The triple blessed
Posted by Andrew on Jun 30, 2008
I think that among the billions of lives which walk this earth, there are those forunate few who have been triple blessed:
1. Blessed with an understanding of Truth
2. Blessed with the courage to speak the Truth
3. Blessed with the charisma to be liked for speaking the Truth
And Truth, in the sense that’s used here in this post, does not describe just 1 thing, but rather a multitude of items. It is truth about the current welfare and being of the Earth, it is about the myraid type of relationships that exist between man and his fellows, it is about the destiny of each species, and it is about the changes that are constant.
In my opinion, George Carlin was one of these individuals. As everyone likely knows by now, Mr. Carlin died about a week ago (June 22, 2008). As a comedian, Carlin was able to brand his form of truth under the disguise of entertainment and thereby reached an entire generation of people. His now infamous “7 Words You Can’t Say on Television” was the basis for the US Supreme court case F.C.C vs. Pacifica Foundation, and now will always remain the strongest footnote in the idea of freedom of speech.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Carlin - while I did enjoy most of his routines, and admire his mastery of the English language, I was born at the tail end of his career where he had become a bit too pessimistic. Many of his earlier works were definitely groundbreaking, and led the way for the most of the 70s population to open their minds to the un-thinkable; but his most recent routines were too drenched in cynicism and an overly-strong disgust in his own heritage. He was bitter in his old age.
But, nevertheless, Carlin saw clearly his own version of the Truth and he was bold enough to pass it on to others. And his charm and ability to entertain enabled it to be a willing accepted message. Whether or not his Truth is one that I share completely, I do admire him and believed that he was one of those “Triply blessed” individuals.
I hope, that in his new and current surroundings, he has an opportunity to expand on his Truth.
Conservatives of Liberalism
Posted by Andrew on Jun 20, 2008
Earlier today, I came upon the below AP story on the SFGATE.com website. It basically describes the mistakes of a teacher in Ohio who had caused quite a rucus about the teaching of religion in public schools.
But I think what is more interesting than the news story, is the comments that were written by various readers, the majority of which immediately condemn the teacher (a Mr. John Freshwater) for abusing the children and for trying to pass off religious crock onto susceptible young minds.
And like most comments attached to topics of religion, sex, and race, the commenters eventually degenerated into name calling and personal attacks in order to proclaim his/her own points of view.
Now, while I think most everyone expects those with extremely devoted religious views (individuals labelled as “conservatives”) to argue and defend this teacher’s attempt to bring religion into public classrooms; I think that those advocating the tar and feathering of this “religious nut” ought to be careful of themselves as well.
Presently there is a belief that the world population as a whole is moving into a more open-minded / “liberal” state. We believe in racial equality, we believe in sexual equality, and we believe that the environment deserves to be saved. And that is all fine and great, and lovely as a rainbow - but some individuals who advocate these “liberal” changes are often endanger of becoming “conservatives” themselves.
They walk the line of what I have come to call “conservatives of liberalism”.
We have to remember that “keeping an open-mind” means allowing the free opinions of others and making a honest-to-goodness effort to understand our “opponents.” We cannot simply shut out “conservative” ideas simply because they are deemed too traditional or too limited, or too “anything.”
We can believe in the rights of same-sex couples to marry, but we must at the same time make an effort to honestly listen to those advocating “traditional marriages.” We can put our belief 100% in a joyous society of mixed spirituality and race, but we must also make the effort to embrace those that advocate separatism.
Don’t be so hung up on living an “open-minded” life by closing your mind to the “close minded.”
If we do not, we are in danger of being conservatives of our own liberalism - then anyone who is not a liberal is immediately wrong or vice-versa. Remember that “liberals” and “conservatives” are just labels (and most of the time, they are extremely inadequate labels).
