The three presidential candidates, actually all of Congress, in fact, pretty much all of us, miss the point: We talk about the economy, the mortgage crisis, the war, illegal immigrants, and numerous other serious, but not world ending, issues. The most demanding, most pressing problems of the time go virtually unmentioned: 1. We have got to get rid of all nuclear weapons. Starting with the U.S. All other countries must than follow. This is way too damn risky. One mistake, one gung-ho idiot with an itchy trigger finger, and it's all over. 2. We have to stop global warming. There are no if's, and's, or but's about this. There is no liberal conspiracy. This is a winner take all, or lose all, proposition. Our reliance on fossil fuels has to end. The oil companies and coal companies have made enough. It's either get with it, or parish. 3. Population growth has to be controlled, There are too many of us. Six billion and counting. Number two cannot be accomplished unless the population is controlled. 4. We have to give attention to other environmental issues, like the oceans, the coral reefs, the forests, soil, right down to the flora and fauna. We cannot keep destroying these things in the name of profit and consumerism. Our children, their children, and their children's children deserve better. If we don't get these four things under control, and fairly soon, nothing else will matter.
As I lay in bed this morning thinking how screwed up this country has become, the questions start: How did we get to the point where we believe that killing people can win over their hearts? That we somehow think that we know what is best for everyone? How do you end up torturing people in an attempt to win them over to democracy? How does someone who joins the military end up as front page news, but those who protest the war continue to be looked at with disdain and suspicion? When is it going to end that people have to file bankruptcy over health-related expenses? Why would we keep a President in office who has blatantly and repeatedly lied to us? The longer I lay in bed, the more questions I have that I can't answer. So I got up and took my meds. Somehow, everything makes sense now.
(Headed for vacation. See you next Monday). The Peever
I turn sixty today. Holy Cow! I'm actually pretty happy about it. I almost didn't make it. Now I'm shooting for 75. They say if you get to 60, you can expect to live until at least age 83. But, I don't want to get greedy. For now I'll settle for 75. I might want to make an adjustment later. Right now it feels good getting to sixty. Two more years and Uncle Sam will have to start paying me for staying alive. Sweet revenge.
About 330 baby boomers are turning 60 every hour. Today, I will be one of five turning sixty between the hours of 11 and 12pm. Makes me feel sort of special.
As for the past sixty years, well, its been fun. I had a good childhood; my parents were kind and understanding; I knew andhave good memories of my grandparents; I won the grade school science fair, beating out all the smart kids; I loved playing baseball and basketball; I married my childhood sweetheart; we have two great kids; we have owned four homes, all unique in their own way; I have had three jobs spanning thirty years; I am now retired and about to start my second book; I have written a column in the local paper for the last 13 years; I have some really good friends, both young and old; and I have, so to speak, come back from the dead, keeping some pretty good company. That leaves out a few not-so-good things, but all in all, not a bad sixty years.
As for my goals and expectations for the future: * Now that I'm retired, I can start to do what I really enjoy, raising all types of hell. Full-time. * I'm going to try to write a decent book. My first was just a mixture of short stories, poems, and peeves. I think i am going to try to write a fable. I finally found the title. Some people write, and then find a title. I find a title, and then write. Why do anything conventional at this point? * Health is always an issue. Trying to stay alive is damn near a fulll-time job. I don't eat healthy, I hate to exercise, and I despise medications. Aside from that, I do pretty good. I'm not adjusting to the health-side of old age. I need a miracle elixir. * I like to play golf. I enjoy it, most of the time. It is kind of a microcosm of life. There are ups and downs and your game is pretty much of your own doing. There's no one else to blame, unless, of course, your playing partners talk on your back-swing. The only way you really get better is by practicing. The old do, re-do theory. You have to execute. You have to do what you know needs doing. Talk is cheap. It takes action. The game of golf takes focus, concentration, patience, and execution, all the while knowing that you will never quite get it. That's life. * I'm not big on traveling, but there are a few places I would like to see. I would like to visit Paris, and rural France. I like the French, mainly because they dislike Bush. I'd like to personally tell them that we are not all flag waving, God Bless America singing, war mongering, die hard right-wing Republican fanatics. And i wouldn't mind seeing Italy, Stonehenge in England, and playing a round of golf in Ireland. I would like to meet Castro and visit Hemingway's home in Cuba, but I don't see that happening. Other than that, I'm pretty content to take a closer look around America and take up fishing.
They say drink a lot of water, exercise, eat healthy, and stay positive, if you want to live a long life. I'm going with drink a little beer, play video poker until my ass hurts, have a steak and fried chicken every now and then, and raise just about as much hell as I can get away with. While I may not make it to 83, I sure intend on having some fun clawing my way towards 61.
If there is a passage that diverts our attention away from charity and compassion, it should be removed. The same holds true for the Koran and Torah. It is recorded that Confucius said, "Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself." Five centuries later, Christ taught the Golden Rule with similar words. That is the whole of it. Of the Abrahamic religions, not much more matters than the nurturing of compassion. Compassion is what brings us to God, not endless words, doctrines, creeds, or hatred.
People are getting all excited about the protracted Democratic Primary and the friction that has developed between the candidates. Most of the hoopla is coming from the right-wing press. Apparently, all of a sudden, a party primary is suppose to be a hand-holding, "Oh, let's be nice," affair. Well, I couldn't be happier about the developments. The right-wingers are making a grievous error, as is anyone who thinks this is bad for the Democratic party. It will do nothing but help. They'll spit out everything about one another before the Republicans get a chance, more clearly and distinctly formulate their opinions, and they'll stay in the news. It won't hurt if it goes all the way to the convention floor. That would make for a real thriller, and probably be more popular than "American Idol." McCain was a quick and poor choice for the Republicans. The right-wing press will be able to help him for a while, but that clamor will wear thin, real quick. McCain will end up being seen as an old, bitter, right-wing, BushWorld Republican who can only offer us more of the same. Both Clinton or Obama will beat him by at least one million votes and easily win the election, assuming the Republicans do not steal their 3rd election in a row. The going will get tough if that happens again.
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