It is incomprehensible that petty political posturing (PPP) dominates.
Policy differences aside, elected officials continue the disgusting PPP practice. Rather than putting aside infantile personal animosity for the good of the American people, these folks would rather pursue Internet clicks and on air video minutes for their PPP. Rather than work together to produce single purpose legislation unencumbered by pet projects, they snipe at one another incessantly.
Absolutely tone deaf, they posture in pursuit of wealth, power, and prestige. So much for facetious concern for the American people.
And when called out for their outlandish behavior, they attempt to blame their political opponents, using absolute terms in a far-from-absolute world. Or they issue clearly contradictory statements days, if not hours, apart.
PPP.
Without due regard for the impacts of their their PPP, Pelosi and Trump head a list of elected officials who should be summarily and rounded condemned and forced from office at the earliest opportunity.
Not a perfect solution by any means, but removing all federally elected officials and starting anew would be a good start in reclaiming the power of the people.
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Monday, April 20, 2020
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Two peas in pod
Shifting gears, it occurred to me the other day
that there are two folks on the national stage that share much. They both spew out unsubstantiated drivel on
Twitter, avoiding facts in pursuit of increasing the number of their followers. Unconcerned with truth, inane tweets one
after the other are sent into the social media sphere. Then the media jump on their tweets, which is
find with them, because it feeds their overwhelming narcissism. Yet their followers and believers swear by
them, seeing their pronouncements as absolute.
When did our nation become so gullible as to accept the missives of
these two?
In case you wonder, I refer to Trump and AOC. Two peas in a pod.
Monday, February 4, 2019
Non Football Lecturing (NFL) (UPDATED)
Sunday morning, a neighbor and I stood on the sidewalk, chatting about this and that, smiling at and acknowledging those walking by. It is a good neighborhood for these polite exchanges.
He asked if we were going to watch the "big game," referencing the Super Bowl. In response, I explained we would not.
Left unsaid was the primary reason: the National Football League and this particularly game are no longer solely about athletic competition. A mix mash of political and "social justice" commentary overshadow the game.
A review of the print and on-line pieces leading up to the game and the Monday morning headlines on a variety of so-called news sites reveals the overwhelming number of articles were about either political or "social justice" issues, rather than the game itself. Politically inspired commercials, the performer boycott of the half-time show, Kaepernick, the National Anthem, male cheerleaders, and even POTUS comments about the game received more print and on-line presence than the competition itself. It was totally predictable.
And that is why I chose not to watch the game. Setting aside the obscene amounts paid to the uniformed entertainers referred to as players, athletic competition should be about the sport, not everything or anything else.
Certainly folks can use any platform they choose to peacefully protest or advocate. Just as I can choose not to be subjected to their protests or commentary. Unfortunately for the NFL, it has been captured as the primary sports based platform for such protests and commentary. And the players, teams, and NFL management have done a very poor job controlling it. So it was an easy decision not to watch either the NFL or the Super Bowl.
One might even quip that NFL now stands for Non Football Lecturing.
Thank you, no! I watch sports to be entertained by the athletic competition, not be lectured to.
Update: Looks like I wasn't the only one. Check this report.
He asked if we were going to watch the "big game," referencing the Super Bowl. In response, I explained we would not.
Left unsaid was the primary reason: the National Football League and this particularly game are no longer solely about athletic competition. A mix mash of political and "social justice" commentary overshadow the game.
A review of the print and on-line pieces leading up to the game and the Monday morning headlines on a variety of so-called news sites reveals the overwhelming number of articles were about either political or "social justice" issues, rather than the game itself. Politically inspired commercials, the performer boycott of the half-time show, Kaepernick, the National Anthem, male cheerleaders, and even POTUS comments about the game received more print and on-line presence than the competition itself. It was totally predictable.
And that is why I chose not to watch the game. Setting aside the obscene amounts paid to the uniformed entertainers referred to as players, athletic competition should be about the sport, not everything or anything else.
Certainly folks can use any platform they choose to peacefully protest or advocate. Just as I can choose not to be subjected to their protests or commentary. Unfortunately for the NFL, it has been captured as the primary sports based platform for such protests and commentary. And the players, teams, and NFL management have done a very poor job controlling it. So it was an easy decision not to watch either the NFL or the Super Bowl.
One might even quip that NFL now stands for Non Football Lecturing.
Thank you, no! I watch sports to be entertained by the athletic competition, not be lectured to.
Update: Looks like I wasn't the only one. Check this report.
