To the Editor,
New York Times
Re: Age Discrimination (July 7, 2009)
For those of us who have long ago lost count of the number of times we have experienced age discrimination, our response to the recent Supreme Court ruling is an exasperated “What’s new?”
Trying to prove “age discrimination” is tantamount to trying to prove the existence of God at an atheist’s convention. The average citizen would like to think that the “supreme” legal minds of the Court would understand that simple but painful reality.
Question: How many hundreds of thousands of highly qualified workers and job applicants holding advanced degrees, high performance records, and on the job experience have been rejected strictly because of age? Answer: All of them.
The economic cost of rejecting a more qualified worker is lower job performance which translates to lesser competitiveness. Any companies connecting the dots?
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday, July 31, 2009
Letter to Editor New York Times/Wall Street Pay
Let us momentarily accept the disputatious fact that Mrs. O’Leary’s cow really did cause the fire. The argument of whether her cow brought about this historic catastrophe by kicking over the lantern or lighting a match was plenarily irrelevant to those whom abruptly became former home and business owners.
The issue of whether executive bonuses caused the crisis is equally inapposite. Those present day victims of a greed spawned crisis experienced parallel consequences and worse. Their concern is not with the function the absurd, unethical bonuses played in the crisis. Rather, their rage is focused on executives who presided over calamitous failures and were simultaneously rewarded with horrendous dollar amounts inversely proportional to their own and their company’s performance.
To say that these executives did not understand “the risks that were being taken” implicitly blesses their inexcusable greed and notorious imprudence in gambling with the life savings of countless people whose trust they blasphemed. It also rationalizes their failure to effectively “execute” (as in executive) their responsibilities.
To say these C.E.O.’s and kindred titled ilk “cannot be blamed for the crisis” is to also give a pass to Mrs. O’Leary’s cow. Neither these executives nor the cow understood the risks and consequences of their actions. The intolerable rub is the difference in their respective responsibilities and paychecks. Executive compensation is theoretically based on effective performance which is achieved through responsible management. Mrs. O’Leary’s cow was paid (room and board) to give milk.
Through gross dereliction of the responsibility and foresight included in executive job descriptions, financial executives stole the city. With responsibility and foresight not being included in the job description of any bovine, Mrs. O’Leary’s cow burned down the city. In either event, the city is gone.
The cow is forgiven.
The issue of whether executive bonuses caused the crisis is equally inapposite. Those present day victims of a greed spawned crisis experienced parallel consequences and worse. Their concern is not with the function the absurd, unethical bonuses played in the crisis. Rather, their rage is focused on executives who presided over calamitous failures and were simultaneously rewarded with horrendous dollar amounts inversely proportional to their own and their company’s performance.
To say that these executives did not understand “the risks that were being taken” implicitly blesses their inexcusable greed and notorious imprudence in gambling with the life savings of countless people whose trust they blasphemed. It also rationalizes their failure to effectively “execute” (as in executive) their responsibilities.
To say these C.E.O.’s and kindred titled ilk “cannot be blamed for the crisis” is to also give a pass to Mrs. O’Leary’s cow. Neither these executives nor the cow understood the risks and consequences of their actions. The intolerable rub is the difference in their respective responsibilities and paychecks. Executive compensation is theoretically based on effective performance which is achieved through responsible management. Mrs. O’Leary’s cow was paid (room and board) to give milk.
Through gross dereliction of the responsibility and foresight included in executive job descriptions, financial executives stole the city. With responsibility and foresight not being included in the job description of any bovine, Mrs. O’Leary’s cow burned down the city. In either event, the city is gone.
The cow is forgiven.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Holiday
at the
Second Chance Ranch
It is like Brigadoon, a mythical city that appears only once every one hundred years. Somewhere, on a mountain side in the Rockies, this city appears once every 364 days on July 4. A tent goes up to display the impressive buffet. There are pork roasts, pulled pork, and barbecue ribs. There are fruits and vegetables, baked beans, cole slaw, chips and salsa, and bananas foster for desert. There is beer of every description, wines, and sangria. Many kinds of bread including corn bread were beckoning. The massive wooden table on the outdoor kitchen patio is the central gathering place. There is a table with an umbrella ten feet off the porch for more private conversations, although nobody really ever had any.
The weather was cooperative, with a slight afternoon shower to cool things down a bit. Scheduling for this event was well timed, with the rain coming at the conclusion of the dinner. A “nicely done” salute to our hosts, Mark and Karen.
And then there were the people. There were all kinds of interesting people. Though the people were from different walks of life and occupations, they all had one thing in common, one common thread. They all did their own thing. Everybody knew what they wanted and were living life accordingly. People who do their own thing are something you don’t find very often. Most people do what they need to do to make a living. These people all seemed to do what they wanted to do to make a living. This is a very unique approach, and yet, everyone there seemed to have caught the fever long ago. Most importantly, everyone seemed very happy with their choice.
Eric restores houses and rents them out. Things are a little tight with the current Depression but, he was optimistic and at ease with his soul.
Frank works on cars and does his own work on the weekends. You can tell from talking to him that he is a skilled man and a happy man.
Larry works as an electrician. He seems to be a very happy guy.
Bob, who has a shop, was there too. So was his Burmese Mountain Dog. The dog was neurotic. Bob was not.
Bill and Liz were there too. Liz drives too far to work. I told her to write a book.
Carol and Jim (that’s me) were there. Carol is an artist. Carol told Jim (that’s me) to write a book.
Joe and Carmine were there. They are Mark's and Carol's parents and the father in law and mother in law of Karen and me (Jim). AND, they are the most optimistic people you could ever hope to meet. No matter what challenges life sends their way, they find a way to turn the lemons into lemonade. They also wrote the book on living life on their terms.
Even the turkeys showed up. They walked around well to the back of the yard, near the ridge that overlooks the valley through which the road winds. The valley road takes you to the turn-off road on the right which climbs up the final one hundred and fifty yards toward the “Second Chance Ranch,” the Brigadoon of Colorado. While the absence of a shoulder and the mild drop-offs on the right side might make a city slicker skittish, this road is standard and mild fare for mountain people. The rain a day or two before had washed much of the road further down the mountain. They had to scrape the mud flows together and push them back into place higher on the hill to shore up the road so it would be ready for the next storm. Good job, too!
The house is unique, and beautifully crafted. It is one of those places you see in those magazines where people proudly show off their dream homes. This house will land in one of those magazines soon. Keep an eye out for it. (Well, don’t literally keep an eye out for it. If you do, you only have half the chance of seeing it. You don’t want to miss it, do you?)
Of course, there were a few friends we didn’t run into. No bears or mountain lions showed up. The skunk that made himself at home under Mark and Karen’s home was long gone. He gave more than his “two scents” worth before he left.
No deer were around. That’s because Regis periodically escorts them off the property. Gets the deer mad too, and, they give Regis an earful. Doesn’t bother Regis because he’s deaf.
The Humming Birds were nice. You get a little tired of the same songs all the time, however.
Then there were the birds living in the nest they had built in ceiling of the outdoor kitchen. They didn’t seem to mind the humans sitting directly below, and the humans didn’t seem to mind the birds perched directly above. The birds were feeding their young in the nest. The teeny little American flags on the side of their nest were a nice Fourth of July touch. Very classy.
Wow! I hope they invite me next year. Maybe then I’ll remember all of the names of the great people I saw at the Second Chance Ranch on the Fourth of July.
Jim Wharton
copyright
at the
Second Chance Ranch
It is like Brigadoon, a mythical city that appears only once every one hundred years. Somewhere, on a mountain side in the Rockies, this city appears once every 364 days on July 4. A tent goes up to display the impressive buffet. There are pork roasts, pulled pork, and barbecue ribs. There are fruits and vegetables, baked beans, cole slaw, chips and salsa, and bananas foster for desert. There is beer of every description, wines, and sangria. Many kinds of bread including corn bread were beckoning. The massive wooden table on the outdoor kitchen patio is the central gathering place. There is a table with an umbrella ten feet off the porch for more private conversations, although nobody really ever had any.
