Today was very busy. At some point I overheard a news broadcast about the Middle East, and it didn't sound good. I haven't had time to check it out.
To be informed, we need to stop what we're doing and really listen.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
I confess to losing track of the news this week. I pick up bits and pieces, but I'm too busy to indulge myself in the details.
We're spending spring break in Kentucky. It's a nice place. Pleasant weather and courteous people. Rolling hills and horse farms. Plenty of sunshine.
I have traveled to every one of the 50 states, and have lived in seven of them. I'm curious about the differences in the regions. Even though nearly every town has a McDonalds and WalMart, I've found that all places I've been to have retained a local flavor.
In Massachusetts, nearly everyone was in a hurry--measuring distance in time rather than miles. Seattle was friendly, and a little different in a nice way. I loved seeing Mt. Rainier tower in the distance. Kansas City is very friendly, but slow on progress. Milwaukee is fun-loving on the one hand, but also serious. St. Louis, my hometown, is generally polite--or it was before the crime rate began to climb. And there are towns like Kirksvilee, Missouri, which serve as extensions of college campuses.
When I'm on the road, I sometimes feel sorry for the people who stay in one town, large or small, all their lives. Though at other times I envy their stability.
I find peace on the road--exploring what lies beyond the bend.
We're spending spring break in Kentucky. It's a nice place. Pleasant weather and courteous people. Rolling hills and horse farms. Plenty of sunshine.
I have traveled to every one of the 50 states, and have lived in seven of them. I'm curious about the differences in the regions. Even though nearly every town has a McDonalds and WalMart, I've found that all places I've been to have retained a local flavor.
In Massachusetts, nearly everyone was in a hurry--measuring distance in time rather than miles. Seattle was friendly, and a little different in a nice way. I loved seeing Mt. Rainier tower in the distance. Kansas City is very friendly, but slow on progress. Milwaukee is fun-loving on the one hand, but also serious. St. Louis, my hometown, is generally polite--or it was before the crime rate began to climb. And there are towns like Kirksvilee, Missouri, which serve as extensions of college campuses.
When I'm on the road, I sometimes feel sorry for the people who stay in one town, large or small, all their lives. Though at other times I envy their stability.
I find peace on the road--exploring what lies beyond the bend.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Needs or Wants
The lesson is usually learned at a fairly young age. It's not, "I need a new toy." Instead, parents instruct the tot to say "I want a new toy." Successful adults learn to separate needs from wants, which is an important life lesson for staying out of trouble.
Unfortunately, not all adults have caught on. They continue to confuse wants with needs, often demanding far more than they should.
Such is the case with our dear leader. He reminds me of Captain Hook who, in the movie "Hook" said, "I want my war." Except that our dear leader is much less concise with his language. We know he wants the war, mostly for the sp(oil)s, but he continues to claim that he needs it. That America needs it.
America needs a new war like she needs an idiot president. Our armed forces are already stretched too thin. Important programs have been cut to free more dollars for weapons. We don't need the two wars we have--and most of us don't want them either. We certainly don't want or need another conflict.
But the war drums continue to beat. Iran has the capability to build nuclear weapons. So do many other countries, not counting those which are already nuclear. Iran took 15 British sailors as prisoners--and released them in good health. Iran is a Muslim country, and proudly so. Oh, and I do believe Iran probably has something called oil.
I pray almost daily that this war will be averted, and so far it has been. The problem is the leaders who preach that war with Iran is a necessity, when really it is only a heart-felt (make that wallet-felt) desire.
We need to sit these people down and teach them something kindergarteners already know.
Unfortunately, not all adults have caught on. They continue to confuse wants with needs, often demanding far more than they should.
Such is the case with our dear leader. He reminds me of Captain Hook who, in the movie "Hook" said, "I want my war." Except that our dear leader is much less concise with his language. We know he wants the war, mostly for the sp(oil)s, but he continues to claim that he needs it. That America needs it.
America needs a new war like she needs an idiot president. Our armed forces are already stretched too thin. Important programs have been cut to free more dollars for weapons. We don't need the two wars we have--and most of us don't want them either. We certainly don't want or need another conflict.
But the war drums continue to beat. Iran has the capability to build nuclear weapons. So do many other countries, not counting those which are already nuclear. Iran took 15 British sailors as prisoners--and released them in good health. Iran is a Muslim country, and proudly so. Oh, and I do believe Iran probably has something called oil.
I pray almost daily that this war will be averted, and so far it has been. The problem is the leaders who preach that war with Iran is a necessity, when really it is only a heart-felt (make that wallet-felt) desire.
We need to sit these people down and teach them something kindergarteners already know.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
"Walking Wednesday"?
