Who needs YOUR peace?

Two articles struck me today. Both are about the so-called peace movement. One comes from a blog that is local and is actually the second time I've read of such behavior by "peaceniks". It's entitled, "Ridgewood Resident gets harassed by Teaneck cops for thanking the troops." The second is from the AP and is entitled, "Vermont Town Seeks Bush, Cheney Arrests." The common thread through both of them is the fact that those who are against the war in Iraq seem to be almost fascist in their hatred of anyone who disagrees with them.

How is the arrest of the US President and Vice-President going to serve any practical purpose other than to show complete disregard and respect for the elected leader of the country? It will not stop a military action. It is not even legal. It is merely contemptuous and stupid. It certainly argumentative and not very peaceful.

The behavior reported in the blog's story is reprehensible. Once you read the story, check out the comments to see further input from the original victim. A similar story of poor behavior on the part of anti-war protestors was carried in the local paper a couple of months ago. If this is representative of the "peace" these people want, I'll have none of it thank you. It sounds like their way or the highway, certainly not what our Constitution is all about.

Thoughts anyone?

Melting pot?

A comment on an earlier post got me to thinking about what it means to become an American. I work with a young man who comes from the African country of Ghana and I am always impressed about how interested he is in learning about "our ways." This is quite different from the immigrant rights people who have marched demanding "fair" treatment for those who have illegally entered our country.

In researching, I have come across a book entitled, "Reinventing the Melting Pot" which seems to be an in depth look at the idea of integrating immigrants into modern American society. According to the review, the consensus is that it is unrealistic to believe that we can (or should) achieve the sort of homogeneous integration that was prevalent in the 1950's but that we should strive for integration nonetheless.

I know that many of my more conservative friends are adament that anyone coming to this country should be expected to adopt all of our ways. They seem to forget that many of "our ways" come from the practices of previous immigrants that brought them into our collective practices.

Bottom line, I think there must be some middle ground between those who would grant all rights to illegal immigrants (otherwise, what's the purpose of citizenry?) and those who would require every immigrant to become an English-speaking, Republican, WASP.

Thoughts anyone?

Space...the final frontier

A news article caught my eye. It was entitled, "New Orleans gets a boost from NASA" and it details how the next generation of rockets are scheduled to be built in the New Orleans area which will bring some very high income jobs to New Orleans for many years to come. It talked about the Constellation Project which is the US' next big project to put men on the moon by 2020 at the latest. Have you heard of it?

I vaguely recall hearing about it as part of a budget report or some other barely covered report from NASA. This is a huge shame!! It's a very exciting project to not only put men on the moon (been there, done that....I saw it on TV), but to keep them there in a regular outpost. This is a huge step for humanity and no one seems to notice. For the first time, we are going to become extra-terrestrials!!

For those of us who regularly read science fiction, we can tell you that this will open up a vast array of socio-economic and political issues. Who owns the base? Who taxes it? Who governs it? (Think of England dealing with the colonies in the "New World". We all know how that turned out) Are we ready for an independent planet to keep up with? Anyone for the Mars v. Earth Solar Series in October? The implications are staggering. Keep watching at http://www.nasa.gov/ or http://www.spacefoundation.org/.

Thoughts anyone?

Parable of the Birds

My friend, Dr Rev Jim Higgins, has once again published a thoughtful and moving story on his blog. Please read his story "Dr. Jim's Blog: A Christmas Parable"

Merry Christmas whether you like it or not

Much has been said about saying (or not saying) "Merry Christmas". Here are my thoughts. As my pastor said last Sunday, Christmas is about JOY. It is about receiving a message that makes you so happy that you cannot contain it and you just have to exude that happiness. It's like getting THE present that you've been dying for and wanting to share it with everyone you see.

That's a great feeling and it's what generates a greeting like "Merry Christmas". Now I ask, what difference does it make whether you believe that Christ was the Messiah if you understand the meaning behind the greeting? The fact that I'm a Christian does not diminish the sincere feeling behind the greetings of "Mazel Tov" from my Jewish in-laws when my wife and I married. I was able to accept the heart-felt wishes of joy and happiness without being Jewish and without feeling that it threatened my Christianity. I would also be able to accept the greeting of "God is Great" from a Muslim friend in a similar situation.