Monday, January 21, 2019
Not everything is negative
Not everything is negative, although perusing (supposed) news Internet sites would have you conclude otherwise.
Apart from punditry replacing journalism, one should not let the so-called news set the tone for the day, because there really is a lot of good happening each and every day all across our fantastic nation.
An example of the good are the missions conducted by the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR). Known primarily for supporting the funerals of active duty military members or veterans, these missions exemplify good.
Take this morning for example. Eight folks, seven on motorcycles (including one married couple) came out to honor the passing of a veteran. His military resume was unique, by any standard. He'd served in the U. S. Navy in WWII and the U. S. Army in Korea. On this breezy, chilly (by San Diego standards) Monday morning, the PGR gathered to honor this veteran. In the group of eight members of the all volunteer PGR were a retired Marine, Marine Corps veteran, Army veteran, three Navy veterans, the wife of a Navy veteran, and one gent who never served in the military.
Each gave of their time this morning to stand for one who stood for us. No public recognition would be forthcoming. None of the PGR knew the veteran they were honoring, nor did any of them know any members of the veteran's family. Yet they gave of their time to ensure he was honored.
At the cemetery, they stood a flag line as his coffin was moved from the hearse to the grave site. They extended the flag line, standing behind the grave site, with flags flying as the final farewell was offered by a family member. It was telling, as the two soldier Army Honor Guard presented the folder American Flag to the son of the deceased veteran, that the PGR presented arms, holding aloft the American flags.
This is an example of the good that happens all across our nation each and every day. But you'd never know it, because the erstwhile media don't care.
That's OK, because the PGR doesn't support these missions several times per week in SoCal for media attention. We do it because it is the right thing to do.
Not everything is negative.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
The next two years
After the 2016 election, the GOP controlled both chambers of Congress and the White House. Expectation was high on the right. After two years and the disastrous midterm, what can be pointed to as major accomplishments?
Not much.
And now the Dems have the lower chamber, with media expectations running high for the left. Sad to say, apart from all the ballyhoo, in two years' time the nation will most likely be no better off.
Politicians on both side make wide sweeping promises, then regularly fail to fulfill them. All the claptrap uttered during campaigns plays to the party bases, drumming up excitement and expectations. But no single member of the House or senator can wave a magic wand and make the campaign promises reality. And collectively the members of Congress have but one common goal: reelection.
As long as reelection is the primary goal of members of Congress, the country will suffer.
The elected use public monies as a slush fund, handing out benefits in order to buy votes. So increases the unimaginable national debt.
State and local officials rig districts and voting to benefit the reelection frenzy. So increases the division within the country.
Political party entities manipulate social media to skew self-serving messages and narratives for the perpetual election cycles. So increases segments of our population that are inflamed by false stories.
The politically aligned media aid and abet the perpetual election cycles, pumping out opinion masquerading as journalism. So increases the misinformation and disinformation bombarding the electorate.
Colleges and universities, pursuing naked political reelection objectives, indoctrinate young, new voters, camouflaging it as higher education. So increases ignorance within the electorate.
Ignorant social activists, fueled by false stories, indoctrination, misinformation, disinformation, and inflamed and divided by manipulated social media and the general media, ardently push to reelect candidates, based solely on physical characteristics, ethnicity, or heritage. So increases the number of wholly unqualified elected officials.
So increases, to levels of near certainty, that the next two years will be no more productive than the previous two.
An approach: change the Constitution so that every single member of Congress terms out at the end of his/her current term of office. Include in the change foolproof, unassailable term limits for all future member of Congress.
It will be a start.
Maybe then the following two year will see major problems in our country attacked and resolved for the good of ALL of the people.
Not much.
And now the Dems have the lower chamber, with media expectations running high for the left. Sad to say, apart from all the ballyhoo, in two years' time the nation will most likely be no better off.
Politicians on both side make wide sweeping promises, then regularly fail to fulfill them. All the claptrap uttered during campaigns plays to the party bases, drumming up excitement and expectations. But no single member of the House or senator can wave a magic wand and make the campaign promises reality. And collectively the members of Congress have but one common goal: reelection.
As long as reelection is the primary goal of members of Congress, the country will suffer.
The elected use public monies as a slush fund, handing out benefits in order to buy votes. So increases the unimaginable national debt.
State and local officials rig districts and voting to benefit the reelection frenzy. So increases the division within the country.
Political party entities manipulate social media to skew self-serving messages and narratives for the perpetual election cycles. So increases segments of our population that are inflamed by false stories.