The talk in the media often veers toward obesity in children. Extreme examples are cited, such as a 7-year old who weighs well over 100 pounds. Children, they say, don't get enough exercise.
That may be true, but I can't imagine it. I am in the process of raising six boys, and I never had a problem with keeping them active. Making them settle down is another story. Sometimes it seems as if my boys are constantly moving. My six perpetual motion machines have never been at threat for obesity.
I have taken some common sense steps such as limiting junk food. That's a no-brainer to me. Give the kids water and juice (real juice, not the sugary substitute) instead of soda. Don't allow them to endlessly eat candy or chew gum. Don't buy chips regularly--most of them are loaded with MSG, which causes many health risks. Don't feed them junk food. Learn how to cook a real dinner.
Last night's news brought video of elementary school children participating in "Walking Wednesday." Every Wednesday, at one school, the students go for a walk at noon. They had something similar when I was a kid. We called it recess.
My 17-year old has a different take on the reason for concerns of obesity in kids. He suggests they may be so doped up on Ritalin that they don't get the exercise they need. It's possible.
I'm more inclined to blame video games. My three youngest do play computer games on the weekends and school holidays--though not all summer. We don't own a video game system. I've seen how too much activity of this sort affects my kids' attitudes. Forget it.
We eat food loaded with chemical ingredients we can't pronounce. We drink water from plastic bottles (she said, taking another sip). And our children must be taught how to walk and run because apparently they've forgotten how to be active simply as an expression of childhood.
Are these characteristics of a civilized society, or one in decline?
As you can probably tell, I feel passionate about this topic. Children run, jump, laugh, and play. That is the nature of children. If they are failing to do what comes naturally, it must be because we are failing them.
That may be true, but I can't imagine it. I am in the process of raising six boys, and I never had a problem with keeping them active. Making them settle down is another story. Sometimes it seems as if my boys are constantly moving. My six perpetual motion machines have never been at threat for obesity.
I have taken some common sense steps such as limiting junk food. That's a no-brainer to me. Give the kids water and juice (real juice, not the sugary substitute) instead of soda. Don't allow them to endlessly eat candy or chew gum. Don't buy chips regularly--most of them are loaded with MSG, which causes many health risks. Don't feed them junk food. Learn how to cook a real dinner.
Last night's news brought video of elementary school children participating in "Walking Wednesday." Every Wednesday, at one school, the students go for a walk at noon. They had something similar when I was a kid. We called it recess.
My 17-year old has a different take on the reason for concerns of obesity in kids. He suggests they may be so doped up on Ritalin that they don't get the exercise they need. It's possible.
I'm more inclined to blame video games. My three youngest do play computer games on the weekends and school holidays--though not all summer. We don't own a video game system. I've seen how too much activity of this sort affects my kids' attitudes. Forget it.
We eat food loaded with chemical ingredients we can't pronounce. We drink water from plastic bottles (she said, taking another sip). And our children must be taught how to walk and run because apparently they've forgotten how to be active simply as an expression of childhood.
Are these characteristics of a civilized society, or one in decline?
As you can probably tell, I feel passionate about this topic. Children run, jump, laugh, and play. That is the nature of children. If they are failing to do what comes naturally, it must be because we are failing them.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Labels
British sailors have been released from Iran.
Syria took part in the arrangements for the release.
Are Iran and Syria really terrorist states?
Or can a terrorist state be defined as one which invades another country on false premises?
Syria took part in the arrangements for the release.
Are Iran and Syria really terrorist states?
Or can a terrorist state be defined as one which invades another country on false premises?
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
Notes from Ohio
I'm on the road tonight, writing this from a motel near Cleveland.
Our car radio picks up mostly country music and static, but I've managed to keep up with the news. Nothing new, really. More war. More partisanship. More tragedy--this week in Somalia and the Solomon Islands.
I met someone who asked me when I became a Muslim. My usual answer is that I converted when hostages were being held in Iran. That answer has a different meaning these days.
"Forrest Gump" is on TV right now. War, civil rights, disease. Not much has changed.
I plan to be back home tomorrow, though I may not post. It depends on how much we choose to enjoy the scenery along the way, and if we opt for the back roads or the much faster, if more expensive, toll highways.
Happy trails to all.
Our car radio picks up mostly country music and static, but I've managed to keep up with the news. Nothing new, really. More war. More partisanship. More tragedy--this week in Somalia and the Solomon Islands.
I met someone who asked me when I became a Muslim. My usual answer is that I converted when hostages were being held in Iran. That answer has a different meaning these days.
"Forrest Gump" is on TV right now. War, civil rights, disease. Not much has changed.
I plan to be back home tomorrow, though I may not post. It depends on how much we choose to enjoy the scenery along the way, and if we opt for the back roads or the much faster, if more expensive, toll highways.
Happy trails to all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