The weather was cooperative, with a slight afternoon shower to cool things down a bit. Scheduling for this event was well timed, with the rain coming at the conclusion of the dinner. A “nicely done” salute to our hosts, Mark and Karen.
And then there were the people. There were all kinds of interesting people. Though the people were from different walks of life and occupations, they all had one thing in common, one common thread. They all did their own thing. Everybody knew what they wanted and were living life accordingly. People who do their own thing are something you don’t find very often. Most people do what they need to do to make a living. These people all seemed to do what they wanted to do to make a living. This is a very unique approach, and yet, everyone there seemed to have caught the fever long ago. Most importantly, everyone seemed very happy with their choice.
Eric restores houses and rents them out. Things are a little tight with the current Depression but, he was optimistic and at ease with his soul.
Frank works on cars and does his own work on the weekends. You can tell from talking to him that he is a skilled man and a happy man.
Larry works as an electrician. He seems to be a very happy guy.
Bob, who has a shop, was there too. So was his Burmese Mountain Dog. The dog was neurotic. Bob was not.
Bill and Liz were there too. Liz drives too far to work. I told her to write a book.
Carol and Jim (that’s me) were there. Carol is an artist. Carol told Jim (that’s me) to write a book.
Joe and Carmine were there. They are Mark's and Carol's parents and the father in law and mother in law of Karen and me (Jim). AND, they are the most optimistic people you could ever hope to meet. No matter what challenges life sends their way, they find a way to turn the lemons into lemonade. They also wrote the book on living life on their terms.
Even the turkeys showed up. They walked around well to the back of the yard, near the ridge that overlooks the valley through which the road winds. The valley road takes you to the turn-off road on the right which climbs up the final one hundred and fifty yards toward the “Second Chance Ranch,” the Brigadoon of Colorado. While the absence of a shoulder and the mild drop-offs on the right side might make a city slicker skittish, this road is standard and mild fare for mountain people. The rain a day or two before had washed much of the road further down the mountain. They had to scrape the mud flows together and push them back into place higher on the hill to shore up the road so it would be ready for the next storm. Good job, too!
The house is unique, and beautifully crafted. It is one of those places you see in those magazines where people proudly show off their dream homes. This house will land in one of those magazines soon. Keep an eye out for it. (Well, don’t literally keep an eye out for it. If you do, you only have half the chance of seeing it. You don’t want to miss it, do you?)
Of course, there were a few friends we didn’t run into. No bears or mountain lions showed up. The skunk that made himself at home under Mark and Karen’s home was long gone. He gave more than his “two scents” worth before he left.
No deer were around. That’s because Regis periodically escorts them off the property. Gets the deer mad too, and, they give Regis an earful. Doesn’t bother Regis because he’s deaf.
The Humming Birds were nice. You get a little tired of the same songs all the time, however.
Then there were the birds living in the nest they had built in ceiling of the outdoor kitchen. They didn’t seem to mind the humans sitting directly below, and the humans didn’t seem to mind the birds perched directly above. The birds were feeding their young in the nest. The teeny little American flags on the side of their nest were a nice Fourth of July touch. Very classy.
Wow! I hope they invite me next year. Maybe then I’ll remember all of the names of the great people I saw at the Second Chance Ranch on the Fourth of July.
Jim Wharton
copyright
Saturday, April 11, 2009
No Faith in Science
No Faith in Science
Thousands of years ago, two cave men were wandering around pondering the meaning of life. They suddenly found themselves falling, falling ever more rapidly, through a gigantic hole which had suddenly opened beneath their feet. Unfortunately, they had inadvertently happened upon a meandering high velocity/time warp/black-hole. Quite abruptly, their precipitous (and very scary) fall ended. They found themselves sitting on a sloping pile of rocks supporting two long, shining slivers extending far into the distance. “Uga wuga da boogo meexi noc fi,” said the first cave man. (Translation-Hey, we’re sitting on a sloping pile of rocks with two long, shining slivers extending far into the distance.”) “Yup,” said the second cave man. (Translation- Yes.) “Noko yi yi vrun bi,” said the first cave man. (Translation-I think we have traveled into another time) “Yup,” said the second cave man. (Translation – “Yes.”)
Suddenly, there was a bright light in the distance at the end of the shining slivers. The light grew bigger and bigger and a distant sound of thunder increased in volume until it became earsplitting. The light and thunder roared by them as they cowered terrified and face down, screaming into the rocks against which their faces were firmly pressed.
The sound of thunder became less and less as it moved further away from them. Then, all was quiet. Abruptly, they were once again picked up by the meandering high velocity/time warp/black-hole and thrust back into their own time.
“Wa noc ex ti vlibt ku ci nik?” asked the first cave man. (Transaltion-Should we tell the others what happened?) “Nope,” said the second cave man. And, by the way, can you speak English? I’m getting tired of translating.
“Sure thing,” said the first cave man. “But, why can’t we tell the others?”
The second cave man replied, “Because the scientists will never believe us and they will hold us up to great ridicule.” The first cave man then replied, “You’re right. And that would cause us great annoyance and displeasure.” “Yup,” said the second cave man.
So the cave men never told the rest of the cave people that they had crashed through a time warp and landed in another time and found themselves sitting on the side of a railroad track just as a train passed. The fact that they did not tell anyone about this amazing experience is very important. (Translation: Yac ta li yu teo ai mip mip.) Oh, wait, I don’t have to translate from English back to “Cavemanian.” Sorry, my civility got in the way.
There is a key problem with science and their revered “scientific method.” No, no. My civility is not the key problem. Rather, the fact that the cavemen refused to tell the rest of their contemporaries about their astounding experience is the key problem. “Why?” the scientist might ask. Except they really won’t ask because if they even bothered to read this at all, they would have tuned out well before this point and already have retreated back to the safety of their outmoded “scientific method.”
But, come back and read further, Mr. Scientist. Don’t be afraid just because you’ve never seen a train. Can’t you understand, it’s about the mathematics of the whole thing? Things or events that you perceive as fantastic, superstitious, unbelievable, un-verifiable, outrageous, etc really may have occurred or exist. Think about it. Why have people reported these same things over and over down through time, even before history was ever written? And, in answer to the “Why?” in the above paragraph, if people don’t report facts, the world is deprived of the knowledge of these events and the even greater knowledge which could be uncovered by studying the initial events.
Conspiracy theories, supernatural experiences, miracles, UFO’s are often true. Do you really think Lee Harvey Oswald killed President Kennedy using a rusty rifle with a mis-aligned sight, with a shot that even an F.B.I marksman could not replicate? And, how did a piece of the curbing, which the F.B.I. quickly confiscated, fly up and cut a man’s face when the shots were fired? And, how did the “magic bullet” which hit Governor Connally in the arm and Kennedy in the throat and head, and ricocheted off the curb, end up on Kennedy’s stretcher looking as if it had never been fired? Why did Jacqueline Kennedy record a set of tapes regarding the assassination which are not to be listened to or published for fifty years?
How can the sighting of a massive (a mile wide in many reports) metallic disc (UFO) directly witnessed by thousands of people in several states be discounted? How can the sighting of military planes pursuing the object, again seen by thousands of people, be denied by the military? The military later stated it was mistaken and that several planes actually were operating in the area.
Supernatural experiences are so frequent that most people accept them as a fact of life. But, of course, science does not. But, how many millions of people have “seen ghosts or experienced some supernatural phenomenon?”
“Miracles” have also occurred so often that most people also accept them as a fact of life. But, of course, science does not. But, how many miracles have occurred over time?
In conclusion, there are two very important points.
1. The mathematics of the incredible number of rational, intelligent people who have experienced extraordinary and unexplainable events and sightings precludes the possibility that any other rational, intelligent person would discount the validity of at least some significant percentage of these occurrences.