The politically aligned media aid and abet the perpetual election cycles, pumping out opinion masquerading as journalism. So increases the misinformation and disinformation bombarding the electorate.
Colleges and universities, pursuing naked political reelection objectives, indoctrinate young, new voters, camouflaging it as higher education. So increases ignorance within the electorate.
Ignorant social activists, fueled by false stories, indoctrination, misinformation, disinformation, and inflamed and divided by manipulated social media and the general media, ardently push to reelect candidates, based solely on physical characteristics, ethnicity, or heritage. So increases the number of wholly unqualified elected officials.
So increases, to levels of near certainty, that the next two years will be no more productive than the previous two.
An approach: change the Constitution so that every single member of Congress terms out at the end of his/her current term of office. Include in the change foolproof, unassailable term limits for all future member of Congress.
It will be a start.
Maybe then the following two year will see major problems in our country attacked and resolved for the good of ALL of the people.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Wednesday morning
Come Wednesday morning, it's pretty damn certain the sun will rise. Nearly as certain is that one side or the other of the political spectrum will be apoplectic.
Yet the sun will still rise. No apocalypse occurred overnight in the wake of the election.
Life will go on.
But if listening or reading only in the echo chambers of the (inaptly named) major political parties, left or right, liberal or conservative, roughly half of the average american citizens will hear doom and gloom. It is also reasonable to predict an onslaught of associated claims and counterclaims about this or that injustice. Just as during the lead up to the election, exaggeration, embellishment, overstatement, and hyperbole will fill the day. Self-appointed pundits will flood (mainly in the aforementioned echo chambers) broadcasts, the airwaves, and Internet with their (anything but) sage views. Absolutism will dominate. Handwringing will be elevated to an art form. Invective will be shouted. Protests may be mounted.
Sheesh!
Yet the sun will come up and life will go on.
Those most impacted by the results, the average citizenry of the nation, will go about their daily lives, in spite of the election. Some will grouse, some will smile. But they will go about their lives, regardless of their views and feelings. Because that is just the way it will be.
The winners may celebrate and the losers may complain, but neither will simply lay down and do nothing. Momentary anger or joy will by necessity yield to the demands of the new day. Breakfast will be consumed and off to work they will go, happy or not. The activities of daily life will continue pretty much unabated.
Perhaps only in the woefully unrealistic and insular bubbles called college/university campuses will activity momentarily cease. Classes may be cancelled. Marches may be organized. Even as parents pay the bills, academia may raise its strident voice.
Everywhere else, life will go on.
That is an absolute certainty for Wednesday morning.
Yet the sun will still rise. No apocalypse occurred overnight in the wake of the election.
Life will go on.
But if listening or reading only in the echo chambers of the (inaptly named) major political parties, left or right, liberal or conservative, roughly half of the average american citizens will hear doom and gloom. It is also reasonable to predict an onslaught of associated claims and counterclaims about this or that injustice. Just as during the lead up to the election, exaggeration, embellishment, overstatement, and hyperbole will fill the day. Self-appointed pundits will flood (mainly in the aforementioned echo chambers) broadcasts, the airwaves, and Internet with their (anything but) sage views. Absolutism will dominate. Handwringing will be elevated to an art form. Invective will be shouted. Protests may be mounted.
Sheesh!
Yet the sun will come up and life will go on.
Those most impacted by the results, the average citizenry of the nation, will go about their daily lives, in spite of the election. Some will grouse, some will smile. But they will go about their lives, regardless of their views and feelings. Because that is just the way it will be.
The winners may celebrate and the losers may complain, but neither will simply lay down and do nothing. Momentary anger or joy will by necessity yield to the demands of the new day. Breakfast will be consumed and off to work they will go, happy or not. The activities of daily life will continue pretty much unabated.
Perhaps only in the woefully unrealistic and insular bubbles called college/university campuses will activity momentarily cease. Classes may be cancelled. Marches may be organized. Even as parents pay the bills, academia may raise its strident voice.
Everywhere else, life will go on.
That is an absolute certainty for Wednesday morning.
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Saturday morning
A nearly ideal, weather wise, Saturday morning in the San Diego region saw 68 motorcyclists come together in the early morning hours. While most folks were probably sleeping in or enjoying a leisurely breakfast and second cup of coffee, these bikers gathered at a funeral home in the town of La Mesa, just east of San Diego.