The AP story below made a good example. Commenters had split themselves into 2 camps, those advocating the goodness of Mr. Freshwater’s attempt to bring truth and religion into the classroom, and those that were disgusted with his attempt to integrate church and state. But, this teacher, his students, the town, the school district, the whole event happened in Ohio - the commenters, the news story, the opinions were all in San Francisco. There were no real details, no testimony of facts by any of the students, parents, or the teacher himself. We don’t know what happened and why. But, everyone (liberals, conservatives, and others) were ready to cast judgment and shout at the top of their lungs to defend their own idea of what the “right” course of action should be. Each side believed the other was wrong and each side believed the other was close-minded.
Be open-minded, don’t be close-minded even to the close-minded.
Ohio board reviews report of teacher burning kids
By DOUG WHITEMAN, Associated Press Writer | Friday, June 20, 2008
Members of the Mount Vernon school board met Friday to discuss a finding that a middle school teacher preached his Christian beliefs despite staff complaints, even using a device to burn the image of a cross on students’ arms.
Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater also taught creationism in his science class and was insubordinate in failing to remove a Bible and other religious materials from his classroom, a report by independent investigators said.
School board members gathered a day after consulting firm H.R. On Call Inc. released its report. It wasn’t immediately clear what action, if any, officials in the community about 40 miles northeast of Columbus would take against Freshwater.
Superintendent Stephen Short declined to comment before the meeting. Freshwater’s attorney, Roger Weaver, didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment.
The report comes one week after a family filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Columbus against Freshwater and the school district, saying Freshwater burned a cross on their child’s arm that remained for three or four weeks.
Freshwater’s friend Dave Daubenmire defended him.
“With the exception of the cross-burning episode … I believe John Freshwater is teaching the values of the parents in the Mount Vernon school district,” he told The Columbus Dispatch for a story published Friday.
Several students interviewed by investigators described Freshwater, who has been employed by the district for 21 years, as a great guy.
But Lynda Weston, the district’s director of teaching and learning, told investigators that she has dealt with complaints about Freshwater for much of her 11-year term at the district, the report said.
A former superintendent, Jeff Maley, said he tried to find another position for Freshwater but couldn’t because he was certified only in science, the report said.
Freshwater used a science tool known as a high-frequency generator to burn images of a cross on students’ arms in December, the report said. Freshwater told investigators he simply was trying to demonstrate the device on several students and described the images as an “X,” not a cross. But pictures show a cross, the report said.
Other findings show that Freshwater taught that carbon dating was unreliable to argue
The true meaning of Choice
Posted by Andrew on Jun 17, 2008
Every so often, along the ever winding path of life, we are called upon to make a decision at the fork of a road. It is at these points of choosing, these cusps, where we not only learn of what truly lies within ourselves, but also where we, by choosing correctly, grow and develop into a stronger and more mature being.
The culmination of all that we were, all that we have learned, seen, and experienced is called upon to aid us in that choosing. It is at the here and now that we must live up to those choices, be they for or against our hopes, be they what we desired or feared. To avoid that choice is to turn directly away from our own sequential stages of development; for without choice we are simply mindless automatons proceeding from moment to moment, merely mimicking the gray shadows of what would have been a vibrant life.
Choice in and of itself is a demonstration of all that is unique and praise-worthy of the human mind. It is not something that should be done lightly, but rather weighed and selected with the greatest of care. Be it the small difference between good and bad, or bad and worse, choice is growth.
I have regrets - but at least I have chosen.
Human Frailty
Posted by Andrew on Jun 16, 2008
The human body is so very fragile. It is opened to influence by the physical, the mental, spiritual, and emotional. It can be battered just as strongly by hurricane winds as it can be by the longing for a missed lover. It can be healed through rest and medication, just as much as it can be healed through prayer and joy. The human body is our anchor to this particular plane of existence, and though the average body will have experiences beyond measure, it is only a fleeting moment within the tumultuous river of time.
When we are young, it almost seems that our body is beyond the reach of any harm, and is capable of boundless energy and creativity. But as we grow older (and for some, wiser), the terrible realization dawns on us that we are not immortal. That there will indeed be an end to what our bodies are capable of doing. There will be an end to the jumping, running, and even walking. And for most, that end comes overwhelmingly too soon.
