The Economies of Reality and Convenience

One of the great realities in life today is the vast array of news and commentary sources available at the flip of a switch. I personally have a great thirst for knowledge. While my focus may at times be somewhat limited, my drive time finds me typically tuned to ‘talk radio’ and the computer both sitting in front of me during my work-day and strapped to my hip in the form of a ‘Blackberry’ brings me news bulletins one after another. The news blurbs come from various sources, and direct commentary from others. One such web site I go to for deeper insight is called Slate. (http://www.slate.com/)

For those of you familiar with Slate, its scope, buttons and links are wide ranging indeed.

My connection with this site started at about the time of its inception in the late 90s. I had the great fortune to be 1 of 4 individuals who shared an airport shuttle between Denver and Vail in December 1995 or 1996. (No the picture here is not taken in December, but you I think you get the idea!) One of the other riders on the shuttle was an man/entrepreneur about my age who was just getting (or had just gotten) Slate off the ground. We talked continuously the whole way up and over the pass and by the time we parted, I was totally enthralled with his dream. Since that day, I’ve read and commented often. In 1999 I was even contacted by the editorial staff once for permission to re-publish one of my longer commentaries on the seeming inability for common men and women to have a real effect on the political process. (One of the crosses I continually bear!)

This is a rather lengthy introduction to the source of the article that follows.

I saw it on my screen as part of the "Slatest Morning Edition" today, but it apparently was originally published in The Washington Post on November 30, 2010. I encourage you to read this and ponder it a bit. You may also want to read some of the comments posted on the Slate Site. I find them well structured and very though provoking indeed. They in sum tend to support my thoughts wherein I find the reality of our country’s current economic woes and the arguments of the Spin-Miesters/Politicos to be frustratingly incongruent. Selective use of facts and collective fear mongering continually ignores what I find the most frightening and dangerous element of our society… the ever-widening gap between the haves and have-nots! Check out some of Rachel Maddow’s info on this subject. (Yes, she’s probably considered a bit to the Left, but all in all I believe her to be quite solid factually.) Taken separately or together, they may give you a little pause too.

Best… JDS

TARP Wasn't Such a Bad Deal After All

Conventional wisdom has it that government programs achieve less and cost more than they are intended to, but in a startling report released Monday, the Congressional Budget Office announced that the 2008 bailout has cost billions less than expected. Congress originally authorized a $700 billion expenditure when it voted for the Troubled Assets Relief Program two years ago, but the CBO says it turns out TARP is going to cost taxpayers "a mere $25 billion." In other words, "the equivalent of less than six months of emergency jobless benefits" (which expire Tuesday night, by the way). TARP has required an outlay of $389 billion, and there's another $44 billion waiting to be distributed, but $212 billion has already been paid back by banks like Citigroup and Bank of America. Some of those banks have turned a profit for TARP, and the government has made billions from the IPO of auto companies it took over in 2008. "It was not apparent when the TARP was created two years ago that the cost would turn out to be this low," the CBO report says. But "because the financial system stabilized and then improved, the amount of funds used by the TARP was well below the $700 billion initially authorized, and the outcomes of most transactions made through TARP were favorable for the federal government."

Read original story in The Washington Post Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010

Half Truths and the Press / Nov 3, 2010

I found myself entering a comment to a MSNBC Article on the internet today. I just couldn’t help but be dismayed by the manner in which the article was titled.

I feel there is a great alarm in the universal force here. I believe the chasm between the haves and the have nots is now assured of widening. My real concern and disappointment is that most voters are not even cognizant of this reality.

It's not surprising though. A large majority of people simply want to be told what to think and do, and not have to think for themselves. Those that have the cash can say whatever they like and be assured that people will see it in the press, regardless of what they say. The press however should know better! The title of the article I read is a prime example of half-truths that are thrust before the lemmings repeatedly. I believe the title was approximately "Americans Say No to Obama's Agenda!" The half-truth... Yes, SOME Americans do feel that way... BUT OTHERS don't. And only a small percentage of American vote! So why can't the press honestly elaborate in print on the source of these assertions. Who was questioned... A lemmings just coming out of a Red State voting booth or free thinkers? John Stewart was bludgeoned by the press for voicing the truth last Saturday. I can only hope that somewhere in the future those masses of people that can't see this will regain their eyesight and gain an understanding of what's going on.”

E-Mail from a Narrow Mind / November 2, 2010

The old tone sounded in my ear as I was typing away at work today and once again the ghostly Outlook Troubadour on my left monitor announced the arrival of something of importance. I’m never sure what’s coming, but because I work a lot away from home, the computer is my lifeline, and almost everything is allowed to follow me. Also, as I get older I’ve developed an urge to maintain and/or regain contact with those from my past, so the volume of my messages has increased a bit. As that mail comes to me, some old souls make me smile, and others have the opposite effect. I’m truly despaired at the development or lack thereof of one such Regainee. The content of his latest message left me shaking my head once more. I usually delete these things and seldom if ever respond, although I do read them. I firmly believe that you cannot (or at least should not) hold an opinion if you’re not willing to look at and consider all sides of an issue. I guess I also believe I’ve somehow morphed out of the “ME” realm of existence and find myself in some sort of universal reflective place. I firmly believe this is the correct place to be. His latest mailing is the impetus for this addition to my Blog. Although I hesitate to continue the trajectory of messages such as the one he sent, I understand that you can’t truly appreciate my thoughts without it, so with certain reservations, but total justification, you’ll first be greeted by the words he shot forth. (Rest assured, these were not of his own creation, and I haven’t changed anything!)