2. But, then, once again looking at the mathematics, how many other extraordinary and unexplainable events have never come to the attention of anyone because those who witnessed them are afraid “they will be held up to great ridicule” to quote the cave man? Further, how many reports of these types of occurrences have been lost over time and will also never be known?
The mathematics don’t work in favor of science. On the contrary, the out-dated “scientific method” not only comes up very short but, in actuality is the security blanket for a small group of very afraid people to hide under.
Science embraces only what it thinks it can explain. Direct observations of events by witnesses don’t ever count unless they are backed up by some rationale according to their obsolete and anecdotal “scientific method.” No matter how huge the number of witnesses to an event may be, scientists find their own comfort in their universal rejection of “eye-witness” and experiential occurrences. No matter how frequently a phenomenon has taken place, even if it was over thousands of years and experienced by millions of people of different times, places, cultures, people with religious beliefs or not, science rejects anything that is not “concrete” or “tangible” in its “considered opinion.
If scientists are so smart as they think, why can’t they answer two simple questions.
1. If all life, as they propose, came from a single molecule, then, where did the molecule come from?
2. On a slightly larger scale, if the universe came from a single mass smaller than a baseball and everything started with the big bang, as they propose, who made the single mass and who lit the fuse?
That’s actually three questions instead of two. But, at least, I admit my errors.
Finally, why would we ever trust any “body of knowledge” which cannot explain either one of the smallest things (a molecule) known to man, nor the largest thing known to man, the universe itself?
Look Spot. See the train.
Copyright
James Wharton
Thousands of years ago, two cave men were wandering around pondering the meaning of life. They suddenly found themselves falling, falling ever more rapidly, through a gigantic hole which had suddenly opened beneath their feet. Unfortunately, they had inadvertently happened upon a meandering high velocity/time warp/black-hole. Quite abruptly, their precipitous (and very scary) fall ended. They found themselves sitting on a sloping pile of rocks supporting two long, shining slivers extending far into the distance. “Uga wuga da boogo meexi noc fi,” said the first cave man. (Translation-Hey, we’re sitting on a sloping pile of rocks with two long, shining slivers extending far into the distance.”) “Yup,” said the second cave man. (Translation- Yes.) “Noko yi yi vrun bi,” said the first cave man. (Translation-I think we have traveled into another time) “Yup,” said the second cave man. (Translation – “Yes.”)
Suddenly, there was a bright light in the distance at the end of the shining slivers. The light grew bigger and bigger and a distant sound of thunder increased in volume until it became earsplitting. The light and thunder roared by them as they cowered terrified and face down, screaming into the rocks against which their faces were firmly pressed.
The sound of thunder became less and less as it moved further away from them. Then, all was quiet. Abruptly, they were once again picked up by the meandering high velocity/time warp/black-hole and thrust back into their own time.
“Wa noc ex ti vlibt ku ci nik?” asked the first cave man. (Transaltion-Should we tell the others what happened?) “Nope,” said the second cave man. And, by the way, can you speak English? I’m getting tired of translating.
“Sure thing,” said the first cave man. “But, why can’t we tell the others?”
The second cave man replied, “Because the scientists will never believe us and they will hold us up to great ridicule.” The first cave man then replied, “You’re right. And that would cause us great annoyance and displeasure.” “Yup,” said the second cave man.
So the cave men never told the rest of the cave people that they had crashed through a time warp and landed in another time and found themselves sitting on the side of a railroad track just as a train passed. The fact that they did not tell anyone about this amazing experience is very important. (Translation: Yac ta li yu teo ai mip mip.) Oh, wait, I don’t have to translate from English back to “Cavemanian.” Sorry, my civility got in the way.
There is a key problem with science and their revered “scientific method.” No, no. My civility is not the key problem. Rather, the fact that the cavemen refused to tell the rest of their contemporaries about their astounding experience is the key problem. “Why?” the scientist might ask. Except they really won’t ask because if they even bothered to read this at all, they would have tuned out well before this point and already have retreated back to the safety of their outmoded “scientific method.”
But, come back and read further, Mr. Scientist. Don’t be afraid just because you’ve never seen a train. Can’t you understand, it’s about the mathematics of the whole thing? Things or events that you perceive as fantastic, superstitious, unbelievable, un-verifiable, outrageous, etc really may have occurred or exist. Think about it. Why have people reported these same things over and over down through time, even before history was ever written? And, in answer to the “Why?” in the above paragraph, if people don’t report facts, the world is deprived of the knowledge of these events and the even greater knowledge which could be uncovered by studying the initial events.
Conspiracy theories, supernatural experiences, miracles, UFO’s are often true. Do you really think Lee Harvey Oswald killed President Kennedy using a rusty rifle with a mis-aligned sight, with a shot that even an F.B.I marksman could not replicate? And, how did a piece of the curbing, which the F.B.I. quickly confiscated, fly up and cut a man’s face when the shots were fired? And, how did the “magic bullet” which hit Governor Connally in the arm and Kennedy in the throat and head, and ricocheted off the curb, end up on Kennedy’s stretcher looking as if it had never been fired? Why did Jacqueline Kennedy record a set of tapes regarding the assassination which are not to be listened to or published for fifty years?
How can the sighting of a massive (a mile wide in many reports) metallic disc (UFO) directly witnessed by thousands of people in several states be discounted? How can the sighting of military planes pursuing the object, again seen by thousands of people, be denied by the military? The military later stated it was mistaken and that several planes actually were operating in the area.
Supernatural experiences are so frequent that most people accept them as a fact of life. But, of course, science does not. But, how many millions of people have “seen ghosts or experienced some supernatural phenomenon?”
“Miracles” have also occurred so often that most people also accept them as a fact of life. But, of course, science does not. But, how many miracles have occurred over time?
In conclusion, there are two very important points.
1. The mathematics of the incredible number of rational, intelligent people who have experienced extraordinary and unexplainable events and sightings precludes the possibility that any other rational, intelligent person would discount the validity of at least some significant percentage of these occurrences.
2. But, then, once again looking at the mathematics, how many other extraordinary and unexplainable events have never come to the attention of anyone because those who witnessed them are afraid “they will be held up to great ridicule” to quote the cave man? Further, how many reports of these types of occurrences have been lost over time and will also never be known?
The mathematics don’t work in favor of science. On the contrary, the out-dated “scientific method” not only comes up very short but, in actuality is the security blanket for a small group of very afraid people to hide under.
Science embraces only what it thinks it can explain. Direct observations of events by witnesses don’t ever count unless they are backed up by some rationale according to their obsolete and anecdotal “scientific method.” No matter how huge the number of witnesses to an event may be, scientists find their own comfort in their universal rejection of “eye-witness” and experiential occurrences. No matter how frequently a phenomenon has taken place, even if it was over thousands of years and experienced by millions of people of different times, places, cultures, people with religious beliefs or not, science rejects anything that is not “concrete” or “tangible” in its “considered opinion.
If scientists are so smart as they think, why can’t they answer two simple questions.
1. If all life, as they propose, came from a single molecule, then, where did the molecule come from?
2. On a slightly larger scale, if the universe came from a single mass smaller than a baseball and everything started with the big bang, as they propose, who made the single mass and who lit the fuse?
That’s actually three questions instead of two. But, at least, I admit my errors.
Finally, why would we ever trust any “body of knowledge” which cannot explain either one of the smallest things (a molecule) known to man, nor the largest thing known to man, the universe itself?
Look Spot. See the train.
Copyright
James Wharton
Sunday, April 5, 2009
PATHETICO
PATHETICO
SHUT UP! Just Shut Up! If you can’t say anything reflecting just a slight hint of intelligence, just a faint scent of reason, just a whispered utterance that you might get it, then Shut Up! Having long ago given up the hope of finding anything even remotely resembling brilliance in the greatest majority of our elected leaders, CEO’s, etc, and the concurrent reporting of their idiocy by the equally idiotic mass media, I find myself absolutely exhausted from searching for even a pretense of mediocrity. Is there someone out there who deserves even a “D-”? Is there a news organization that can actually report substance instead of stupidity?