I have been married for over 3 years so I have gone through the Jewish New Year three times now and have genuinely appreciated the wishes of "Happy New Year" even though it came in September. I have also always returned the greeting of "Good Shabbos" on Friday night even though my Sabbath has always been celebrated on Sundays.

It is important to understand the significance and meaning of the greeting....to the greeter. If I wish you a Merry Christmas, I'm sharing with you the joy and peace that the holiday brings to me. I am hoping that you, through your understanding of God (Jewish, Muslim, agnostic, Buddhist, Confusionist, Zoroastrian, whatever), may receive the peace that I get during this religious celebration. I'm not trying to insult or convert you. I'm also not going to denigrate my celebration by telling you "Happy Holidays" because that means nothing.

So, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

Thoughts anyone?

Follow up on LED streetlight article

In a previous post, I talked about Ann Arbor, MI's intention to convert all of its streetlights to LED lights in an effort to save money and reduce global warming emissions. A copy of my post was put on a local blog since the town was considering replacing its streetlights. The idea was immediately dismissed a untenable, too expensive, silly, etc. In researching further, I found this article on a major city that has already installed them and they work. It just shows that all towns, villages, and cities across the world should follow this lead and install them immediately.

Thoughts anyone?

Get to work

I read with much interest the comments by union president, Rae Roeder, moaning about the fact that New Jersey's state employees had to actually go to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving. In addition, Assemblyman Greenwald makes the ridiculous statement, "New Jersey should join the growing number of other states that recognize the Thanksgiving weekend as a time to spend with family and close friends." Is he kidding?

If he's that concerned about spending time with family and friends, why doesn't he propose it as a mandatory state holiday requiring the closing of all places of business......including retail? Doesn't he think all of those people at Macy's, Sears, and all of the other places he and his family were shopping at deserve the weekend "spending time with family and friends"? Why are Ms. Roeder's consituents more important than those non-unionized employees of the retailers across the state? Could it be that they are NON-unionized and therefore less likely to vote the party line?

I say, state workers have no more right to have a special day off than any other industry. Their time with family and friends is no more important that the thousands of others who have to work that day. Sorry Ms. Roeder, but be quiet and get back to work like the state employees of the majority of states in the US (26 out of 50).

Thoughts anyone?

Barak and the National Anthem

Well, I've been watching Barak Obama with some interest (especially since I consider Clinton to be evil incarnate) but here is a clip that has eliminated him from consideration for me.




There is an e-mail rant that goes with this and there is a snopes.com article that discusses it, but I'm just concerned about the fact that someone who is running for the President of the US doesn't have the political sense (or even survival instinct) to follow protocol. If he can't participate in such a basic act as respect for the National Anthem, what other basic things will he disregard?

Thoughts anyone?

Another company with a heart

I received this e-mail today and it is indeed verified by Snopes.

Subject: Sears - Christmas shopping has already started

I know I needed this reminder since Sears isn't always my first choice. Amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and they haven't withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year?

How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up.

Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.

I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.


I decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I sent the following e-mail to the Sears Customer Service Department:

I received this e-mail and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the Internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your company. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of another store for a like item, even if it's cheaper at that store.


This is their answer to my e-mail:

Dear Customer:

Thank you for contacting Sears.The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback.

Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.

Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358

Please pass this on to all your friends. Sears needs to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do appreciate what they are doing for our military!!!

It's Verified! By Snopes.com at:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp (shows the entire article)

Given this, I would encourage you to make Sears one of your stops for holiday shopping this year!!

Oh the humanity....

Today's news carries a story about a survey of IM (Instant Message) useage and its helpfulness to teens. It's entitled, "Poll: IMs Help Teens Avoid Embarrassment" It describes how teens are using IM to ask people out on dates and to even break up relationships. All of this instead of doing it face to face.

While I heartily wish there was a way for me to have asked out some of those women who crushed me by saying they didn't think of me "that way," I think there is something almost cowardly by using the computer to do that. The fact that a woman feels ok being asked out by someone who doesn't even think enough of her to "man up" and ask her face to face concerns me.

I will admit that it is often easier to say things on-line that you wouldn't necessarily say in person. I have sent e-mails that were a little harsher than what I would've said in person. The whole thing is a little dehumanizing. It is great to have such expanded access to people and places throughout the world, but we need to remember that the receiver is still a person.

