - Grapes want to become wine.
Robert Fripp (King Crimson) - Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.
George Elliot - You are Never too old to be what you might have been!
John Stuart Mill- 'On Liberty' 1859 --- "Precisely because the tyranny of Opinion is such as to make eccentricity a reproach, it is desirable, in order to break through that tyranny, that people should be eccentric.
Eccentricity has always abounded when and where strength of character has abounded: and the amount of eccentricity in a society has generally been proportional to the amount of genious, mental vigor and moral courage it contained.
That so few dare to be eccentric marks a chief danger of our time."
Miles Davis - Don't play what's there. Play what's not there.
Me - Democracy doesn't exist if the people are excluded from participating.
? - If the rules and outcomes of Free Enterprise are pre-determined, it isn't Free Enterprise.
? - the trouble is that you think you have time.
Carl Jung - Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakes.
? - People with opinions just go around bothering each other.
Picasso - The important thing is to DO, and nothing else; be what it may.
Michael de Montaigne - No one is injured, but by himself.
William Stafford - I embrace emerging experience. I participate in discovery. I am a butterfly. I am not a butterfly collector.
Marshall McCluhan - I don't necessarily agree with everything I say.
? - a little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men.
? - If not me, then who? If not now, then when?
? - Grapes want to become wine.
Robert Fripp (King Crimson) - Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.
George Elliot - You are Never too old to be what you might have been!
John Stuart Mill- 'On Liberty' 1859 --- "Precisely because the tyranny of Opinion is such as to make eccentricity a reproach, it is desirable, in order to break through that tyranny, that people should be eccentric.
Eccentricity has always abounded when and where strength of character has abounded: and the amount of eccentricity in a society has generally been proportional to the amount of genious, mental vigor and moral courage it contained.
That so few dare to be eccentric marks a chief danger of our time."
Miles Davis - Don't play what's there. Play what's not there.
Me - Democracy doesn't exist if the people are excluded from participating.
? - If the rules and outcomes of Free Enterprise are pre-determined, it isn't Free Enterprise.
? - the trouble is that you think you have time.
Carl Jung - Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakes.
? - People with opinions just go around bothering each other.
Picasso - The important thing is to DO, and nothing else; be what it may.
Michael de Montaigne - No one is injured, but by himself.
William Stafford - I embrace emerging experience. I participate in discovery. I am a butterfly. I am not a butterfly collector.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Digital 'Music'?
Digital – Good stuff?
A Digit – (noun) sometimes used to refer to a finger.
A Finger – (noun) What some people use to poke you in the eye.
What’s “digital” done for/to music? It created a revolution in what can be done in a studio…and with instruments. Thanks Mr. MOOG! ...(that was 30 some years ago.)
What else? Lately?
Well, people now spend more money on devices to play music than on the music itself! As a matter of fact, that’s become the definition of how great their awareness of music is… “My IPOD holds 11,000 songs!”
Did you know that a local furniture retailer will give you a 3GB IPOD NANO for every purchase over $300.00.
So what does all this have to do with music? (or even furniture!) Nothing. Think about it.
“Hey, I can listen to all my songs in class or at work or even while I’m driving!”
What about listening to a live band at a concert, or even a club? …“Costs too much.”
Oh. Don’t you like to dance or maybe meet people in the real world? …“Nah. Me and my friends all have IPODs.”
Do you ever go out? Go on dates? …“Yeah, we get together and hang out and we can listen to all the music we want!”
What do you listen to? …“Whatever is on our IPODs.”
Why? …“’Cause it’s cool.”
What’s cool about it? …“I don’t know, we just like it.”
What about the bands? The musicians? …“They’re ok. I don’t know. I saw some of ‘em on YouTube. They looked cool.”
What about when you do go out? Who are your favorite bands? …“Um, the ones that play what’s on my IPOD and act like the bands on YouTube!”
What does that have to do with the music? …“I don’t know. Nothing much, but I have 2,784 songs on my IPOD!”
Nothing. Think about it.
A Digit – (noun) sometimes used to refer to a finger.
A Finger – (noun) What some people use to poke you in the eye.
What’s “digital” done for/to music? It created a revolution in what can be done in a studio…and with instruments. Thanks Mr. MOOG! ...(that was 30 some years ago.)
What else? Lately?
Well, people now spend more money on devices to play music than on the music itself! As a matter of fact, that’s become the definition of how great their awareness of music is… “My IPOD holds 11,000 songs!”
Did you know that a local furniture retailer will give you a 3GB IPOD NANO for every purchase over $300.00.
So what does all this have to do with music? (or even furniture!) Nothing. Think about it.
“Hey, I can listen to all my songs in class or at work or even while I’m driving!”
What about listening to a live band at a concert, or even a club? …“Costs too much.”
Oh. Don’t you like to dance or maybe meet people in the real world? …“Nah. Me and my friends all have IPODs.”