There has long been an absolute understanding, not a perception, mind you, but a firm acceptance by what is commonly known as the “field force” of the organization, whether it be a corporation, the military, or the government, that “headquarters people” are generally idiots. Furthermore, even if by some weird, perverse, aberrational violation of the “Peter Principle,” someone is put in charge that actually does “get it,” at a minimum, that person still can never understand what is really going on in the “field.” Therefore, even if that person is not an idiot, he or she never really understands the “real world facts” of the actual situation from a “boots on the ground” perspective.
To support my premise, I have listed just a miniscule sample of recent idiocy in a copyrighted “Duh Report.” This report is a small list of some “non-leaders and those situations being addressed by other “non-leaders” whom and which are too stupid for words to describe.
“The Duh Report”
1. The federal and local governments’ handling of ILLEGAL immigration. What part of “illegal” is not understood by governments and “illegals”? Don’t come here. Ship them back. Problem solved.
2. Profiling Hispanics in the enforcement of immigration laws. As one person wrote, “If you want to pick peaches you don’t go to an apple tree.” Pick peaches on the peach tree. Problem solved.
3. General Motors can operate with a union when the competition cannot. Regardless of the moral and emotional issues related to the existence of a union, a company cannot be competitive, and therefore viable, unless its costs are in line with all other companies it competes against. Break the union. Problem solved.
4. The term General Motors executive. Here is an oxymoron. Horrendous numbers of “non-executives” are responsible for their outrageous failure to address massive operational problems, epidemic un-satisfactory executive performance, refusal to build high quality, saleable automobiles and trucks, and blatant arrogance and stupidity. Fire them all and put in new blood. Problem solved.
5. The “Volt,” General Motors’ “green car” at $40,000, is not saleable to the mass market. Who can afford a $40,000 car? The Volt won’t save General Motors and the “non-executives” of this non-competetive behemoth have bet the company on this disaster on wheels. Make an affordable “green car”. Problem solved.
6. The United Nations is in-effective. This especially pathetic organization has repeatedly failed to effectively address mass starvation, genocide, regional wars, nuclear proliferation, and terrorism. The most powerful countries must re-structure that organization and add some teeth. Problem solved.
7. Bernie Madoff and the rest of the Wall Street CEO criminals should be lynched. The punishment is not for the money they stole but for the thousands of lives they have ruined with their greed. Even more importantly, they should be lynched for “financial terrorism.” Under George Bush’s non-leadership (a blank stare on stupid face with an arrogant smirk), the thieves of Wall Street have accomplished every terrorist’s dream. They have tremendously weakened the country which will encourage every un-washed, un-educated, Third World dictator to challenge the United States. (North Korea’s missle launch, Iran’s nuclear policy). Take all their money and lynch them. The Chinese would and do execute business criminals. (At least vindication is achieved for the victims, which are all of us.) Problem solved (as well as it can be).
8. Failure of the United Nations, the squabbling Europeans, the covert Russians, the militarily, politically, and industrially aggressive Chinese, to address nuclear proliferation. At what point will Israel pre-emptively strike Iran and what will be the consequences? At what point will the United States be forced to strike North Korea and what will be the consequences? At what point will China attack Taiwan and how will the United States respond? The most powerful countries (above) must establish nuclear proliferation as the number one priority. It’s only a matter of time and the clock is ticking fast. Problem solved.
9. The Stock Market is incompatible with 401ks. There is no effective retirement vehicle in existence on a mass scale. Black Swan’s alone make this premise a no-brainer. Establish Social Security with higher pay-ins and later pay-outs as the national retirement security vehicle. Problem solved.
10. Prescription for Republicans: 1. Shut Up! 2. Shut Up!! 3. Shut Up!!!. Then, en masse, go to the Himalayas. See a guru. Do penance for the next hundred years for the sins of your non-leader George Bush. The party of “NO.” Shut Up! Problem solved.
11. Governors who turn down the federal stimulus to pay un-employment benefits and to support education. They play politics while their citizens suffer because they have no jobs. Education stimulus funds are refused which then helps to ensure that the next generation is ignorant and just as un-employable. Re-call these governors and then kick their asses. Problem solved.
12. The treatment of women and the notion that women are not equal to men in many Third World Countries. Women and men are equal. Get over it. Problem solved.
13. CNN and Fox News is another oxymoron. What do female “newscasters” with their bare legs exclaiming their only bona fides (Who knows for what?) and their lip gloss imprints on the camera lens (and thus across my television screen) have to do with “news”? These women “newscasters” and their equally clueless male counterparts have absolutely no credibility. Turn off the television and watch the grass grow. Problem solved.
14. “The Field force” is all knowing and all wise. Put them in charge. All problems solved.
Copyright
James Wharton
SHUT UP! Just Shut Up! If you can’t say anything reflecting just a slight hint of intelligence, just a faint scent of reason, just a whispered utterance that you might get it, then Shut Up! Having long ago given up the hope of finding anything even remotely resembling brilliance in the greatest majority of our elected leaders, CEO’s, etc, and the concurrent reporting of their idiocy by the equally idiotic mass media, I find myself absolutely exhausted from searching for even a pretense of mediocrity. Is there someone out there who deserves even a “D-”? Is there a news organization that can actually report substance instead of stupidity?
There has long been an absolute understanding, not a perception, mind you, but a firm acceptance by what is commonly known as the “field force” of the organization, whether it be a corporation, the military, or the government, that “headquarters people” are generally idiots. Furthermore, even if by some weird, perverse, aberrational violation of the “Peter Principle,” someone is put in charge that actually does “get it,” at a minimum, that person still can never understand what is really going on in the “field.” Therefore, even if that person is not an idiot, he or she never really understands the “real world facts” of the actual situation from a “boots on the ground” perspective.
To support my premise, I have listed just a miniscule sample of recent idiocy in a copyrighted “Duh Report.” This report is a small list of some “non-leaders and those situations being addressed by other “non-leaders” whom and which are too stupid for words to describe.
“The Duh Report”
1. The federal and local governments’ handling of ILLEGAL immigration. What part of “illegal” is not understood by governments and “illegals”? Don’t come here. Ship them back. Problem solved.
2. Profiling Hispanics in the enforcement of immigration laws. As one person wrote, “If you want to pick peaches you don’t go to an apple tree.” Pick peaches on the peach tree. Problem solved.
3. General Motors can operate with a union when the competition cannot. Regardless of the moral and emotional issues related to the existence of a union, a company cannot be competitive, and therefore viable, unless its costs are in line with all other companies it competes against. Break the union. Problem solved.
4. The term General Motors executive. Here is an oxymoron. Horrendous numbers of “non-executives” are responsible for their outrageous failure to address massive operational problems, epidemic un-satisfactory executive performance, refusal to build high quality, saleable automobiles and trucks, and blatant arrogance and stupidity. Fire them all and put in new blood. Problem solved.
5. The “Volt,” General Motors’ “green car” at $40,000, is not saleable to the mass market. Who can afford a $40,000 car? The Volt won’t save General Motors and the “non-executives” of this non-competetive behemoth have bet the company on this disaster on wheels. Make an affordable “green car”. Problem solved.
6. The United Nations is in-effective. This especially pathetic organization has repeatedly failed to effectively address mass starvation, genocide, regional wars, nuclear proliferation, and terrorism. The most powerful countries must re-structure that organization and add some teeth. Problem solved.
7. Bernie Madoff and the rest of the Wall Street CEO criminals should be lynched. The punishment is not for the money they stole but for the thousands of lives they have ruined with their greed. Even more importantly, they should be lynched for “financial terrorism.” Under George Bush’s non-leadership (a blank stare on stupid face with an arrogant smirk), the thieves of Wall Street have accomplished every terrorist’s dream. They have tremendously weakened the country which will encourage every un-washed, un-educated, Third World dictator to challenge the United States. (North Korea’s missle launch, Iran’s nuclear policy). Take all their money and lynch them. The Chinese would and do execute business criminals. (At least vindication is achieved for the victims, which are all of us.) Problem solved (as well as it can be).