Funeral home on a Saturday morning you ask? Some might assume, with disdain in mind, that it must be for the services for "one of those bikers." Couldn't be farther from the truth.
These bikers came to honor a fallen sailor, Petty Officer Curtis Adams, U. S. Navy, who had been shot down after stopping for who he thought was a stranded motorist.
To honor him, these bikers would escort him to the San Diego airport for the final flight home.
Arranged by the Patriot Guard Riders, this morning's mission included bikers representing several groups. The prevailing themes across the groups were patriotism, military service, and honoring for our men and women in uniform. In addition to the bikers, which included some younger active duty members of the military, there were roughly a dozen cars carrying Petty Officer Adams' fellow sailors, those who had served with him.
The package, as it is referred to, ultimately grew to 68 motorcycles, 14 cars, and the hearse. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, a prayer offered, and mission briefing provided.
At the appointed time, a flag line was set, honors were rendered, the pall bearers transferred the remains into the hearse, and the package departed and headed to the airport. Once there, they repeated the process, rendering honors as Petty Officer Adams was delivered to the airline cargo representatives.
A somber Saturday morning, with dozens of folks, the majority of whom had never met Petty Officer Adams, coming together as patriots.
In this hyper-intense period leading up to the mid-term elections, I noticed the absence of the media and elected officials. Damn! A young sailor dies, gunned down in the midst of trying to do the right thing, and not one member of the media or one elected official could spare even a few minutes out of their Saturday morning.
Funeral home on a Saturday morning you ask? Some might assume, with disdain in mind, that it must be for the services for "one of those bikers." Couldn't be farther from the truth.
These bikers came to honor a fallen sailor, Petty Officer Curtis Adams, U. S. Navy, who had been shot down after stopping for who he thought was a stranded motorist.
To honor him, these bikers would escort him to the San Diego airport for the final flight home.
Arranged by the Patriot Guard Riders, this morning's mission included bikers representing several groups. The prevailing themes across the groups were patriotism, military service, and honoring for our men and women in uniform. In addition to the bikers, which included some younger active duty members of the military, there were roughly a dozen cars carrying Petty Officer Adams' fellow sailors, those who had served with him.
The package, as it is referred to, ultimately grew to 68 motorcycles, 14 cars, and the hearse. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, a prayer offered, and mission briefing provided.
At the appointed time, a flag line was set, honors were rendered, the pall bearers transferred the remains into the hearse, and the package departed and headed to the airport. Once there, they repeated the process, rendering honors as Petty Officer Adams was delivered to the airline cargo representatives.
A somber Saturday morning, with dozens of folks, the majority of whom had never met Petty Officer Adams, coming together as patriots.
In this hyper-intense period leading up to the mid-term elections, I noticed the absence of the media and elected officials. Damn! A young sailor dies, gunned down in the midst of trying to do the right thing, and not one member of the media or one elected official could spare even a few minutes out of their Saturday morning.
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Why is anyone surprised?
The oft times not so subtle exhortations by elected individuals, members of the media, and others from both sides of the major political, social, and cultural divides sow hatred. Vitriolic and emotional commentary perhaps intended for political purposes in an election season (when are we not in some form of election season?) is wholly inappropriate.
Sadly, tragically, the country is reaping that hatred sown by these exhortations. Violence, the threat of violence, and planning for violence is now commonplace.
Bomb makers. Assassins. Rioters. Mobs.
Sickening in any context in this wonderful nation.
And the sickening is magnified by attempts by the political cadre to employ tragedy and lawlessness for personal gain at the ballot box. Either by feeble attempts to enhance their own status or by repugnant attempts to place direct responsibility at the feet of political opponents.
Nauseous abuse of the loudspeakers provided by the media.
All factions, from both major parties share the real blame. They have led the country to this point in history.
Why is anyone surprised by the increasing reports of violence?
Each and every politician and member of the media who has slyly, directly, craftily, angrily, or otherwise called for or encouraged physical confrontation or violence should immediately be arrested. Inciting violence is a crime and should be addressed as such.
The election be damned. Your strife ridden pursuit of identity politics is ruining the country.
One approach?
Vote out every single incumbent. Start anew.
Sadly, tragically, the country is reaping that hatred sown by these exhortations. Violence, the threat of violence, and planning for violence is now commonplace.
Bomb makers. Assassins. Rioters. Mobs.
Sickening in any context in this wonderful nation.