This is the risk faced by those growing up with such instant and impersonal communications available. By learning all of their socialization through IMs and text messages, I worry how they will fare when they have to carry on an actual conversation with a live person in the booth at the restaurant. Will they be able to handle the emotional response? Will they even recognize it? Will they be able to appropriately filter their statements? What will this do to the art of conversation?

Thoughts anyone?

I hate to admit Hilary's correct...

This is a great story about a small town and how it raises it's children. It seems to prove that Hilary is right and it truly does take a village to raise a child. It also shows that it takes parents who take responsibility for their children and their proper training.

Thoughts anyone?

Time to pony up for the Iron Horse

An article in the November 4th Parade Magazine entitled, "A Better Way to Travel" highlights the current state of the nation's rail transportation system. It is interesting that the mode of transportation that is credited with opening up the westward expansion during the 1800s is now the black sheep of the transportation family.

Having travelled in Europe, I have experienced first hand what a wonderful and exciting trip can be had by rail. In addition, Europeans make it unnecessary to travel by car. To be fair, the entire continent of Europe can fit inside the Eastern half (from the Mississippi east) of the United States, but that doesn't excuse our lack of decent rail transportation.

I would travel to Chicago by rail, except the trip is over 28 hours long each way and costs over $280 round trip. This compares to a trip on American Airlines which would take just over two hours but would cost $448 round trip (which could be lowered to under $225 if I reserve farther in advance). This same trip would take 15 hours by car and cost less than $250 in gas.

If we were to invest in some of the rail technology currently commonplace in other places around the globe, we could reduce that trip to something more in the range of 9-12 hours. This is still longer than a plane trip, but it offers several advantages. First, you can walk freely around the train as it travels. Second, unlike air travel, you will travel regardless of rain, wind, snow, fog, etc. Lastly, rail travel affords time for relaxation, cell phone use, laptop use, reading, watching out the window, and conversation. While some of this is available during air travel, some of it is not and most of it is not available during travel by car.

Given this, I feel that it is time the United States government and the individual states, begin looking to rail travel as a way to reduce dependence on foreign oil and emission of CO2 gases. The federal government pays billions to build and maintain highways, why shouldn't a good portion of that money go towards building and maintaining a reasonable rail system? History has shown that when given the option to take a well-run, on-time, conveniently scheduled train versus any other type of transportation, train useage increases dramatically. It's time to contact your Representatives and Senators and let them know there is a need for federal money to improve and increase our rail availability.

Thoughts anyone?

"Get off the interstate, Ben Stone"

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with a New Store Opening team in upper New York state for the past week. Aside from the chance to mingle with some great people from stores throughout 5 states, I also worked with many of the "locals". It was a week that I won't forget soon.

As I was driving home through the mountains full of changing leaves, I was struck by the thought that we miss an awful lot by staying home or merely relying on planes to carry us from place to place. By "getting off the interstate" (a line from the great movie "Doc Hollywood"), I was able to see the local houses and places of employment. I saw all the diners and auto repair shops. I was able to remember that throughout this country, regardless of political affiliation, religious beliefs, or economic status, we go about our daily lives being in our communities, working with our co-workers, and trying our best to live good lives. It makes you remember how much we are similar. It makes you forget all of the idiosyncracies that drive you crazy about the people in your area. It makes you remember that we are all in this together.

As much as I hate to advocate the use of gas and production of CO2, I encourage all of you to take a drive to someplace different and to appreciate how much we are alike.

Thoughts anyone?

An amazing video about our troops

This video on YouTube shows over 18 million hits. As you watch it, you'll understand why. I especially appreciate the total lack of political overtone and total focus on the humanity of our troops. Watch.....

Go Ann Arbor!!

A recurring theme of this blog is being green. Today's news wires are carrying a story that is very exciting!! It seems that the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan is going to replace all of its street lights with LEDs. As we've discussed previously in this blog, the LED saves a significant amount of electricity (which equals $$$$$) and lasts approximately 10 years to a 2 year life for a regular incandescent bulb.