Do you ever go out? Go on dates? …“Yeah, we get together and hang out and we can listen to all the music we want!”
What do you listen to? …“Whatever is on our IPODs.”
Why? …“’Cause it’s cool.”
What’s cool about it? …“I don’t know, we just like it.”
What about the bands? The musicians? …“They’re ok. I don’t know. I saw some of ‘em on YouTube. They looked cool.”
What about when you do go out? Who are your favorite bands? …“Um, the ones that play what’s on my IPOD and act like the bands on YouTube!”
What does that have to do with the music? …“I don’t know. Nothing much, but I have 2,784 songs on my IPOD!”
Nothing. Think about it.
When "Digital" becomes the definition of how we interact with the arts, maybe we lose more than we gain. Especially in music, its appreciation includes social interaction, sharing the experience with the 'audience' as well as the musicians. Even though the 'event' (going to listen to music) may be transient, the impact is something that stays with us and contributes to our growth, tastes, appreciation and ability to make our own judgements of quality. We get to share the event with people around us and strengthen our own socialization. Without that interactive participation, music itself becomes just another transient, even meaningless one-shot blink in the day.
An added potential downside is that the number of people who have no musical or artistic training, are randomly manipulating music digitally and then call themselves artists. Their new criteria for the label? I can work a computer.
Nothing. Think about it.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Governor Spitzer/George Bush - Unfinished business of the 60's.
So Spitzer has been forced to resign. Good.
Now... since this was all about ethical and moral 'crimes', haven't we forgotten a few others?
Let's see - George Bush, Dick Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, Ken Lay, "Scooter", Condeleeza Rice and a few dozen others in the current administration who are proved to have lied to the Congress and the American Citizenry about the Middle East fiasco. All done for personal agrandizement, Presidential Imperialism and free money for their cronies. Why are they allowed to continue in their positions? Wasn't Watergate about this same kind of thing? Did we forget?
Where are the calls for impeachment? Well here's one... From me. Impeach these unethical, immoral narcissist now - before we, as a nation, lose our grip on reality, sanity and ANY sort of standing as a world participant!
What the heck happened? many of them are even people of my own generation - The volatile and politically active 60's! What happened? It looks like these people and their actions are - perhaps - the "Unfinished Business of Our Generation!"
Now... since this was all about ethical and moral 'crimes', haven't we forgotten a few others?
Let's see - George Bush, Dick Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, Ken Lay, "Scooter", Condeleeza Rice and a few dozen others in the current administration who are proved to have lied to the Congress and the American Citizenry about the Middle East fiasco. All done for personal agrandizement, Presidential Imperialism and free money for their cronies. Why are they allowed to continue in their positions? Wasn't Watergate about this same kind of thing? Did we forget?
Where are the calls for impeachment? Well here's one... From me. Impeach these unethical, immoral narcissist now - before we, as a nation, lose our grip on reality, sanity and ANY sort of standing as a world participant!
What the heck happened? many of them are even people of my own generation - The volatile and politically active 60's! What happened? It looks like these people and their actions are - perhaps - the "Unfinished Business of Our Generation!"
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Election Media - Email Alarms
The following email was forwarded to me on January 20, 2008. It represented the kind of one-sided, non-contextual and questionable presentation of ‘Alarm' that has the tendency to undermine the clarity of thought and open examination of fact and makes it easier for radical ‘Right-Thinkers’ (like Bin Laden, Hussein, Hitler and many in our current administration) take power over a panicked nation. You'll note the email html codes that indicate much of the content was copied from yet another source. most of the codes have been cleaned out for clarity.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
God BlessAmerica>
I CHECKED IT OUT AND THIS IS A FACT.... In view of Oprah's recent campaigning,this bears repeating: Who is Barack Hussien Obama? Very interesting and something that should be considered in your choice. If you do not ever forward anything else,please forward this to all your contacts...this is very scary to think of what lies ahead of us here in our own United States...better heed this and pray about it and shareit. We checked this out on "snopes.com
>snopes.com/%3e> Probable U. S. presidential candidate,Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama,Sr., a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a whiteATHEIST from Wichita, Kansas. Obama's parents met at the Hawaii.When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced. Hi s father returned to Kenya.His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia.? When Obama was 6 years old, the familyrelocate to
>
Indonesia.Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakartaty.He also spent two years in a Catholic school. Obama takes great care to conceal the factthat he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, "He was once aMuslim, but that he also attended Catholic school." Obama's political handlers are attemptingto make it appear that that he is not a radical. Obama's introduction to Islam came via hisfather, and that this influence was temporary at best.
