A police state. . Or not. How???
Today's technology seems to allow us to head towards a police state with surveillance cameras and drones and smart weapons and police in dramatic body armour. We appear to be living in movies such as Robocop or Blade Runner or many other similar science fiction/speculative fiction movies.
There is a lot of fear going around and around in the media... both fake and real. The quantity of frightening news does not necessarily reflect reality and the true statistical risks yet people/we/I am afraid with at least anecdotal evidence.
Thus it is easy for me to not be worried about surveillance cameras because I am law abiding and most people I know are law abiding and is privacy so precious?
Interestingly .. are those who willing give away their privacy to the cameras the same people who will not register or allow background check for guns?
I am worried that a "benign" police state is developing and that at some point it will be corrupted and will no longer be a "benign" state. As was said in "Blade Runner": "the score, pal. You're not cop, you're little people!" The guns of the State... the weapons and information... in general the resources of the State surpass that of individual and even groups of gun owners. So WORRY!
And ask and if you can answer - how do we avoid the development of a Police State in these United States of America?
The questions needs asking and answering as today we see powerful persons who have legitimate power attacking important parts of their own legitimating institutions of power. In movies and on TV we see legitimate police groups having standoff against each other. Jurisdiction disputes, who gets control over suspects/prisoners, who gets ALL the information, undercover operations with no good oversight, etc... etc.. Such is SCARY for a mere, regular citizen who pays for a lot of those police. AND THEN... there are standoffs between police of the state (federal, state, local) and police of corporations! CRAZY!
What can be done? Who is in charge? Who has the power? What buttons are available to whom? What might set off something catastrophic?
It is either a matter of when or a matter of change... Changing something(s) so a police state is not necessary or possible.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Friday, August 24, 2018
What to do... and why!? AND HOW !!!
I've seen a lot and heard a lot and I have many thoughts and ideas about what to do to make things better and better for all. As to why? The answer to that question is probably found in what people call "wisdom literature" such as The Bible, the Koran, the Buddhist writings, Greek philosophy, etc, etc... The REAL question is: HOW?
How can all people have a decent if not a great life. How can all people have a great life? How do we fairly and effectively and efficiently distribute goods and services to all.... How do we handle, peacefully and lovingly... differences in needs and abilities and wants and efforts?
I would agree that BASICALLY --- it would be nice, good, and POSSIBLE to live up to the saying: "To each according to their needs, from each according to their abilities". Needs are met first and then abilities and efforts and desires can follow based on individual choices. We can adequately feed and clothe and shelter everyone. Determining what is "ADEQUATE" is an important question since a certain amount of resources for private pleasures has to be part of "adequate". BUT - NO: bread and circuses!!!!
One key to a better future world, in my opinion, is a decrease in the global population and that will come either in peace or love or in war or some other catastrophe. Another question then is: who shall initiate the change? Shall the change be initiated in love or hate? In peace or in war? With medicine or with infection?
I put forth this challenge ... in this post and it will appear in other posts: DEMONSTRATE AND PROVE SOME WAY FORWARD.... WITH OR WITHOUT HORRIFIC DEATH AND SUFFERING. I think and hope it can be done!
How can all people have a decent if not a great life. How can all people have a great life? How do we fairly and effectively and efficiently distribute goods and services to all.... How do we handle, peacefully and lovingly... differences in needs and abilities and wants and efforts?
I would agree that BASICALLY --- it would be nice, good, and POSSIBLE to live up to the saying: "To each according to their needs, from each according to their abilities". Needs are met first and then abilities and efforts and desires can follow based on individual choices. We can adequately feed and clothe and shelter everyone. Determining what is "ADEQUATE" is an important question since a certain amount of resources for private pleasures has to be part of "adequate". BUT - NO: bread and circuses!!!!
One key to a better future world, in my opinion, is a decrease in the global population and that will come either in peace or love or in war or some other catastrophe. Another question then is: who shall initiate the change? Shall the change be initiated in love or hate? In peace or in war? With medicine or with infection?
I put forth this challenge ... in this post and it will appear in other posts: DEMONSTRATE AND PROVE SOME WAY FORWARD.... WITH OR WITHOUT HORRIFIC DEATH AND SUFFERING. I think and hope it can be done!