According to the story, the city expects to recover its costs of installation through energy savings in just 2 years!! This means that the next 8 years of operation (the expected life of the LED) will be money in the taxpayers' pockets. In addition, it will reduce greenhouse gas production in an amount equivalent to taking 400 cars of the road! Where is the downside on this? Why aren't all towns and cities looking at doing this?

Thoughts anyone?

Hillary = less money in your pocket

In an article from the Associated Press, Hillary Clinton is once again discussing raising taxes, but won't do it publicly. Instead, her public answer is quoted to have been, "I don't think I should be negotiating about what I would do as president." I ask you, isn't that the point of a campaign, to tell us what you intend to do as president?!?!

Could it just be that Hillary doesn't want us to know that her plan to "fix" Social Security is to raise our taxes? She apparently privately told a voter that she would leave the current Social Security limit at $97500 of income and then add an additional tax for those who make over $200000. That sounds great except that the tax limit has been raised over the years and it wouldn't take long for the "gap" between $97500 and $200000 would disappear resulting in everyone paying Social Security taxes (14.3%) on all income.

In addition, our income (my wife and myself) would be considered upper class in many parts of the country, but here in the New York metro area (where we happen to have jobs and family, otherwise we would move) we are barely middle class due to the cost of living. Given that, who is Hillary Clinton (or any politician) to say that the "rich" aren't paying their fair share. If she wants to develop a tax based on the relative income based on cost of living in a certain area, then she might be on to something (imagine THAT tax return!). Or.....she could do what was proposed by the Republicans years ago and develop a flat tax.

Thoughts anyone?

When is Illegal wrong?

So Mayor Bloomberg is in trouble from no less than the Governor of New York, who should know better!! It seems that His Honor came out against Spitzer's plan to allow illegal immigrants to get NY Driver's Licenses because he felt that it would be a security risk. Being from the state that provided licenses for several of the 9-11 hijackers, I must say that I can see some validity in his argument.

A variety of Hispanic organizations have attacked Mr. Bloomberg. One spokesman I heard on the radio said that it was "wrong" to not allow the Mexican driving the pickup to his lawn job, or the Hispanic woman who takes care of our children to not get a driver's license. I must disagree. It is NOT wrong, it is the correct attitude because a driver's license is not a right, it is a privilege (at least that is what I was taught before the days of PC). Not only is it a privilege, it is a privilege for CITIZENS of the United States.

Why would we not want to give them licenses? Perhaps it's because they are not in this country legally and have not earned the right. That's generally what the word ILLEGAL in front of immigrant means!! When you run across the border without securing proper entry, then you are violating our laws. You, therefore, should give up the benefits associated with law-abiding citizens (and legally registered aliens).

I am in favor of working on a plan to grant citizenship to those already here if they have established themselves as productive members of our society, but I'm not going to give them the rights due a citizen until they become one.

Thoughts anyone?

Reflections

So as I begin my 46th year here on the planet, I reflect upon the things that I've learned. Despite what other writers may have you believe, I don't think I really learned all that I needed to know in kindergarten. I think that it is my job to learn new things continually. Here are some of the more important things I have learned so far:

1) I've found that Billy Joel was right, "just surviving is a noble fight." Coming out of college I left a good paying job with a reputable company doing something that I enjoyed because I felt that it didn't contribute enough to society. Over the years I've often wondered if I hadn't left that job, how would things have turned out. I've learned that having such a job eliminates one part of your life that you have to worry about and you can use your free time to "change the world" or at least make a bigger difference. By always searching for "the perfect job", you may give up the ability to do other things outside of work.

2) I've learned that my parents were right when they told me that you will probably be able to count the number of true friends on your hands. I have many good friends and am lucky enough to have a great deal of acquaintenances whose company I have and do value, however, there are about 6 people that I feel that I could call at this hour (1:45am) and say, "I need your help tonight" and they would come from across the country without question and they know that I would do the same for them.

3) I've learned that family is important. I've seen families that allow themselves to drift apart, to argue about petty things such as status and belongings, and to keep score on who did what to whom. They are, in the long run, very sad people who end up lonely. This past weekend, I lost an aunt and was fortunate enough to be able to attend a family gathering of aunts and uncles and cousins, literally from all over the country. Amid the mourning, there was joy at the ability to be together and laugh and remember and share. Although we hadn't all been in the same place at the same time in 5 years (fortunately a wedding), we knew we were connected.