> In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over hisson's education. Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama'smother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in aWahabi school in Jakarta. Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that isfollowed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against thewestern world. Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN whenseeking major public office in the United States, BarackHussein Obama has joined the United Church ofChrist in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background. ALSO, keep in mindthat when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, butinstead the Koran. Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recitethe Pledge of Allegiance nor will he show any reverence for our flag. Whileothers place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to theflag and slouches. Let us all remain alert concerning Obama'sexpected presidential candidacy. The Muslims have said they plan ondestroying the USfrom the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level -through the President of the United States,one of their own!!!! Please forward to everyone you know. Wouldyou want this man leading our country?...... NOT ME!!! e='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:verdana'>>
>
>
> face=Arial>No virus found inthis incoming message.Checked
> by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database:
> 269.17.13/1211 - Release Date: 1/6/200811:57 AM
> .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
I had to respond with the following:
====================================================
It's always good to get the best, clearest information and I appreciate being informed. But anytime someone insists that they have the "CHECKED-OUT TRUTH," I get suspicious. We usually find that such people have 'a part of the
truth', often either in or out of context.
We always find that claims of the "TRUTH" are from people, organizations or groups who have their own agenda. That agenda often includes spreading their 'Truth' to prove to everyone just how RIGHT they are.
Me? I'm open to Obama (or anyone else) being an absolute A..Hole. But I'm also open to listening to more than one person's opinion... and then checking it out - for REAL.
Still, a large number of people will simply believe what they're told if it's convenient or if it supports their existing opinions (makes them 'RIGHT.')
So the following comes from an Associated Press story
January 21, 2008 --
.... He (Obama) also has been stepping up his effort to correct the misconception that he is a Muslim, now that the presidential campaign has hit the U.S. Bible Belt in the South.
"I've been to the same church — the same Christian church — for almost 20 years," Obama said at a South Carolina rally. "I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible. Whenever I'm in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America."
An e-mail chain has suggested he is hiding his Islamic roots. It says he was sworn into the Senate on the Quran and turns his back on the flag during the pledge.
………………………………………………………………
So who's lying? Be careful what you spread.
===============================================================
See the comments that follow this.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
God BlessAmerica>
I CHECKED IT OUT AND THIS IS A FACT.... In view of Oprah's recent campaigning,this bears repeating: Who is Barack Hussien Obama? Very interesting and something that should be considered in your choice. If you do not ever forward anything else,please forward this to all your contacts...this is very scary to think of what lies ahead of us here in our own United States...better heed this and pray about it and shareit. We checked this out on "snopes.com
>snopes.com/%3e> Probable U. S. presidential candidate,Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama,Sr., a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a whiteATHEIST from Wichita, Kansas. Obama's parents met at the Hawaii.When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced. Hi s father returned to Kenya.His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia.? When Obama was 6 years old, the familyrelocate to
>
Indonesia.Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakartaty.He also spent two years in a Catholic school. Obama takes great care to conceal the factthat he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, "He was once aMuslim, but that he also attended Catholic school." Obama's political handlers are attemptingto make it appear that that he is not a radical. Obama's introduction to Islam came via hisfather, and that this influence was temporary at best.
> In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over hisson's education. Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama'smother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in aWahabi school in Jakarta. Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that isfollowed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against thewestern world. Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN whenseeking major public office in the United States, BarackHussein Obama has joined the United Church ofChrist in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background. ALSO, keep in mindthat when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, butinstead the Koran. Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recitethe Pledge of Allegiance nor will he show any reverence for our flag. Whileothers place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to theflag and slouches. Let us all remain alert concerning Obama'sexpected presidential candidacy. The Muslims have said they plan ondestroying the USfrom the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level -through the President of the United States,one of their own!!!! Please forward to everyone you know. Wouldyou want this man leading our country?...... NOT ME!!! e='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:verdana'>>
>
>
> face=Arial>No virus found inthis incoming message.Checked
> by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database:
> 269.17.13/1211 - Release Date: 1/6/200811:57 AM
> .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
I had to respond with the following:
====================================================
It's always good to get the best, clearest information and I appreciate being informed. But anytime someone insists that they have the "CHECKED-OUT TRUTH," I get suspicious. We usually find that such people have 'a part of the
truth', often either in or out of context.
We always find that claims of the "TRUTH" are from people, organizations or groups who have their own agenda. That agenda often includes spreading their 'Truth' to prove to everyone just how RIGHT they are.
Me? I'm open to Obama (or anyone else) being an absolute A..Hole. But I'm also open to listening to more than one person's opinion... and then checking it out - for REAL.
Still, a large number of people will simply believe what they're told if it's convenient or if it supports their existing opinions (makes them 'RIGHT.')
So the following comes from an Associated Press story
January 21, 2008 --
.... He (Obama) also has been stepping up his effort to correct the misconception that he is a Muslim, now that the presidential campaign has hit the U.S. Bible Belt in the South.
"I've been to the same church — the same Christian church — for almost 20 years," Obama said at a South Carolina rally. "I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible. Whenever I'm in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America."
An e-mail chain has suggested he is hiding his Islamic roots. It says he was sworn into the Senate on the Quran and turns his back on the flag during the pledge.
………………………………………………………………
So who's lying? Be careful what you spread.
===============================================================
See the comments that follow this.
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