We often lack the knowledge of our own mortality until it is too late, until the cure is almost beyond reach. Then, it becomes a fight against father time, a fight that mortals are almost always doomed to loose. But the key word is “almost.”
As fragile as our bodies can be, it is also capable of much wonder. When comforted with the love of our family, friends, spouse, or children, the body’s ability to heal is beyond miraculous. A focused mind, a fulfilled heart, and a tranquil life often brings speedy healing to the most deadly of diseases. They physical elements are not the only influence (bad or good) that can affect us, the many other facets of existence cannot be underestimated. Body, Mind, and Spirit. United as well, all things are possible.
Destiny
Posted by Andrew on Jun 16, 2008
Destiny often plays hide and seek with us. At times when we are certain that our destined path is simply around the corner, we may find that we’ve actually wandered far from it. The end of our journey seldom resembles what we’ve been picturing from the start. Do we then despair and scream that our ending was less than ideal? Or do we heave a sigh of relief that even at the end of an eventful life, we can still be surprised?
Independence of the Self
Posted by Andrew on Jun 16, 2008
There is no point in doing something, simply for the sake of doing it. There is no need to yield under the invisible rules of the clock, nor that of society. Simply because it is time to go to bed, does not mean you have to go to bed, simply because it is time to wake up does not mean you have to wake up.
There is always a choice at every single moment in your life, never do things simply because it is expected of you or that you think is expected of you. Do things when you want to.
Never yield to any rules not made by your own mind, the only law that should really be taken into consideration are the ones that you have chosen or that you have made for yourself.
True independence comes from realizing that you are your own guide, your own master. you hold the choice to every single decision in your life. And in the end it is you that those choices will affect. Make those choices but always be aware that you will have to take responsibilities for them.
That realization is what allows man to grow and to evolve. It allows him to move on to the next stage of development. Relying on a rule that is not of your own choosing? That is tantamount to death.
Because without choice, there is no life.
The lure of money is a trap
Posted by Andrew on Jun 16, 2008
Now that graduation is here, I feel that I should write something to fill the void of summer break and enlighten the minds of this new graduating class.
Prior to the summer break, everyone tends to be busy with schoolwork (except for the few of us, namely myself, who waste no time with silly lectures and pointless tests; but instead seek the ultimate preparation of life and the ultimate understanding/accomplishment of more important goals) and preparing for finals.
That being the case, I shall now lighten your scantron-filling humdrum lives with my ever provocative philosophical mumble jumbles.
Goals. The only reason each of you are busy with school (or even IN school) is mainly because you all want a degree/career that will provide substantial wealth which will bring stability and happiness into your lives. That being the case, you must work hard at retaining, otherwise pointless, information. Since that is your goal. Let me do a little calculation for you.
Bill Gates, when he was 40, had about 60 billion dollars. To have acquired that wealth means that (if he started working since age 0, which is impossible, but will be used for illustrative purposes):
$60,000,000,000.00 / 40 years = $1,500,000,000.00
$1,500,000,000.00 / 52 weeks = $28,846,153.85
$28,846,153.85 / 40 hrs = $721,153.85
which means, to acquire that amount he would have had to earn over 7 hundred thousand dollars per HOUR for 40 years ever since BIRTH.
To put that into perspective…top Lawyers and doctors earn $400.00 per hour. Which means:
$400.00 x 40 hrs per week = $16,000.00
$16,000.00 x 52 weeks = $832,000.00
$832,000.00 x 40 years = $33,280,000.00
Most graduates are about 20 years of age, with 20 more years left before age 40. And if at this moment each were to make what top doctors and lawyers make for the next 20 years…it would still not even be within 1% of what Mr. Gates made.
I think it is then obvious that tremendous wealth (or even good wealth) cannot come from a degree that tells society we are ‘doctors’ or ‘lawyers’ or ‘computer programmers’ or ‘engineers.’
Imagine if you were given your degree at the moment of your birth – you would still be no where near the billions that the top earners in the world make.