4) I've learned that you must do what you think is right. Not right for you, just right. You must be able to look at the "man in the mirror" and know that you've done the best you can for those that you can.

This is what I can come up with on the morn of my new year. I hope that I will have more for you next year.

Thoughts anyone?

It is 9/11

My thoughts and prayers to all of those touched by 9/11/01. If you haven't already, I would encourage you to read some of the articles regarding the day on www.helium.com. They range from the somber to ridiculous. Here is what I wrote:

"We remember because we must. Thousands of lives were snuffed out that day and we wish to honor them as we would any other significant loss of life such as a plane crash, a boat sinking, or an act of war. They were human beings who were doing nothing more than living their daily lives and they were slaughtered. The politics behind it can be discussed, dissected, and debated for years, but that doesn't change the fact that these souls deserve to be remembered.

The emotions behind the remembrance are most definitely geographical. I remember watching the tragedy unfold in Oklahoma City and I felt for those families and rescue workers. I felt their anger and pain while I watched. I will admit, however, that there was a certain emotional detachment that may eventually lead me to write an article using such callous phrases as "shooting an elephant with a BB gun" (but I doubt it). I was because I didn't see the smoke or hear the sirens or know someone who knew someone. That makes it more of an impersonal remembrance, but a remembrance nonetheless.

Being in the New York City area, I watched as black smoke poured out of the towers. I cringed as US Air Force F-16s roared overhead in a desperate attempt to try and keep anything else from happening. I was sobered as I watched National Guard troop helicopters pour into the city. I was scared when I listened to the chaos and uncertainty on my police scanner. We were scared and those of us who live here will never forget that.

As with all memories, the pointedness of the feelings will diminish with time, but they won't be erased. We must remember this day because it is about people who were doing nothing more than living their daily lives. It could've been you or me, and we also need to remember that the danger is still out there, so it still could be you or me, the next time."

Thoughts anyone?

We've got your back

Much is said, and rightly so, of those men and women of the emergency services of New York City that perished in the World Trade Center. They should be remembered always. I cannot even imagine the courage it took to try and fight the hijackers on Flight 93. There were acts of heroism throughout that terrible day in 2001.

As we remember six years later, I wanted to share my recollections from the other side of the river. I am fortunate to be a part of a specialty EMS unit that provides emergency command and control for EMS responders. On the morning of September 11, 2001, we were called to respond to the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge to assist in setting up a triage and treatment station for the victims that were expected to pour across the bridge in an effort to try and make it home after the attack.

As we gathered our equipment and personnel, it struck me that I was surrounded by well-trained volunteers from my community. There were college students, business people, firefighters, EMTs, police officers, and others that comprise this unit and they all left work and responded to the call. As our task force made its way from our town to its assigned point, people actually pulled their cars over (a rarity in the New York metro area) and waved out the window for us to go by. Some even shouted, "Go get them". On our way we drove by hastily assembled checkpoints, some manned by obviously off-duty officers who were wearing jeans and a t-shirt with their badges hanging around their necks and guns tucked in their belts.

When we arrived at the GW Bridge Plaza, you could see fire trucks and ambulances, three lanes across, bumper to bumper, sitting and waiting for instructions. Most of these also manned by volunteers. Some of them from towns as far as 100 miles away. All of them mobilized by the various mutual aid and disaster response agencies in the state. They all sat quietly waiting.

We were rerouted to a football field in the local high school where we set up. We were assigned a task force of 20 ambulances to transport our injured to hospitals around the state. Once we set up, people came from surrounding apartment buildings asking us to take blood (which we can't as EMTs). In addition, the high school opened its facility and made all its staff available to us. The man assigned to me as my "runner" (a person who literally runs paperwork from one officer to another to facilitate patient tracking), came to me and said, "Tell me whatever you need me to do." He was later introduced as the principal, someone who is used to running the whole thing.

This type of behavior was repeated throughout the day and throughout the state. In the Meadowlands, a huge staging area was set up and task forces arrived from as far as Delaware and Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, as we all know, most of these resources were not needed because those who made it out were able to receive treatment in NYC and those who didn't couldn't use our help.

The point of the story is, as we remember those who fell, we should also remember that today, just as on September 11, 2001...........we've got your back.

Thoughts anyone?