Our church hosted an ice cream social for the homeless in our back parking lot this evening. We are located next to the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita, so this was a good place for people to gather. We had a good crowd and constant flow of people in and out.
We went to help out. I’ve not had a chance to do this kind of thing very often, and appreciated the opportunity to be part of this outing. While there, I struck up conversations with a couple of folks who came. One older man was talking cattle, which I know something of, so I started conversing with him. Now, I don’t know how much he embellishes what he says, but he says he is a descendent of one of the Miller boys who ran the old Miller Brothers 101 Ranch in northern Oklahoma. He had a clipping from a newspaper that he retrieved from his old car, and told me all about the fact that his family had been in ranching, oil, and entertaining people with a western show.I never knew anything about that, but according to this Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miller_Brothers_101_Ranch), what he was saying, if he was indeed related, had more truth than not. How he ended up homeless and at our ice cream social was anyone’s guess.
I talked with another man who was raised around horses, whether on a ranch or some other way, I don’t know. His woman (whether wife or not I don’t know) had just had surgery on her appendix 8 days ago. The man said they had been carnival workers, but weren’t now. Neither of them had any teeth to speak of, and they weren’t any older than about 40. It was obvious that life had been hard on them, and it showed.
The man ended our conversation by telling us that he has been blessed in life. He did equivocate just a little about his present circumstance, but didn’t retract his blessed comment. He just seemed to be more puzzled at his lot in life right now than anything else.
As these people melted back into the downtown area…some along the river, others in cars, and still others out to the streets, I had to wonder several things. Where were they going? What waited for them tonight? How is our present health care system working for them (including dental care)? Why did they end up where they are now? What else we can do that would be meaningful and pertinent for these folks? Why do I often feel like I’m not especially blessed and I have much, much more than the man did who said he has been blessed? How many church groups would invite this kind of people to their place of worship and rub shoulders with them, eat with them, and visit with them?
I’m still thinking. I may be thinking for a long time to come.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Take a Cue
Well, it’s Saturday morning. About the only things I have planned today are to cut the grass, get a haircut, and work out at the Y. This evening, we will go to our nephew’s new home over by Cheney Lake and enjoy a time with the wife’s family.
Some of my readers weren’t happy with the politics of Ted Kennedy. Others may well embrace at least some of what he championed. Some of my readers may even be happy he’s no longer in the Senate, although I can’t imagine any who would wish him death by brain cancer.
Regardless of Mr. Kennedy’s politics, regardless of his personal failures, and regardless of the tragedies that struck his family, this nation has suffered loss. I don’t think it’s loss as great as some on the television would have us believe, and we will indeed go on without him. No one is indispensible.
Mr. Kennedy was one of the last of the old line politicians who talked a hard line, was eloquent in speech, and yet reached out for consensus when necessary from those he politically opposed. He could revile the political positions of his opponents with words that dug deep into the issue, yet a few minutes later would be cracking jokes and schmoozing with the same politicos he earlier was skewering. By the way, Robert Dole was also one of this club. It cuts across party lines.
We could learn from that kind of behavior. We tend to let things become very personal very quickly when someone disagrees with us. We tend to see the bad in them and want to conjure up all sorts of personal vendettas. How dare they oppose us!
What we fail to see is that it isn’t (or shouldn’t be) personal at all. Not agreeing with someone’s position on an issue, whether political, religious, or personal, does not (or should not) equate with not liking someone. To be able to have a civil discussion of whatever the issue is while maintaining a positive personal relationship is all the harder in this age of Limbaugh-esque antics and behavior. We would do well to turn off Fox News (or MSNBC) and take our civility cues from our parents and grandparents who, I hope, taught us much, much better than anything we see on the tube.
Some of my readers weren’t happy with the politics of Ted Kennedy. Others may well embrace at least some of what he championed. Some of my readers may even be happy he’s no longer in the Senate, although I can’t imagine any who would wish him death by brain cancer.
Regardless of Mr. Kennedy’s politics, regardless of his personal failures, and regardless of the tragedies that struck his family, this nation has suffered loss. I don’t think it’s loss as great as some on the television would have us believe, and we will indeed go on without him. No one is indispensible.