And the sickening is magnified by attempts by the political cadre to employ tragedy and lawlessness for personal gain at the ballot box. Either by feeble attempts to enhance their own status or by repugnant attempts to place direct responsibility at the feet of political opponents.
Nauseous abuse of the loudspeakers provided by the media.
All factions, from both major parties share the real blame. They have led the country to this point in history.
Why is anyone surprised by the increasing reports of violence?
Each and every politician and member of the media who has slyly, directly, craftily, angrily, or otherwise called for or encouraged physical confrontation or violence should immediately be arrested. Inciting violence is a crime and should be addressed as such.
The election be damned. Your strife ridden pursuit of identity politics is ruining the country.
One approach?
Vote out every single incumbent. Start anew.
Monday, January 22, 2018
It is liberating
The phrase "it is liberating" most certainly captures the unique freedom experienced on the open road while piloting a motorcycle. This experience is heightened when the open road is far from crowded urban areas.
Rolling along, astride the motorcycle, through magnificent scenery liberates the soul. The rushing air and sound of the rumbling motor peel off the concerns of daily life. At one with machine and the environment. It is liberating, but this not about which I write today.
Even more liberating, and not requiring a bike, is a self-imposed news blackout.
It came to be that reading and watching so-called news were simply sources of aggravation. Journalism has been overcome by thinly -- if ever -- disguised opinion drivel. Conservative or liberal, it does not matter. News has been replaced by largely unfounded expressions of personal views. And, much like elected officials seeking fame and fortune, the purveyors of these opinions seek not to enlighten, but to receive clicks, calls, tweets, posts, and the other currency of an opinion crazy, narcissistic social media driven society.
The more inflammatory, the better. The more rabid and outrageous, the better. That this phenomenon occurs without integrity or principal matters not.
It finally dawned that by reading and watching these opinion hucksters, I was giving credence to their offerings. I was part of the problem, and in the process I was allowing myself to get riled up, day after day. Enough! Why go thorough the day upset by some opinion piece masquerading as journalism? The solution is the self-imposed "news" blackout.
Now several weeks into this approach, I am much happier. So not to mislead, let me explain. I scan on-line headlines from conservative and liberal sources, gaining an appreciation for the stories of the day. But I do not read them. There are some topics motivating further examination, such as military and veteran stories. Sadly, however, I am finding all too many of these infected with the opinion bug, leading to reducing the number of pieces I read on these topics. I also read pieces about sports events, primarily to learn the results, not the off field goings on by the over paid professional athletes. And lots of motorcycle pieces. Finally, I watch NO televised news. ZERO. NONE.
It is truly liberating.
Apart from saving lots of time, I avoid the aggravating, ignorance-based, opinion driven drivel passing for journalism. The day starts and ends on a much more positive note.
Caring not a whit about the goings on by self-appointed celebrities, with ego maniacal internal views, why provide them entry into my life? Out, out damn fools I say.
Now I can spend time planning the next family gathering or next motorcycle outing, playing tennis with my bride, cycling, and riding the Harley. I rest more comfortably and enjoy time with friends without discussing the latest "crisis" some idiot had proclaimed.
It is so liberating.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Postmortem
As the election postmortem continues ad nauseam, two points are irrefutable.
HRC deliberately chose to exclusively employ an unauthorized, unsecured email server for official government business, contrary to policy and regulations.
The hacked and released DNC and HRC campaign staff emails were not altered in any way. Thus, the contents must be taken as factual.
HRC deliberately chose to exclusively employ an unauthorized, unsecured email server for official government business, contrary to policy and regulations.
The hacked and released DNC and HRC campaign staff emails were not altered in any way. Thus, the contents must be taken as factual.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Mother nature is real
We stood in our kitchen, sipping coffee and looking west, enjoying the view out to the ocean. Soon the view was obscured by an incoming band of weather. Slowly and steadily the view was overtaken by the low hanging clouds. Really low hanging.
The surface of the water, buildings, trees, streetlights, and landmarks were swallowed as the weather front crawled inexorably from east to west. Obviously we were soon to be inundated. Just as that thought crossed my mind, a flash with accompanying thunder emanated from the rolling mist, announcing the arrival.
The first light drops of rain hit the surface of the pool. Slight, shallow dimples. As the mist enveloped our home, with the rising wind, the drops became heavier and heavier, soon growing to torrential size. Trees were swaying. The drumming sound of heavy drops beating on the deck and patio.
Warm and dry, standing in our kitchen drinking our coffee, taking in the scene, I couldn't help but think of mother nature.