Monday, August 20, 2018
Affirmation....affirmation...AFFIRMING PURPOSE
It is not that affirmations make things positive... Or do they?
It is not that being positive makes things positive... Or does it?
From Reb Nachman of Bratslav:
One affirmation:
SO -- both the affirmations above make sense to me.... G-d is most important AND G-d teaches... in a variety of ways... AND what we do, how we feel as we behave.... makes a difference. WE THE PEOPLE of this Creation!... establish the feelings and nature of this Creation. The feelings of creation is our purpose!!
It is not that being positive makes things positive... Or does it?
From Reb Nachman of Bratslav:
One affirmation:
I believe I am very important in the eyes of G-d.
I believe I can return no matter how far I have strayed.
I believe I have in the inner strength to change.
I believe I can become truly devoted and close to G-d.
A second affirmation.... a set:
“When asked how things are and, despite hardships or suffering you answer “Good” then G-d says, “You call this good? I’ll show you what good really is!”
“When asked how things are, don’t whine and grumble about hardships. If you answer “Lousy” then G-d says, “You call this bad? I’ll show you what bad really is!”
SO -- both the affirmations above make sense to me.... G-d is most important AND G-d teaches... in a variety of ways... AND what we do, how we feel as we behave.... makes a difference. WE THE PEOPLE of this Creation!... establish the feelings and nature of this Creation. The feelings of creation is our purpose!!
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
a musician....
Me a musician ???? Maybe. And you??? Perhaps.
I was called a musician yesterday when I told someone I played the piano ... classical... and sang in a chorus... etc... I do know how to play piano and use it for help with my choral singing. I don't play too much.. or "practice"... but I think about doing it as it usually pleasant and rewarding personally while I hope to play for family, friend, friends, etc... if I ever get some pieces really together. As for my singing... I have been part of the University Chorus here in Davis, CA for many years and other chorus' in my life including the All-City High School Chorus in New York City - under the batons of Peter J. Wilhousky. and then John Motley in the mid-1960's Very nice! And for over 20 years I have helped at my Jewish congregation as an amateur cantor on the High Holidays and at other times during the year. I guess I am musically inclined and do music "service" and "services".
NICE! Very nice!
Back to the PIANO.. I really "should" play/practice more/some! Saying it doesn't make it so -- doing it is the thing. Right after I finish this post??? YES... so I am now done with this post... and off to the piano (which came from winnings at Las Vegas years and years ago.... !!! - Thanks Stu, may you rest in peace, who gave me instruction in playing Craps).
I was called a musician yesterday when I told someone I played the piano ... classical... and sang in a chorus... etc... I do know how to play piano and use it for help with my choral singing. I don't play too much.. or "practice"... but I think about doing it as it usually pleasant and rewarding personally while I hope to play for family, friend, friends, etc... if I ever get some pieces really together. As for my singing... I have been part of the University Chorus here in Davis, CA for many years and other chorus' in my life including the All-City High School Chorus in New York City - under the batons of Peter J. Wilhousky. and then John Motley in the mid-1960's Very nice! And for over 20 years I have helped at my Jewish congregation as an amateur cantor on the High Holidays and at other times during the year. I guess I am musically inclined and do music "service" and "services".
NICE! Very nice!
Back to the PIANO.. I really "should" play/practice more/some! Saying it doesn't make it so -- doing it is the thing. Right after I finish this post??? YES... so I am now done with this post... and off to the piano (which came from winnings at Las Vegas years and years ago.... !!! - Thanks Stu, may you rest in peace, who gave me instruction in playing Craps).
Saturday, August 11, 2018
squeaky clean... grossly grungy!
People say... all politicians are corrupt and tell lies and never keep promises, etc. etc... In other words: all politicians are bad. They are never good.
These negative views about politicians have been gaining more and more public airing in the past several years and this negativity is, to begin with: NEGATIVITY. And such negativity is directly about our basic democracy and system of government.
This began, I think, during the time when Republicans gained control of Congress and began to vote as a block and often blocked legislation for which some compromise might have been found. This was, I think, the Newt Gingrich era and it was a turn away from American federal democracy towards a modified form of parliamentary democracy. The modification being there was no "votes of NO-confidence" resulting in new elections (as in Great Britain and other parliamentary democracies) and there was no monolithic opposition party as Democrats did not vote, at least in those earlier days, as a block and a blockage.