Mr. Kennedy was one of the last of the old line politicians who talked a hard line, was eloquent in speech, and yet reached out for consensus when necessary from those he politically opposed. He could revile the political positions of his opponents with words that dug deep into the issue, yet a few minutes later would be cracking jokes and schmoozing with the same politicos he earlier was skewering. By the way, Robert Dole was also one of this club. It cuts across party lines.
We could learn from that kind of behavior. We tend to let things become very personal very quickly when someone disagrees with us. We tend to see the bad in them and want to conjure up all sorts of personal vendettas. How dare they oppose us!
What we fail to see is that it isn’t (or shouldn’t be) personal at all. Not agreeing with someone’s position on an issue, whether political, religious, or personal, does not (or should not) equate with not liking someone. To be able to have a civil discussion of whatever the issue is while maintaining a positive personal relationship is all the harder in this age of Limbaugh-esque antics and behavior. We would do well to turn off Fox News (or MSNBC) and take our civility cues from our parents and grandparents who, I hope, taught us much, much better than anything we see on the tube.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What am I Going to Do?
A month or so ago, I heard about an explosion and fire in downtown Anthony, Kansas. It happened in an alley and caught the adjoining buildings on fire. Being old, those business buildings went up in flames rather quickly, and required the help of several neighboring fire departments to control the flames. I had hoped that only one or two businesses were affected because Anthony is near where I grew up and has at least a semblance of a downtown business district yet.
A few days ago, I was visiting with someone at the place where I work. He was telling me that virtually the whole block went up. Only the businesses on either end of the block were saved. My heart sank because one of my favorite clothing stores went up in flames since it was in that block. I checked articles on line and received confirmation that Mueller Brothers clothing store did indeed cease to exist because of the fire.
Those businesses that were lost will not be rebuilt. There’s not enough money, even with insurance, to do that. The businesses, including Mueller Brothers, did not have enough value as a business to warrant a moving or rebuilding in any event. In a small community, when something like this happens, the economy of the time is that these places just disappear.
I recall visiting Mueller Brothers as a boy. There was a certain smell that men’s clothing stores had, and Mueller Brothers had that smell. I recall being fitted for a suit by one or more really old men (at least they looked old to me). We didn’t have a lot of money, and I didn’t get to have a new suit of clothes very often. More often than not, I got hand-me-downs from my older brothers.
Later, when we moved back to that area after I was married and had a family, I started going back there, purchasing suits, shoes, socks, shirts, and whatever else I needed. The service was good, the quality was great, and I truly enjoyed the experience.
I’m still wearing dress socks I bought there in 1994. They look as good today (no kidding) as they did then. I think I could wear them until I croak. I have several shirts, socks, three or four pair of shoes, and other haberdashery that I’ve bought there.
Just a couple of months ago, my sister and I made a day trip on a Saturday down to Anthony. One of our stops was at Mueller Brothers where I bought two pair of shoes and some shirts. That same men’s store smell from 50 years ago was there…ever present. The only thing missing was the old men. Now, there was a man, his wife, and grown daughter minding the store.
And now there is no one. I’m not certain where I’m going to buy my shoes. It’s kind of like where I’m going to buy my next vehicle. I just don’t like the mega-dealers in Sedgwick County, but back home I don’t know those dealers any more, or even if anyone sells cars down there. Maybe I’ll just get my shoes re-soled and re-heeled for the next 30 years or so. They are of good enough quality that I think I might just be able to do that.
A few days ago, I was visiting with someone at the place where I work. He was telling me that virtually the whole block went up. Only the businesses on either end of the block were saved. My heart sank because one of my favorite clothing stores went up in flames since it was in that block. I checked articles on line and received confirmation that Mueller Brothers clothing store did indeed cease to exist because of the fire.
Those businesses that were lost will not be rebuilt. There’s not enough money, even with insurance, to do that. The businesses, including Mueller Brothers, did not have enough value as a business to warrant a moving or rebuilding in any event. In a small community, when something like this happens, the economy of the time is that these places just disappear.