Perhaps she knew of the thought, because another, brighter flash and much louder thunder lit up and rocked the house, as the storm cell passed over, pushed by the strengthening wind.
From beginning to end, it was probably not more than 5-to-10 minutes. Where streets, decks, and patios were dry, they now are soaked. Flowing down the hill's streets, the sudden infusion of water is following nature's course to lower levels.
As across the nation men and women speak and write in hyperbole, with loose attention to facts, communicating emotion based opinion, complaining about this and that, firing accusations and unfounded assertions. Politicians. Elected officials. Members of the media. Spokespersons. Pundits. Athletes.
Having the choice of listening and reading their tripe or watching mother nature, it's no contest.
Another cup of coffee. Another look west, in anticipation of the next band of weather gathering out there on the horizon. Another flash, another roll of thunder.
That is real.
(By the way, I also look forward to sunny skies and dry roads, so the motorcycle can come out of the garage.)
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Belittling the office
Much of the media is devoting time and ink to reports of elected officials and entertainers boycotting the upcoming inauguration. Boycott as a verb, according to Dictionary.com, is defined as follows:
1. to combine in abstaining from, or preventing dealings with, as a means of intimidation or coercion:
2. to abstain from buying or using:
That entertainers choose not to attend the inauguration is totally inconsequential. However, elected officials, who would otherwise attend, choosing not to attend, belittle the office into which the people have voted them. This is no time for attempted intimidation or coercion. Instead of celebrating the peaceful transition from one president to the next, an important cornerstone of our democracy, these elected officials are petulantly acting in a manner inconsistent with this same democracy. Thus they belittle the office they hold.
A staunch supporter of the freedom of speech, I understand an individual's consuming desire to express his or her displeasure or support. But sometimes the manner, place, and timing in which this expression is offered must be taken into account. A sitting federal senator or representative can always take to the floor of Congress to express his/her views in opposition or support of the current administration and president. We may not agree with with they say, but they have the right to say it. That is democracy in action.
But to childishly claim they are boycotting the inauguration serves to demean the positions they hold. As elected leaders of our nation, they must set positive examples by their actions. Principled disagreement with the administration, coherently articulated at an appropriate time and place, exemplifies democracy in action. A whining claim of boycotting the inauguration does not.
Rather than belittling their office, these individuals could take the moral high ground by stating their are attending the inauguration to visibly demonstrate their unyielding support for the peaceful transition of power characteristic in a free democracy, even when they vehemently disagree with the incoming president.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Judge them by the same standards
As news cycles ebb and flow, pieces judging candidates seem to dominate. Apart from deliberately stilted coverage, this is the way it should be. Though the fine art of principled journalism has yielded to expressing individual views disguised as "news," the valued role of the media is to inform. Just the facts, nothing but the facts.
Perhaps no where is this more important than when judging elected officials and those seeking elected office. All that can be asked is that elected officials and those seeking elected office be judged by the same standards.
Determining the standards by which they are judged is fairly easy. For example, truthfulness, honesty, obeying the law, integrity, performance, ethics, consistency, knowledge, fidelity, accomplishment, respect, veracity, humility, decency, patriotism, honor, judgment, principle, and embodying American values.
Applying the standards is also fairly easy. Review the records of accomplishment or lack thereof. Review what has been said, publicly and privately. Look at the family life. Compare and contrast stated objectives with accomplishments. Evaluate friendships and associations (birds of a feather flock together). Critically review political speeches for the truth. And many more.
And judge each by these same standards. Do not hold one candidate or elected official to one set of standards and the opponents to another.
Perhaps no where is this more important than when judging elected officials and those seeking elected office. All that can be asked is that elected officials and those seeking elected office be judged by the same standards.
Determining the standards by which they are judged is fairly easy. For example, truthfulness, honesty, obeying the law, integrity, performance, ethics, consistency, knowledge, fidelity, accomplishment, respect, veracity, humility, decency, patriotism, honor, judgment, principle, and embodying American values.
Applying the standards is also fairly easy. Review the records of accomplishment or lack thereof. Review what has been said, publicly and privately. Look at the family life. Compare and contrast stated objectives with accomplishments. Evaluate friendships and associations (birds of a feather flock together). Critically review political speeches for the truth. And many more.