So that’s: 6 years of grade school, 2 years of middle school, 4 years of high school, 4 years of undergrad, 2-4 years of grad school, then for the really ambitious doctors/lawyers there is at least 6-10 years of ‘training’ in the field. which means another 10-18 years would go by before you can bring back that wonderous paycheck of $400 per hour. At that point the average work would be 30-38 years of age.
60 billion? 16 million? Count yourself lucky if you get to have enough to buy a hamburger from McDonalds. So, where does that stability and wealth come from if not from school? It is obviously out there somewhere because all around us are people who have reached that level.
Look at Bill Gates (who quit school, by the way), Warren Buffet, John Sobrato, etc.,…there are approximately 100 BILLIONaires in the United States alone. And I can guarantee you that none of those 100 people gain their fortune from any piece of sheepskin marked ‘degree.’
Where does that wealth come from? Since it is not from school, it is ‘out there’ somewhere…
FIND IT.
Finding and claiming your unique paths to success should be your goal friends, not calculating doubly tangent orbits, or charting statistical patterns, or comparing literature, or what have you.
And once you find it…hey…may the knowledge be shared.
Happy Graduation 
Speak Life Speak
Posted by Andrew on Jun 16, 2008
Speak, life, speak
Tell me a story
Tell me of wonders and regrets,
Speak to me of passion and pain.
Describe for me pleasure and loss.
Do not leave out friendship and love.
Speak, life, speak.
Tell me a tale
Tell me it’s beginning and ending,
And leave nothing out in-between
Speak, life, speak
Forver Do I Dream of You
Posted by Andrew on Jun 16, 2008
Before the world was always moving, constantly ever changing,
before the sun’s habitual setting, the moon’s continual rising,
before the first flowers’ blooming, the trees’ original sprouting,
forever did I dream of you.
While the rivers are rapidly flowing, currents always sweeping,
while the tides are timely rising, the waves consistently splashing,
while the wind is silently whispering, the stars steadily twinkling,
forever do I dream of you.
After the world may cease its turning, the sun relinquished its burning,
after the rivers halt its waving, the trees no longer aging,
after the wind has quit its speaking, the stars stopped their shining,
Still, forever will I dream of you.
Persistence
Posted by Andrew on Jun 16, 2008
Another trait found more and more common among human beings (especially young people in their twenties) is blind persistence. We all know of course that persistence itself is a character trait to be praised, but blind persistence borders on simple stupidity.
Last weekend, on my monthly pilgrimage to Fisherman’s Wharf, I spotted an example of this type of persistence at a Starbucks. I had been resting with a bottle of water for about 5 minutes when this
young blonde woman (in San Francisco, it is not enough to simply say “young blonde”, it is best to include more specific adjectives else mis-understandings may occur) walked in.
From the looks of her, she was probably a student, 19-22, and somewhat attractive. The Starbucks was not very crowded (just a couple students and tourists), so I expected her to simply walk to one of the many empty tables and sit down.
Instead, she proceeded to the far corner of the room, and began a slow walk along the perimeter rejecting one table after another. For one brief nano-second I thought perhaps she was overcome by my personal magnetism and was going to sit down next to me…but that idea went out the window when she passed me by without a word (oh well – false hope is also a flaw).
She had rejected just about every table before deciding to take one across from me. But right after she put her backpack down, she began walking the perimeter again, this time going more slowly than her first walk-through. When she reached her seat again, she sat down and removed a laptop from her backpack.
Yes, at this point it became clear that she was looking for a power outlet for her computer. One would think she had given up the search…but one would be wrong. After she took her computer out of her backpack, she again walked the perimeter, this time looking under each table she passed, and moving some of the chairs around, and checking the corners closely.
I sat there slowly sipping my water, resting my legs, and watched her make a total of 8 trips around the perimeter of the store looking for that phantom outlet. She simply would not believe that there was no place to plug in her laptop at a Starbucks. One could compliment her on her undying persistence, her focus on her goal…but then again, one could call her a moron for not seeing the obvious. You decide.