8. Failure of the United Nations, the squabbling Europeans, the covert Russians, the militarily, politically, and industrially aggressive Chinese, to address nuclear proliferation. At what point will Israel pre-emptively strike Iran and what will be the consequences? At what point will the United States be forced to strike North Korea and what will be the consequences? At what point will China attack Taiwan and how will the United States respond? The most powerful countries (above) must establish nuclear proliferation as the number one priority. It’s only a matter of time and the clock is ticking fast. Problem solved.
9. The Stock Market is incompatible with 401ks. There is no effective retirement vehicle in existence on a mass scale. Black Swan’s alone make this premise a no-brainer. Establish Social Security with higher pay-ins and later pay-outs as the national retirement security vehicle. Problem solved.
10. Prescription for Republicans: 1. Shut Up! 2. Shut Up!! 3. Shut Up!!!. Then, en masse, go to the Himalayas. See a guru. Do penance for the next hundred years for the sins of your non-leader George Bush. The party of “NO.” Shut Up! Problem solved.
11. Governors who turn down the federal stimulus to pay un-employment benefits and to support education. They play politics while their citizens suffer because they have no jobs. Education stimulus funds are refused which then helps to ensure that the next generation is ignorant and just as un-employable. Re-call these governors and then kick their asses. Problem solved.
12. The treatment of women and the notion that women are not equal to men in many Third World Countries. Women and men are equal. Get over it. Problem solved.
13. CNN and Fox News is another oxymoron. What do female “newscasters” with their bare legs exclaiming their only bona fides (Who knows for what?) and their lip gloss imprints on the camera lens (and thus across my television screen) have to do with “news”? These women “newscasters” and their equally clueless male counterparts have absolutely no credibility. Turn off the television and watch the grass grow. Problem solved.
14. “The Field force” is all knowing and all wise. Put them in charge. All problems solved.
Copyright
James Wharton
Thursday, March 12, 2009
God and Guns
God and Guns
There is one big problem common to both God and Guns. While everyone thinks they understand both God and Guns, that is, who or what they are and what they represent, the fact is, very few of us really do. This absence of understanding of God and Guns has created problems of monumental proportion for the country threatening not only our way of life, but the existence of the country itself.
The failure to understand God, most obviously, is of the far greater importance of the two problems. Also, the lack of understanding of God dramatically contributes to the second problem of not understanding Guns. I would not be so presumptuous to attempt to explain God in the next few paragraphs. And also, each person must try to understand God in their own private way. While most of us cannot hope to ever totally understand God, we all must try to do so. Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? Do we have a purpose? Do most of us even ponder these questions?
The greatest importance of God for human beings is the knowledge that God exists. The knowledge of God’s existence provides a spiritual and philosophical aspect to our lives. This allows human beings to establish standards of behavior, order and civility which further allow us to enjoy the world God has provided for us. Unfortunately, in many parts of this world, the ignorance of God and absence of these codes of conduct eliminate the inhibitions of murderous men to inflict death and suffering on their fellow human beings.
Fortunately, our own country has never experienced this extreme condition. However, the country effectively is drifting away from not only an understanding of God, but also, even the concern of whether a God actually exists. The consequences of ignoring God are, conversely, the deterioration of standards of behavior, order and civility. The most profound manifestation this deterioration is the current Depression the country is experiencing. The very clear cause of this Depression is the total loss of confidence in the country’s financial system and even the government itself. This loss of confidence was brought about by the greed, fraud, lies, and base dishonesty of thousands of employees of the financial institutions which bilked trusting customers out of their life savings, retirement accounts, homes, jobs, and even caused some people to take their own lives. The ruthlessness of these thieves was stoked by a complete disregard of morality, honesty, integrity, and fear of punishment. The consequences of this Depression are yet to be realized however, the existence of capitalism as an economic and political system is severely threatened. What impact could this Depression have on our lives if one of any number of alternative “very bad” final conclusions occurs?
The bottom line is that the absence of the acknowledgement of God removes a moralistic foundation for the country. Only with a belief and acceptance of God can the consistent practice of morality and honesty be achieved. If morality and honestly are no longer emphasized within the culture and throughout the media, if children are not taught the value of morality and honesty, then morality and honesty are practiced less and less and the country suddenly finds itself well down the road leading to complete moral and ethical decay which is now precisely the case. Civilized society cannot successfully exist under these conditions. Confidence in the country, government, economy, financial system, etc depends on the acceptance and practice of the general population of the underlying principles of morality, honesty and ethics. Therein in also lies our own happiness with our country and its lifestyle. History repeatedly proves this premise. “He that would live completely happy must before all things belong to a country that is of fair report.” (Simonides of Ceos 556-469 B.C.)
*****************
The complete lack of understanding of guns by nearly everyone was created by a barrage of television, video games, and movies delivering the message that “it is cool to kill people with guns.” The “bad guy,” of course, must always die a violent death. Additionally, of course, to make it realistic, “good guys” must also get shot. However, it cannot be said that guns are inherently “bad.” Quoting Shane in the movie of the same name, “A gun is a tool, Marian. No better or worse than any other tool, an axe, a shovel, or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.”
Therefore, regarding guns, one fact must clearly be understood at the outset. Guns are inherently “necessary.” They provide defense for our country’s military and law enforcement agencies. They provide a means for hunters to practice their sport and maintain wildlife populations to manageable levels. We need guns period. Of course, the Constitution guarantees “the right to keep and bear arms.”
The lack of understanding of the Gun is complicated by two facts:
1. “Bad people,” (however they are defined) shouldn’t be allowed to purchase, own, or bear guns.
2. The average person, that is, the great majority of people, are not knowledgeable about what is the actual purpose of a gun. What is a gun for? As fantastic as that might seem, it is nonetheless, true.
To clarify the understanding of the Gun, consider each of the above facts separately. Regarding Fact #1, intelligent laws must be enacted to prevent criminals, mentally ill persons, (and people defined by other exclusive criteria) from purchasing, owning or carrying guns. An application for a permit to purchase a gun from a business or even a private owner should be as comprehensive as an application for a mortgage for a home. Proof of employment would need to be verified, and a great deal of scrutiny would be attached to the process of owning a gun. Unfortunately, with all the “bad people” in the world, it has come to this.
The huge criminal elements and the drug trade are equally huge customers for guns. These are the people whom should be outlawed from owning guns. Of course, the “bad guys” will come up with ways to get the guns anyway. But, at least, this would be a start. The enacted laws would need to provide severe penalties for anyone in possession of a gun that is not their own and anyone who does not have a permit for it.
Fact #2 is complicated by the misinformation about guns as disseminated in the aforementioned television, video games, and movies. However, this part of understanding the nature of guns can be simplified. A gun really has one purpose. A gun is a weapon used to kill people or animals. That’s it. (I know gun advocates scream about guns for target shooting and all that nonsense. However, why would a person need to be good at shooting targets if he or she isn’t going to use a gun for its ultimate purpose, to kill.)
There are basically two kinds of guns. First, there are guns used for hunting animals. Second, there are guns used for hunting (shooting) people. Looked at in this context, the owner or potential owner of a gun must ask himself, “What am I going to do with this gun? Am I going to use if for hunting animals or for shooting people?”
If a person is going to use the gun for hunting, that is fine. Hunters hunt with guns used for hunting animals. That’s very obvious. However, the big problem comes into the conversation with the other kind of gun, the people or “anti-personnel” gun. What kinds of guns are available for shooting people? Today’s Wall Street Journal had listed by state weapons confiscated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives. There were grenades, machine guns, AK47’s, pistols, shotguns, rifles and other assorted high powered types of guns. If this kind of weaponry has been confiscated, how much is out there has not been confiscated and is in the hands of “bad guys?” These kinds of guns are specifically used for killing people. These kinds of weapons are for criminal usage. The average person doesn’t own these kinds of weapons nor have any need for them. This is where the regulation is desperately needed. First, however, the production and distribution of these kinds of weapons on a massive scale must be halted.