And judge each by these same standards. Do not hold one candidate or elected official to one set of standards and the opponents to another.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
It is not a zero sum world
Definition of zero sum: "of, relating to, or being a situation (as a game or relationship)
in which a gain for one side entails a corresponding loss for the other
side" (source: Merriam-Webster)
In this time of pop culture (according to Dictionary.com, "cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people"), social activism, and repugnant president election campaigning, it occurs that almost all the strident commentary is based upon the seriously flawed assumption that we exist in a zero sum world.
Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth in America. For example:
Yet it seems a zero sum assumption permeates the worlds of the political and social activism. In these worlds, the explanations invariably include the word fair. In the eyes of these people, it is not fair that some succeed and some do not, therefore, if one succeeds, it must be at the cost of another.
In a word, absurd. Life is not inherently fair. That some are born with exceptional physical and mental capabilities has nothing to do with fairness. So the Olympic medalist's achievement was not at the cost of requiring the mediocre or worse athlete to fail.
Aside from non-issue of fairness, what also must be taken into account are determination and effort. Volumes have been written about individuals overcoming adversity through determination and effort. These accomplishments did not require that someone else fail.
One can be successful in any number of arenas, without it requiring a corresponding loss or failure by someone else. Unfortunately, pop culture, politicians, and social activists are selling a seriously flawed product by stating otherwise. Specifically, that your lack of success is directly due to the success of another group, so the only way matters can corrected in your favor is to either take the success from another and give it to you; deny success to others, then decree it automatically becomes yours; or deny success, achievement, accomplishment in pursuit of "fairness" or "equity." Everyone must have the identical success. Absurd!
Until folks shed this approach, far too many citizens will be perpetually unhappy. A far better approach is convincing the nation that each can succeed, through applying their God given talents in pursuit of education, employment, relationships, financial security, whatever. Determinedly employing and improving ones talents through hard work, also known as effort, enables one to succeed. And it does not require that anyone else failure or lose.
Are there problems in our nation? Most certainly. Must we work to overcome them? Also most certainly. But doing so does not mean one person or group must fail or give up its success for another person or group to be equally or even more successful.
In this time of pop culture (according to Dictionary.com, "cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people"), social activism, and repugnant president election campaigning, it occurs that almost all the strident commentary is based upon the seriously flawed assumption that we exist in a zero sum world.
Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth in America. For example:
- One person's academic success does not require another person's academic failure.
- One person's success in the workplace does not require failure by another.
- One group's advances does not necessitate another group's losses.
- One individual's home purchase does not require another person to give up his/her home.
Yet it seems a zero sum assumption permeates the worlds of the political and social activism. In these worlds, the explanations invariably include the word fair. In the eyes of these people, it is not fair that some succeed and some do not, therefore, if one succeeds, it must be at the cost of another.
In a word, absurd. Life is not inherently fair. That some are born with exceptional physical and mental capabilities has nothing to do with fairness. So the Olympic medalist's achievement was not at the cost of requiring the mediocre or worse athlete to fail.
Aside from non-issue of fairness, what also must be taken into account are determination and effort. Volumes have been written about individuals overcoming adversity through determination and effort. These accomplishments did not require that someone else fail.
One can be successful in any number of arenas, without it requiring a corresponding loss or failure by someone else. Unfortunately, pop culture, politicians, and social activists are selling a seriously flawed product by stating otherwise. Specifically, that your lack of success is directly due to the success of another group, so the only way matters can corrected in your favor is to either take the success from another and give it to you; deny success to others, then decree it automatically becomes yours; or deny success, achievement, accomplishment in pursuit of "fairness" or "equity." Everyone must have the identical success. Absurd!
Until folks shed this approach, far too many citizens will be perpetually unhappy. A far better approach is convincing the nation that each can succeed, through applying their God given talents in pursuit of education, employment, relationships, financial security, whatever. Determinedly employing and improving ones talents through hard work, also known as effort, enables one to succeed. And it does not require that anyone else failure or lose.
Are there problems in our nation? Most certainly. Must we work to overcome them? Also most certainly. But doing so does not mean one person or group must fail or give up its success for another person or group to be equally or even more successful.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Opinions and debates
In the seemingly perpetual campaigning across the country, serious damage is being done to essential aspects of our uniquely American freedoms. Political campaigns, aided and abetted by the media, are leading the way in causing the damage. Damage that is magnified by the quasi-to-actual anonymity of social media.
Freedom of expression is a pillar of freedom upon which our nation stands. This freedom extends to the ability to express opinion and then debate the merits of said views. In establishing this freedom, wisely neither the Constitution nor the Amendments require that the opinions be based on fact or even logical conclusion. It is debate about the opinion that will or will not convince others of its merit. Those opinions with value will earn support and those without will be disregarded.