SO -- the American democratic system became more and more divided and grid-locked and just plain NASTY.
The nastiness has grown into probes of the personal lives of politicians and suspicions about politicians using the system for their own personal gain. In other words - politics has become personal. AND the personal nature of politics supports the idea that individuals act firstly for their own individual and personal interests. Personal politics often does not and will not look at the big pictures of the needs of the many. Personal politics will look for the needs and support of some effective and loyal few with the knowledge/evidence that fewer and fewer people vote in elections and so an active minority can win control of the system/government.
It was a minority of voters nationwide who voted in our current President. An old view of the American democracy which worried about the "tyranny of the majority" has changed into a modern problem of the "tyranny of the minority". Interesting?
To return to the point about corruption and bad morals and unethical behaviours being attributed to all politicians... I suggest the following:
Firstly - "all and never" are usually exaggerations.
Secondly - few people are squeaky clean.
Thirdly - and MOST IMPORTANTLY --- Being grossly grungy... doing bad things out loud and shamelessly is THE PROBLEM TODAY.
The current President and many in his administration lie, lie, lie... With impunity and out loud and with apparently few consequences. I rather think he lies more and is more corrupt then other politicians if for no other reason then if he is corrupt like all politicians then the usual hidden political corruption is there and then added to that is the gross, public, and shameless corruption and lies he tweets and asserts.
Trump said, before getting elected ... he could get away with shooting someone in Times Square.... And we are seeing that happening. Sad.
These negative views about politicians have been gaining more and more public airing in the past several years and this negativity is, to begin with: NEGATIVITY. And such negativity is directly about our basic democracy and system of government.
This began, I think, during the time when Republicans gained control of Congress and began to vote as a block and often blocked legislation for which some compromise might have been found. This was, I think, the Newt Gingrich era and it was a turn away from American federal democracy towards a modified form of parliamentary democracy. The modification being there was no "votes of NO-confidence" resulting in new elections (as in Great Britain and other parliamentary democracies) and there was no monolithic opposition party as Democrats did not vote, at least in those earlier days, as a block and a blockage.
SO -- the American democratic system became more and more divided and grid-locked and just plain NASTY.
The nastiness has grown into probes of the personal lives of politicians and suspicions about politicians using the system for their own personal gain. In other words - politics has become personal. AND the personal nature of politics supports the idea that individuals act firstly for their own individual and personal interests. Personal politics often does not and will not look at the big pictures of the needs of the many. Personal politics will look for the needs and support of some effective and loyal few with the knowledge/evidence that fewer and fewer people vote in elections and so an active minority can win control of the system/government.
It was a minority of voters nationwide who voted in our current President. An old view of the American democracy which worried about the "tyranny of the majority" has changed into a modern problem of the "tyranny of the minority". Interesting?
To return to the point about corruption and bad morals and unethical behaviours being attributed to all politicians... I suggest the following:
Firstly - "all and never" are usually exaggerations.
Secondly - few people are squeaky clean.
Thirdly - and MOST IMPORTANTLY --- Being grossly grungy... doing bad things out loud and shamelessly is THE PROBLEM TODAY.
The current President and many in his administration lie, lie, lie... With impunity and out loud and with apparently few consequences. I rather think he lies more and is more corrupt then other politicians if for no other reason then if he is corrupt like all politicians then the usual hidden political corruption is there and then added to that is the gross, public, and shameless corruption and lies he tweets and asserts.
Trump said, before getting elected ... he could get away with shooting someone in Times Square.... And we are seeing that happening. Sad.
Wednesday, August 08, 2018
Experience
Experience... very important... And where do we get experiences? From our day to day lives and from stories our friends and family have... and from books and movies and plays...
And who has the most experience? Well... hard to tell and if you say to someone -- I have more experience then you... and I am older and wiser and you will never have more experience than me... that is POWER... and in fact a child gets hurt by such power... and it is not fair nor is it true.
SO many LIES.... I grew up with so many statements and assertions which were lies, power plays... and essentially abusive!
I was abused. I am older now and a good deal better... but I guess I have scars and maybe shame, too. I am more embarrassed then ashamed... I may not know the difference and I may not really get SHAME... but I was abused... psychologically and physically... Fortunately not sexual (really) but emotional and the physical and the psychological. It sucked!