The gun producers have a great system. They produce guns they know will fall into criminal hands. Then they produce guns for the police. But, they produce even bigger guns they know will fall into the criminal hands. Then they produce even bigger guns for the police. Does this system of ever bigger and more sophisticated guns and weapons sound quite a bit like the “arms race” between countries? There’s a lot of money to be made by killing people!
Two events earlier in this week underscore the problem. In Germany, a seventeen year old high school student randomly killed fifteen people. In Alabama, a twenty-eight year old man randomly killed eleven people (some family members were specifically targeted). How these two people had access to that much firepower is the first question which should be answered.
Should a person have a gun for self-protection? Most people would answer this question “Yes.” And, that could be the correct answer if it weren’t for a very simple question: “What am I going to do if I “need” to actually use the gun against another person?” Most people never really consider that. Will they actually use the gun when the time comes? Again, most people say “yes.” The problem is, when the time comes, pulling a gun and pointing the gun at a person is a very big step into the abyss. The rule is to never pull a gun unless you fully intend to use it. Once the gun is in your hand and pointed at another person, the dynamics of the situation change very rapidly. The person the gun is pointed at may also have a weapon, in which case he will probably fire his weapon at you. Or, the person may turn and run. Do you take a shot at him or just let him go? Or, the person may lunge at you to attempt to wrestle the gun away from you. You have about one second to fire the gun before he gets to you. If you are not ready to immediately fire the gun at the person (aiming at his torso because it is the biggest target), you are in real trouble. There is no time to think about it. You can’t wrestle with the person as you have only one hand free. The other one is holding the gun. You are bound to lose the wrestling match and the gun. If the “bad guy” gets to you, he takes your gun away and shoots you with it.
This is the greater part of understanding the Gun. People guns are used to kill people. Nobody wants to be injured or killed by a gun. And, if the average gun buyer ever gave it any real thought, they really don’t want to use a gun to injure or kill someone else. This would be even more the case if the person considering the purchase of a gun had ever seen a person actually shot by a gun. Pictures of victims and movies don’t bring the point home nearly as much as standing over someone who had just gotten killed---before their bodies were covered. That is why people guns need to be much more heavily regulated and their manufacture needs to be extremely rigidly controlled. If the factories keep producing and distributing them, they are going to be used for what they were intended to be used for, killing people.
When it comes to guns, no matter how small (used by individuals), nor how big (used by countries), one statement clearly summarizes weapons. “We are mad, not only individually, but nationally. We check manslaughter and isolated murders; but what of war and the much vaunted crime of slaughtering whole peoples?”
(Seneca 8 B.C. – A.D. 65)
What, then, of God and Guns? If there were more God, there would be fewer Guns. If there were more God, there would be less crime. If there were more God, there would be more honesty and trust among people. If there were more God, confidence and trust would be restored for citizens in each other as well as in the country and its economy and financial systems. For its very survival, the country needs to stop itself from this precipitous plunge of self-destructiveness. There is a way.
James Wharton
copyright
There is one big problem common to both God and Guns. While everyone thinks they understand both God and Guns, that is, who or what they are and what they represent, the fact is, very few of us really do. This absence of understanding of God and Guns has created problems of monumental proportion for the country threatening not only our way of life, but the existence of the country itself.
The failure to understand God, most obviously, is of the far greater importance of the two problems. Also, the lack of understanding of God dramatically contributes to the second problem of not understanding Guns. I would not be so presumptuous to attempt to explain God in the next few paragraphs. And also, each person must try to understand God in their own private way. While most of us cannot hope to ever totally understand God, we all must try to do so. Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? Do we have a purpose? Do most of us even ponder these questions?
The greatest importance of God for human beings is the knowledge that God exists. The knowledge of God’s existence provides a spiritual and philosophical aspect to our lives. This allows human beings to establish standards of behavior, order and civility which further allow us to enjoy the world God has provided for us. Unfortunately, in many parts of this world, the ignorance of God and absence of these codes of conduct eliminate the inhibitions of murderous men to inflict death and suffering on their fellow human beings.
Fortunately, our own country has never experienced this extreme condition. However, the country effectively is drifting away from not only an understanding of God, but also, even the concern of whether a God actually exists. The consequences of ignoring God are, conversely, the deterioration of standards of behavior, order and civility. The most profound manifestation this deterioration is the current Depression the country is experiencing. The very clear cause of this Depression is the total loss of confidence in the country’s financial system and even the government itself. This loss of confidence was brought about by the greed, fraud, lies, and base dishonesty of thousands of employees of the financial institutions which bilked trusting customers out of their life savings, retirement accounts, homes, jobs, and even caused some people to take their own lives. The ruthlessness of these thieves was stoked by a complete disregard of morality, honesty, integrity, and fear of punishment. The consequences of this Depression are yet to be realized however, the existence of capitalism as an economic and political system is severely threatened. What impact could this Depression have on our lives if one of any number of alternative “very bad” final conclusions occurs?
The bottom line is that the absence of the acknowledgement of God removes a moralistic foundation for the country. Only with a belief and acceptance of God can the consistent practice of morality and honesty be achieved. If morality and honestly are no longer emphasized within the culture and throughout the media, if children are not taught the value of morality and honesty, then morality and honesty are practiced less and less and the country suddenly finds itself well down the road leading to complete moral and ethical decay which is now precisely the case. Civilized society cannot successfully exist under these conditions. Confidence in the country, government, economy, financial system, etc depends on the acceptance and practice of the general population of the underlying principles of morality, honesty and ethics. Therein in also lies our own happiness with our country and its lifestyle. History repeatedly proves this premise. “He that would live completely happy must before all things belong to a country that is of fair report.” (Simonides of Ceos 556-469 B.C.)
*****************
The complete lack of understanding of guns by nearly everyone was created by a barrage of television, video games, and movies delivering the message that “it is cool to kill people with guns.” The “bad guy,” of course, must always die a violent death. Additionally, of course, to make it realistic, “good guys” must also get shot. However, it cannot be said that guns are inherently “bad.” Quoting Shane in the movie of the same name, “A gun is a tool, Marian. No better or worse than any other tool, an axe, a shovel, or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.”
Therefore, regarding guns, one fact must clearly be understood at the outset. Guns are inherently “necessary.” They provide defense for our country’s military and law enforcement agencies. They provide a means for hunters to practice their sport and maintain wildlife populations to manageable levels. We need guns period. Of course, the Constitution guarantees “the right to keep and bear arms.”
The lack of understanding of the Gun is complicated by two facts:
1. “Bad people,” (however they are defined) shouldn’t be allowed to purchase, own, or bear guns.
2. The average person, that is, the great majority of people, are not knowledgeable about what is the actual purpose of a gun. What is a gun for? As fantastic as that might seem, it is nonetheless, true.
To clarify the understanding of the Gun, consider each of the above facts separately. Regarding Fact #1, intelligent laws must be enacted to prevent criminals, mentally ill persons, (and people defined by other exclusive criteria) from purchasing, owning or carrying guns. An application for a permit to purchase a gun from a business or even a private owner should be as comprehensive as an application for a mortgage for a home. Proof of employment would need to be verified, and a great deal of scrutiny would be attached to the process of owning a gun. Unfortunately, with all the “bad people” in the world, it has come to this.
The huge criminal elements and the drug trade are equally huge customers for guns. These are the people whom should be outlawed from owning guns. Of course, the “bad guys” will come up with ways to get the guns anyway. But, at least, this would be a start. The enacted laws would need to provide severe penalties for anyone in possession of a gun that is not their own and anyone who does not have a permit for it.
Fact #2 is complicated by the misinformation about guns as disseminated in the aforementioned television, video games, and movies. However, this part of understanding the nature of guns can be simplified. A gun really has one purpose. A gun is a weapon used to kill people or animals. That’s it. (I know gun advocates scream about guns for target shooting and all that nonsense. However, why would a person need to be good at shooting targets if he or she isn’t going to use a gun for its ultimate purpose, to kill.)