Or at least that is the way things should work. But it is certainly not the way it happens today.
Starting at the very top, pursuing votes as a candidate for president has devolved into anything but informed opinions being debated, so that the electorate may determine which have merit. Rather than mature iterations of opinion and debate, candidates sling about outlandish insults at one another. Hyperbole replaces reason. All sorts of intent and behaviors are ascribed to opponents. And this goes on unchecked.
The behavior is left unchecked by the media, who actually serve to inflame the situation. Talking heads no longer merely report, they filter, edit, and opine to meet their personal objectives. The damaging behavior, left unchecked, aided and abetted by the media, is subsequently proliferated by rampant social media. And social media is notoriously unreliable, but certainly full of scathing, often anonymous screed. But hey, if a candidate for the presidency and the media can behave in such a repugnant manner, should not voters able to follow suit.
Imagine primary and general campaigns in which the candidates refrained from the hyper-toxic accusations and personal attacks. What if the campaigns strictly put forth their opinions on important matters, then debated their opponents on the merits pro and con? What if the media simply reported the stated opinions and accurately reported the ensuing debates, without attempting to tilt the information one direction or another?
Yes, under our system of free speech an individual can utter falsehoods with legal immunity. Individuals can take to social media and communicate inflammatory and wholly false rhetoric with legal immunity. And individuals on social media can transmit all sorts of vile, reprehensible, and troubling comments without being held legally responsible.
Imagine candidates not declaring as fact matters that are subsequently proven to be false. Imagine candidates not employing social media to communicate inflammatory comments. Imagine candidates communicating civilly. Imagine candidates presenting opinions and seriously debating their merits.
That would exhibit the manner in which our freedom of expression of opinions and debates is meant to be.
If candidates, starting with those seeking the presidency, set the tone and example by taking this approach, the damage would be slowed. If followed by the media seriously and judiciously reporting the opinions and debates, without leaning one way or the other, the damage would be further slowed. And maybe, just maybe, such examples set by candidates and the media would bleed over into the realm of social media.
Freedom of expression is a pillar of freedom upon which our nation stands. This freedom extends to the ability to express opinion and then debate the merits of said views. In establishing this freedom, wisely neither the Constitution nor the Amendments require that the opinions be based on fact or even logical conclusion. It is debate about the opinion that will or will not convince others of its merit. Those opinions with value will earn support and those without will be disregarded.
Or at least that is the way things should work. But it is certainly not the way it happens today.
Starting at the very top, pursuing votes as a candidate for president has devolved into anything but informed opinions being debated, so that the electorate may determine which have merit. Rather than mature iterations of opinion and debate, candidates sling about outlandish insults at one another. Hyperbole replaces reason. All sorts of intent and behaviors are ascribed to opponents. And this goes on unchecked.
The behavior is left unchecked by the media, who actually serve to inflame the situation. Talking heads no longer merely report, they filter, edit, and opine to meet their personal objectives. The damaging behavior, left unchecked, aided and abetted by the media, is subsequently proliferated by rampant social media. And social media is notoriously unreliable, but certainly full of scathing, often anonymous screed. But hey, if a candidate for the presidency and the media can behave in such a repugnant manner, should not voters able to follow suit.
Imagine primary and general campaigns in which the candidates refrained from the hyper-toxic accusations and personal attacks. What if the campaigns strictly put forth their opinions on important matters, then debated their opponents on the merits pro and con? What if the media simply reported the stated opinions and accurately reported the ensuing debates, without attempting to tilt the information one direction or another?
Yes, under our system of free speech an individual can utter falsehoods with legal immunity. Individuals can take to social media and communicate inflammatory and wholly false rhetoric with legal immunity. And individuals on social media can transmit all sorts of vile, reprehensible, and troubling comments without being held legally responsible.
Imagine candidates not declaring as fact matters that are subsequently proven to be false. Imagine candidates not employing social media to communicate inflammatory comments. Imagine candidates communicating civilly. Imagine candidates presenting opinions and seriously debating their merits.
That would exhibit the manner in which our freedom of expression of opinions and debates is meant to be.
If candidates, starting with those seeking the presidency, set the tone and example by taking this approach, the damage would be slowed. If followed by the media seriously and judiciously reporting the opinions and debates, without leaning one way or the other, the damage would be further slowed. And maybe, just maybe, such examples set by candidates and the media would bleed over into the realm of social media.
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