Today - 50 or so years later that past still is remembered. Forgotten - NO. Forgiven -- well not so much as the perpetrators have never asked for my forgiveness nor do I expect they ever will. They think they were right, I'm sure... Nevertheless - I forgive myself since that is all that is possible AND I stay away from them (parents and sister... even as they are alive) ... for that distant past and for psychological stuff done even in the last 5 to 10 years.
It is interesting to think I was treated so badly partly because I was a male... and it is a question as to what my sister experienced... she who is 65 years old (I'm 69) and who is tied at the hip to her parents... and who never married or had a family of her own... Probably saved some children from the cycle of abuse... maybe... Who knows? I used to care... and I didn't do enough, I think, when I might have.. I didn't want the responsibility... for how she might have fared if she ever broke with her mom and dad... I guess I once was ashamed of shirking that task... that responsibility?
We are in many ways responsible for others.. some close, some distant, some family, some strangers... and I am ashamed of the many things I could/might have done for others that were not done..
EXPERIENCE... it comes from many sources and it comes in time... And maybe I am ok... Or good enough ... OR FINE.
And who has the most experience? Well... hard to tell and if you say to someone -- I have more experience then you... and I am older and wiser and you will never have more experience than me... that is POWER... and in fact a child gets hurt by such power... and it is not fair nor is it true.
SO many LIES.... I grew up with so many statements and assertions which were lies, power plays... and essentially abusive!
I was abused. I am older now and a good deal better... but I guess I have scars and maybe shame, too. I am more embarrassed then ashamed... I may not know the difference and I may not really get SHAME... but I was abused... psychologically and physically... Fortunately not sexual (really) but emotional and the physical and the psychological. It sucked!
Today - 50 or so years later that past still is remembered. Forgotten - NO. Forgiven -- well not so much as the perpetrators have never asked for my forgiveness nor do I expect they ever will. They think they were right, I'm sure... Nevertheless - I forgive myself since that is all that is possible AND I stay away from them (parents and sister... even as they are alive) ... for that distant past and for psychological stuff done even in the last 5 to 10 years.
It is interesting to think I was treated so badly partly because I was a male... and it is a question as to what my sister experienced... she who is 65 years old (I'm 69) and who is tied at the hip to her parents... and who never married or had a family of her own... Probably saved some children from the cycle of abuse... maybe... Who knows? I used to care... and I didn't do enough, I think, when I might have.. I didn't want the responsibility... for how she might have fared if she ever broke with her mom and dad... I guess I once was ashamed of shirking that task... that responsibility?
We are in many ways responsible for others.. some close, some distant, some family, some strangers... and I am ashamed of the many things I could/might have done for others that were not done..
EXPERIENCE... it comes from many sources and it comes in time... And maybe I am ok... Or good enough ... OR FINE.
Tuesday, August 07, 2018
Bully, bully.... - I'm sorry!?
Being a bully is possible especially if you are big and loud and can appear angry and have some willingness to be physical. The physical threat is possible because of size and sounds and also stories which are essentially threatening.
I remember hearing a story about how a father got so angry with his son he chased him, caught him, and beat him until other men had to tear him away .... before he might have killed his own child. Scary, maybe true, and certainly threatening.
I am in my late 60's now and I have learned to not be a bully. I never meant to be a bully and yet sometimes I am sure I was viewed as such. I am glad to have learned now rather then waiting til I was older and perhaps not able to be a bully.... though then there is always words which can be harmful.... and sometimes words can be as nasty as a strap/belt...
In the end --- sticks and stones may break bones ... but words - even words absurdly mean ... cannot harm me. OR WILL not harm me.
Words and sticks and stones, etc... do harm relationships and sometimes destroy them for all time.
Can recognizing the wrong done, expressing remorse, apologizing, making amends, and promising/actually never again doing that which was harmful... make things better? Maybe and maybe not. Some times amends cannot be made.... the harm meant was psychological... and spiritual... and the psych and soul are hard to heal. Can things be forgotten? Maybe, maybe not. Can there be forgiveness... of the other? of yourself... YES...