MUSLIM BELIEF

This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is A well-known leader in prison ministry. The man who walks With God always gets to his destination.. If you Have a pulse you have a purpose.

The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion Per capita in the United States , especially in the Minority races!!!

Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison Security clearance. During the training session there was a Presentation by three speakers representing the Roman
Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each Of their beliefs.

I was particularly interested in what the Islamic
Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the Basics of Islam, complete with a video.

After the presentations, time was provided for
Questions and answers.

When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked: 'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, But I understand that most Imams and clerics if Islam have Declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of The world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a Command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in Heaven.... If that's the case, can you give me the
Definition of an infidel?'
There was no disagreement with my statements and, Without hesitation, he replied, 'Non-believers!'

I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this
Straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to Kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can Have a place in heaven Is that correct?'

The expression on his face changed from one of
Authority and command to that of a little boy who had just Been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.'

He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'

I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem
Trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics To kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a Place in heaven!'

The Imam was speechless!

I continued, 'I also have problem with being your Friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your Followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question: Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to Kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus Who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven And He wants you to be there with me?'

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his Head in shame. Needless to say, the organizers and/or Promoters of the Diversification' training seminar
Were not happy with Rick's way of dealing with the Islamic Imam , and exposing the truth about the Muslims' beliefs.

In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in The U.S. To elect the President! Everyone in the U.S should be required to read this, but with
ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized, Unless each of us send it on!
This is your chance to make a difference...

FOR GODS' SAKE! SEND THIS ON!


I couldn't help myself when I read this... I had to reply! So without further adieu, my response.

"Before you inhale all that is suggested here without thinking about what you’re smoking, I encourage you to look at the entirety of these assertion and the uni-directional charges being made.

From my understanding, a problem that Islam faces is that there is no governing body and thus virtually any and all declarations and assertions regarding the meaning of the Koran or Qur’an come from the Imam or leader of each Mosque. This allows multiple readings, interpretations and attributions of ‘what is written’ ranging from wonderful, loving and caring followers all the way to the most horrible terrorist(s) imaginable. WOW! This is frightening!

But wait!!! It seems to me various Catholic groupings (I’m sorry but I’ve forgotten the various levels of Catholic organization I learned back in my years of formal education) and countless Protestant Churches have all kinds of ways of interpreting the Bible. As a matter of fact these ‘Churches’ pop up at-will with beliefs that range from loving and caring followers all the way to rabid activists that promote the execution of followers of Islam and Doctors that obey the law and help women in need. They extol the virtues of their own beliefs and chastise anyone who disagrees or thinks otherwise. The Holy Wars way back when involved these ‘Holier-Than-Thou’ Christians that went over to conquer the lands of Islam… it wasn’t the other way around. I think even Timothy McVeigh was considered a loyal member of his church. Scott Roeder following the dictations of Randal Terry of Operation Rescue, another staunch Christian. If you want to see an interesting documentary, search the net for “The Assassination of Dr. Tiller”, Parts 1, 2 and 3. No one wins in a survival of the fittest. We have to work together to eliminate radicalism.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a supporter of radicalism in any way, but belief can’t be 1-sided! The only problem with the assertion of this message is that it labels an entire religion. We on the other hand split our religion into countless Churches. This tends to sanitize the overall perception of Christianity, but it doesn’t remove the reality of what goes on."

"Your Inbox is Full!"

It seems at least a couple of times a day, the cluttered computer screen before me is interrupted by a stern warning from that tiny creature that lurks within our company's network, announcing... "Your Inbox is Full!" After which, I have to forget about what I'm doing at that moment, switch to my mail program and try and figure out who's missiles are important and who's are not.

I don't know if you have this same problem, but it really gets old, and it always seems to bother me more than it should. At the same time, I think it's merely a representation of something that plagues more and more of society (if not most) on a daily basis. While a friend and I walked back to our office today after lunch today, we spoke about a number of work related things and he shared with me concern he has had over recent months that really bothers him. He was/is perplexed by the fact he's having difficulty remembering phone numbers he's just heard when on calls with clients unless he immediately writes them down. He's wondering if his mind is all screwed up or whether he's losing control. He's tired, feels off balance most of the time and always thinks he's missing something. As we walked on I pondered his situation for a block or two. In responce, I told him that I thought/think he's perfectly normal and can totally identify with what he's experiencing.

We both work in a job that is understaffed for the level of mental gymnastics we are expected to perform at. I look at him and recognize much of my own situation. In him, I see a well designed, fully adorned, human computer that is capable of doing wonderful work and producing tremendous product for our employer save one thing... his "Inbox", or in this case, his "Ram Memory" is full! Not only is it full, it's overloaded, and there's no time provided to archive data and free up operating space. As a result, that information that is not fully supported by his daily work expectation is all too often dropped.

Lest I overly contribute to this onslaught of input on your own mental capacities, I'll try to tie this up by posing couple of quick observations and/or queries. First and foremost... "Isn't there a better way to live?" I know this has been a subject of discussion for decades if not eons, but just the same, "Where have we gone astray?" "Isn't it time that we recognize the general limits of human performance and quit trying to force an expansion of those limits for financial reasons despite the fact that such an expansion is detrimental to the health and well being of the forcee?"