There are basically two kinds of guns. First, there are guns used for hunting animals. Second, there are guns used for hunting (shooting) people. Looked at in this context, the owner or potential owner of a gun must ask himself, “What am I going to do with this gun? Am I going to use if for hunting animals or for shooting people?”
If a person is going to use the gun for hunting, that is fine. Hunters hunt with guns used for hunting animals. That’s very obvious. However, the big problem comes into the conversation with the other kind of gun, the people or “anti-personnel” gun. What kinds of guns are available for shooting people? Today’s Wall Street Journal had listed by state weapons confiscated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives. There were grenades, machine guns, AK47’s, pistols, shotguns, rifles and other assorted high powered types of guns. If this kind of weaponry has been confiscated, how much is out there has not been confiscated and is in the hands of “bad guys?” These kinds of guns are specifically used for killing people. These kinds of weapons are for criminal usage. The average person doesn’t own these kinds of weapons nor have any need for them. This is where the regulation is desperately needed. First, however, the production and distribution of these kinds of weapons on a massive scale must be halted.
The gun producers have a great system. They produce guns they know will fall into criminal hands. Then they produce guns for the police. But, they produce even bigger guns they know will fall into the criminal hands. Then they produce even bigger guns for the police. Does this system of ever bigger and more sophisticated guns and weapons sound quite a bit like the “arms race” between countries? There’s a lot of money to be made by killing people!
Two events earlier in this week underscore the problem. In Germany, a seventeen year old high school student randomly killed fifteen people. In Alabama, a twenty-eight year old man randomly killed eleven people (some family members were specifically targeted). How these two people had access to that much firepower is the first question which should be answered.
Should a person have a gun for self-protection? Most people would answer this question “Yes.” And, that could be the correct answer if it weren’t for a very simple question: “What am I going to do if I “need” to actually use the gun against another person?” Most people never really consider that. Will they actually use the gun when the time comes? Again, most people say “yes.” The problem is, when the time comes, pulling a gun and pointing the gun at a person is a very big step into the abyss. The rule is to never pull a gun unless you fully intend to use it. Once the gun is in your hand and pointed at another person, the dynamics of the situation change very rapidly. The person the gun is pointed at may also have a weapon, in which case he will probably fire his weapon at you. Or, the person may turn and run. Do you take a shot at him or just let him go? Or, the person may lunge at you to attempt to wrestle the gun away from you. You have about one second to fire the gun before he gets to you. If you are not ready to immediately fire the gun at the person (aiming at his torso because it is the biggest target), you are in real trouble. There is no time to think about it. You can’t wrestle with the person as you have only one hand free. The other one is holding the gun. You are bound to lose the wrestling match and the gun. If the “bad guy” gets to you, he takes your gun away and shoots you with it.
This is the greater part of understanding the Gun. People guns are used to kill people. Nobody wants to be injured or killed by a gun. And, if the average gun buyer ever gave it any real thought, they really don’t want to use a gun to injure or kill someone else. This would be even more the case if the person considering the purchase of a gun had ever seen a person actually shot by a gun. Pictures of victims and movies don’t bring the point home nearly as much as standing over someone who had just gotten killed---before their bodies were covered. That is why people guns need to be much more heavily regulated and their manufacture needs to be extremely rigidly controlled. If the factories keep producing and distributing them, they are going to be used for what they were intended to be used for, killing people.
When it comes to guns, no matter how small (used by individuals), nor how big (used by countries), one statement clearly summarizes weapons. “We are mad, not only individually, but nationally. We check manslaughter and isolated murders; but what of war and the much vaunted crime of slaughtering whole peoples?”
(Seneca 8 B.C. – A.D. 65)
What, then, of God and Guns? If there were more God, there would be fewer Guns. If there were more God, there would be less crime. If there were more God, there would be more honesty and trust among people. If there were more God, confidence and trust would be restored for citizens in each other as well as in the country and its economy and financial systems. For its very survival, the country needs to stop itself from this precipitous plunge of self-destructiveness. There is a way.
James Wharton
copyright
Aristotelean Trepidation
Aristotelean Trepidation
By the end of any given day, someone, somewhere in the country will have been arrested for shoplifting something they can fit in their pocket or hide under their clothes. It will most likely be an item of relatively little value, maybe under $100 or so. This person will probably be fined or sent to jail, depending if he or she had been caught before. This hardly seems fair.
It hardly seems fair, that is, when punishment for such an insignificant crime as petty theft is understood in the context of the absence of punishment for substantially more horrific offenses of a similar nature.
Stealing is “bad.” But, is the average citizen harmed by shoplifting? It is true shoplifting results in higher prices for everyone because the losses from stolen merchandise must be recovered. No one wants to pay higher prices, however, the average citizen is not really significantly harmed by shoplifting.
On the other hand, the crimes of theft and fraud as committed by the super-thieves of Wall Street have brutally harmed the average citizen. While the pathetic shoplifter stole a few dollars of merchandise from a company, this sodality of the super-thieves of Wall Street stole the entire company, or at least multi-millions of dollars from it paying themselves obscene bonuses. They knowingly placed excessively risky bets on “not-understood assets” (now known as “toxic assets”) using other people’s money entrusted to their care. The losses of millions of jobs, 25%-50% of home equity, 50% of 401k value, the loss of homes, the destruction of lives, and suicides obviously cannot be compared to the inconsequential shoplifter’s pathetic crime.
Of far greater import and magnitude, the super-thieves of Wall Street, while committing their crimes of Theft and Fraud, also committed the crimes of Treason and Terror. The question then becomes, why are the super-thieves a.k.a. treasonous individuals, terrorists, and con-artists who are guilty of the crimes listed in the above paragraph, not prosecuted and punished?
Treason, defined by Webster’s as “the betrayal of one’s own country by waging war against it,” is a capital offense. Treason is clearly involved here because the government has substantially less ability to pay for critically needed defense modernization and upgrading because funds must be diverted to repair the carnage to the country’s financial infra-structure produced by these ruthless, selfish, super-thieves. This significantly compromises the country’s ability to defend itself which could actually threaten the country’s existence in time of war. These super-thieves should be tried and punished to the full extent of the law. While this may sound extreme, it would be very un-wise to consider it so without a solid grasp of the continuously fragile and volatile world order and the already diminished readiness status of our armed forces. The United States nuclear weapons stockpile is obsolete and urgently needs upgrading. All of the Armed Service branches need massive technical and equipment modernization, as well as enormous training for their forces. These Wall Street super-thieves are specifically enemies of the United States and guilty of treason.
Terrorism is also clearly at issue here. Terrorize is defined by Webster’s as “to fill or overpower with terror.” The average citizen is filled with great fear for his or her own well-being and the very survival of the country itself. Is this not the aim of the Osama Bin Laden’s and other terrorists? While the tragic and massive loss of life on 9-ll cannot be compared with the financial instability wrought by the super-thieves of Wall Street, the fact remains that the country is effectively terrorized unless, if one were to dispute this conclusion, they wish to challenge the definition of terror according to Webster’s. This, too, is a crime for which the super-thieves of Wall Street should be punished. Once again, if this seems extreme, consider the final chapters of the current Depression are not yet written, and one can only guess what may be the dire events yet to come. This Depression was specifically caused by the super-thieves because their greed and selfishness totally destroyed the confidence in the country’s financial system and the government itself. While Mr. Obama enjoys a very high approval rating which is well deserved, the average citizen has lost confidence in the government itself. The governments failure, even refusal, to aggressively prosecute and punish the Wall Street super-thieves clearly delivers the message that its okay to steal and de-fraud investors, holders of 401k’s, home-owners etc. There will be no punishment if the thief steals on a large enough scale and can hire equally loathsome attorneys to prevent his punishment.