Forgiveness is very important for all parties and the best forgiveness is that which is given after being requested... with request composed of recognition, remorse, apology, restitution, and an end of the bad behavior... While it is possible to forgive oneself ... I don't think it is as good as a mutual coming together of aggrieved parties.. either for themselves or for others in their wider community. BUT - people in the 20th and now the 21st century have sets of personal problems with apologizing and forgiving. TOO BAD!
I remember hearing a story about how a father got so angry with his son he chased him, caught him, and beat him until other men had to tear him away .... before he might have killed his own child. Scary, maybe true, and certainly threatening.
I am in my late 60's now and I have learned to not be a bully. I never meant to be a bully and yet sometimes I am sure I was viewed as such. I am glad to have learned now rather then waiting til I was older and perhaps not able to be a bully.... though then there is always words which can be harmful.... and sometimes words can be as nasty as a strap/belt...
In the end --- sticks and stones may break bones ... but words - even words absurdly mean ... cannot harm me. OR WILL not harm me.
Words and sticks and stones, etc... do harm relationships and sometimes destroy them for all time.
Can recognizing the wrong done, expressing remorse, apologizing, making amends, and promising/actually never again doing that which was harmful... make things better? Maybe and maybe not. Some times amends cannot be made.... the harm meant was psychological... and spiritual... and the psych and soul are hard to heal. Can things be forgotten? Maybe, maybe not. Can there be forgiveness... of the other? of yourself... YES...
Forgiveness is very important for all parties and the best forgiveness is that which is given after being requested... with request composed of recognition, remorse, apology, restitution, and an end of the bad behavior... While it is possible to forgive oneself ... I don't think it is as good as a mutual coming together of aggrieved parties.. either for themselves or for others in their wider community. BUT - people in the 20th and now the 21st century have sets of personal problems with apologizing and forgiving. TOO BAD!
Thursday, August 02, 2018
The (birthday) Trick
I posted the following on Facebook today, Aug. 2, 2018
"What is The Trick... Today, on my birthday.... as I have aged and maybe... "sage'd" The Trick is to learn, grow, get things better, maybe achieve some wisdom -- and then share all that carefully and appropriately... A word that comes to mind is: "subtle". Another word... "gentle". We ALL need help and getting it and giving it and accepting it.... is one of those things some do well and others not so well. FORGIVENESS for good intentions is a useful trait. Asking for Forgiveness is a good thing to do... and as the High Holidays arrive .... how to seek and give forgiveness is one of those annual things I think about. Best to you all - if its YOUR birthday - Happy Birthday - if it is not -- Happy Unbirthday! And many returns of the day."
And life is good... and GRATITUDE is good... and lots of things are good.
I know..... often - what is good and what is bad... what is better and what is worse. I know that and can act on that for myself. When I know that for an "other" ... it is primarily an ASSUMPTION... although it may be right, better, etc... REALLY -- it is always up to the "other" to find and do their way. THE problem is when there is pain what to do? Helping someone up... stemming the bleeding... JUST BEING THERE... so often seems inadequate and yet ... being there is SO BIG.... in so many cases. "To be or not to be" and Shakespeare has his ideas and we all have our ideas, too, from day to day, moment to moment.
Blessings.
"What is The Trick... Today, on my birthday.... as I have aged and maybe... "sage'd" The Trick is to learn, grow, get things better, maybe achieve some wisdom -- and then share all that carefully and appropriately... A word that comes to mind is: "subtle". Another word... "gentle". We ALL need help and getting it and giving it and accepting it.... is one of those things some do well and others not so well. FORGIVENESS for good intentions is a useful trait. Asking for Forgiveness is a good thing to do... and as the High Holidays arrive .... how to seek and give forgiveness is one of those annual things I think about. Best to you all - if its YOUR birthday - Happy Birthday - if it is not -- Happy Unbirthday! And many returns of the day."
And life is good... and GRATITUDE is good... and lots of things are good.
I know..... often - what is good and what is bad... what is better and what is worse. I know that and can act on that for myself. When I know that for an "other" ... it is primarily an ASSUMPTION... although it may be right, better, etc... REALLY -- it is always up to the "other" to find and do their way. THE problem is when there is pain what to do? Helping someone up... stemming the bleeding... JUST BEING THERE... so often seems inadequate and yet ... being there is SO BIG.... in so many cases. "To be or not to be" and Shakespeare has his ideas and we all have our ideas, too, from day to day, moment to moment.
Blessings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)