Does anyone in government read history? Do judges even know how to read? If there is no punishment for the crime, then there will be a crime. “The generality of men are naturally apt to be swayed by fear rather than by reverence, and to refrain from evil rather because of the punishment that it brings, than because of its own foulness.”
(Aristotle 384 – 322 B.C.) A strong philosophy and aggressive policy of “Aristotelean Trepidation” is mandatory for the government to write into law to help prevent similar crises in the future. In other words, “if you do bad things, bad things will happen to you.”
Once treason and terrorism are brought into the context of the crimes committed by the super-thieves of Wall Street, further discussing their base crimes of theft and fraud could seem redundant or over-zealous. This would be the case were it not, again, for the magnitude of their crimes and their brutal impact on the lives of millions of innocent people. If these people were business thieves and frauds working in China, they would be brought to trial and executed for their crimes against the state as well as the theft and fraud. Again, consider the magnitude of suffering they have caused, the compromise of the country’s defensive capability, the millions of people affected, and the wide-spread misery they have spread throughout the country. For now, it appears we must live with the incompetence of our own legal system. It is of little comfort to know: “The judge is condemned when the criminal is absolved.” (Publilius Syrus, Circa 42 B.C.) Of course, the criminals first have to be brought to trial. As of today, March 12, 2009, it appears there is some stirring within the Justice Department and state Attorney’s General to at least prosecute some of these criminals for fraud and theft. But, that is not enough.
When people, especially those in fiduciary positions involving other people’s trust, betray that sacred trust and steal from those who trust them, they are the lowest of all life forms. That is not a matter of idealism and narrow-mindedness. The reason these horrific crimes by the super-thieves of Wall Street must be aggressively prosecuted by the government is that confidence will not be restored in the financial system or the country itself without the assurance to the public that massive Treason, Terrorism, Theft, and Fraud will not be allowed to happen. Only when the average citizen again feels confident about investing and participating in the financial infrastructure will the country recover. The following observation may be applied to both Wall Street and the government who must prosecute these criminals: “Whoever has even once become notorious by base fraud, even if he speaks the truth, gains no belief.” (Phaedrus Circa A.D. 8)
James Wharton
Copyright
By the end of any given day, someone, somewhere in the country will have been arrested for shoplifting something they can fit in their pocket or hide under their clothes. It will most likely be an item of relatively little value, maybe under $100 or so. This person will probably be fined or sent to jail, depending if he or she had been caught before. This hardly seems fair.
It hardly seems fair, that is, when punishment for such an insignificant crime as petty theft is understood in the context of the absence of punishment for substantially more horrific offenses of a similar nature.
Stealing is “bad.” But, is the average citizen harmed by shoplifting? It is true shoplifting results in higher prices for everyone because the losses from stolen merchandise must be recovered. No one wants to pay higher prices, however, the average citizen is not really significantly harmed by shoplifting.
On the other hand, the crimes of theft and fraud as committed by the super-thieves of Wall Street have brutally harmed the average citizen. While the pathetic shoplifter stole a few dollars of merchandise from a company, this sodality of the super-thieves of Wall Street stole the entire company, or at least multi-millions of dollars from it paying themselves obscene bonuses. They knowingly placed excessively risky bets on “not-understood assets” (now known as “toxic assets”) using other people’s money entrusted to their care. The losses of millions of jobs, 25%-50% of home equity, 50% of 401k value, the loss of homes, the destruction of lives, and suicides obviously cannot be compared to the inconsequential shoplifter’s pathetic crime.
Of far greater import and magnitude, the super-thieves of Wall Street, while committing their crimes of Theft and Fraud, also committed the crimes of Treason and Terror. The question then becomes, why are the super-thieves a.k.a. treasonous individuals, terrorists, and con-artists who are guilty of the crimes listed in the above paragraph, not prosecuted and punished?
Treason, defined by Webster’s as “the betrayal of one’s own country by waging war against it,” is a capital offense. Treason is clearly involved here because the government has substantially less ability to pay for critically needed defense modernization and upgrading because funds must be diverted to repair the carnage to the country’s financial infra-structure produced by these ruthless, selfish, super-thieves. This significantly compromises the country’s ability to defend itself which could actually threaten the country’s existence in time of war. These super-thieves should be tried and punished to the full extent of the law. While this may sound extreme, it would be very un-wise to consider it so without a solid grasp of the continuously fragile and volatile world order and the already diminished readiness status of our armed forces. The United States nuclear weapons stockpile is obsolete and urgently needs upgrading. All of the Armed Service branches need massive technical and equipment modernization, as well as enormous training for their forces. These Wall Street super-thieves are specifically enemies of the United States and guilty of treason.
Terrorism is also clearly at issue here. Terrorize is defined by Webster’s as “to fill or overpower with terror.” The average citizen is filled with great fear for his or her own well-being and the very survival of the country itself. Is this not the aim of the Osama Bin Laden’s and other terrorists? While the tragic and massive loss of life on 9-ll cannot be compared with the financial instability wrought by the super-thieves of Wall Street, the fact remains that the country is effectively terrorized unless, if one were to dispute this conclusion, they wish to challenge the definition of terror according to Webster’s. This, too, is a crime for which the super-thieves of Wall Street should be punished. Once again, if this seems extreme, consider the final chapters of the current Depression are not yet written, and one can only guess what may be the dire events yet to come. This Depression was specifically caused by the super-thieves because their greed and selfishness totally destroyed the confidence in the country’s financial system and the government itself. While Mr. Obama enjoys a very high approval rating which is well deserved, the average citizen has lost confidence in the government itself. The governments failure, even refusal, to aggressively prosecute and punish the Wall Street super-thieves clearly delivers the message that its okay to steal and de-fraud investors, holders of 401k’s, home-owners etc. There will be no punishment if the thief steals on a large enough scale and can hire equally loathsome attorneys to prevent his punishment.
Does anyone in government read history? Do judges even know how to read? If there is no punishment for the crime, then there will be a crime. “The generality of men are naturally apt to be swayed by fear rather than by reverence, and to refrain from evil rather because of the punishment that it brings, than because of its own foulness.”
(Aristotle 384 – 322 B.C.) A strong philosophy and aggressive policy of “Aristotelean Trepidation” is mandatory for the government to write into law to help prevent similar crises in the future. In other words, “if you do bad things, bad things will happen to you.”
Once treason and terrorism are brought into the context of the crimes committed by the super-thieves of Wall Street, further discussing their base crimes of theft and fraud could seem redundant or over-zealous. This would be the case were it not, again, for the magnitude of their crimes and their brutal impact on the lives of millions of innocent people. If these people were business thieves and frauds working in China, they would be brought to trial and executed for their crimes against the state as well as the theft and fraud. Again, consider the magnitude of suffering they have caused, the compromise of the country’s defensive capability, the millions of people affected, and the wide-spread misery they have spread throughout the country. For now, it appears we must live with the incompetence of our own legal system. It is of little comfort to know: “The judge is condemned when the criminal is absolved.” (Publilius Syrus, Circa 42 B.C.) Of course, the criminals first have to be brought to trial. As of today, March 12, 2009, it appears there is some stirring within the Justice Department and state Attorney’s General to at least prosecute some of these criminals for fraud and theft. But, that is not enough.
When people, especially those in fiduciary positions involving other people’s trust, betray that sacred trust and steal from those who trust them, they are the lowest of all life forms. That is not a matter of idealism and narrow-mindedness. The reason these horrific crimes by the super-thieves of Wall Street must be aggressively prosecuted by the government is that confidence will not be restored in the financial system or the country itself without the assurance to the public that massive Treason, Terrorism, Theft, and Fraud will not be allowed to happen. Only when the average citizen again feels confident about investing and participating in the financial infrastructure will the country recover. The following observation may be applied to both Wall Street and the government who must prosecute these criminals: “Whoever has even once become notorious by base fraud, even if he speaks the truth, gains no belief.” (Phaedrus Circa A.D. 8)
James Wharton
Copyright
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