I recall visiting Mueller Brothers as a boy. There was a certain smell that men’s clothing stores had, and Mueller Brothers had that smell. I recall being fitted for a suit by one or more really old men (at least they looked old to me). We didn’t have a lot of money, and I didn’t get to have a new suit of clothes very often. More often than not, I got hand-me-downs from my older brothers.
Later, when we moved back to that area after I was married and had a family, I started going back there, purchasing suits, shoes, socks, shirts, and whatever else I needed. The service was good, the quality was great, and I truly enjoyed the experience.
I’m still wearing dress socks I bought there in 1994. They look as good today (no kidding) as they did then. I think I could wear them until I croak. I have several shirts, socks, three or four pair of shoes, and other haberdashery that I’ve bought there.
Just a couple of months ago, my sister and I made a day trip on a Saturday down to Anthony. One of our stops was at Mueller Brothers where I bought two pair of shoes and some shirts. That same men’s store smell from 50 years ago was there…ever present. The only thing missing was the old men. Now, there was a man, his wife, and grown daughter minding the store.
And now there is no one. I’m not certain where I’m going to buy my shoes. It’s kind of like where I’m going to buy my next vehicle. I just don’t like the mega-dealers in Sedgwick County, but back home I don’t know those dealers any more, or even if anyone sells cars down there. Maybe I’ll just get my shoes re-soled and re-heeled for the next 30 years or so. They are of good enough quality that I think I might just be able to do that.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Making Music
As I relax this evening from a hard day’s work (Mondays always seem to be a little tougher than the rest of the week, for some reason), I put in an video of Bill Gaither and his Homecoming Friends. Now, I know some of you may not appreciate my choice in music, and that’s OK. I’ve several of those tapes and DVDs, and have grown to appreciate them more and more.
The videos I have are all several years old, and many of those featured in the videos are no longer living. That makes them even more special, as the talent and ability of these folks has been preserved for those like us who appreciate so much what they do to the glory of God.
I don’t know the hearts of all of these folks. There are surely some who are in the business to just make a living. Others may be in the business for what glory comes to them. But I suspect that far and away the most of the people in Mr. Gaither’s videos are there because of their desire to glorify the God of Heaven. There are different talents, different abilities, and different kinds of music in these videos, all loosely under the Southern Gospel umbrella.
I have to wonder, if God gives us all different talents and abilities, and expects us to use them to His glory, why it is that some believe that certain of those expressions of love and devotion to God are somehow sinful because of the particular talent or ability that is used. I can’t imagine a God giving someone a certain ability and talent, then forbidding him or her from using it to the glory of God and the calling of men and women to faith. God expects us to use what we’re given. Scripture is quite clear on that matter.
Regardless of how you might view that last paragraph, seeing and hearing J D Sumner and the Stamps quartet sing “Let Us Break Bread Together” is truly priceless, and all the more so since Mr. Sumner is no longer with us (even though the Stamps Quartet goes on). There are many such priceless performances by such as Hovie Lister, the Cathedrals, the Martins, the Happy Goodmans and many others. I appreciate the efforts of Mr. Gaither to preserve these performances.
The videos I have are all several years old, and many of those featured in the videos are no longer living. That makes them even more special, as the talent and ability of these folks has been preserved for those like us who appreciate so much what they do to the glory of God.
I don’t know the hearts of all of these folks. There are surely some who are in the business to just make a living. Others may be in the business for what glory comes to them. But I suspect that far and away the most of the people in Mr. Gaither’s videos are there because of their desire to glorify the God of Heaven. There are different talents, different abilities, and different kinds of music in these videos, all loosely under the Southern Gospel umbrella.
I have to wonder, if God gives us all different talents and abilities, and expects us to use them to His glory, why it is that some believe that certain of those expressions of love and devotion to God are somehow sinful because of the particular talent or ability that is used. I can’t imagine a God giving someone a certain ability and talent, then forbidding him or her from using it to the glory of God and the calling of men and women to faith. God expects us to use what we’re given. Scripture is quite clear on that matter.
Regardless of how you might view that last paragraph, seeing and hearing J D Sumner and the Stamps quartet sing “Let Us Break Bread Together” is truly priceless, and all the more so since Mr. Sumner is no longer with us (even though the Stamps Quartet goes on). There are many such priceless performances by such as Hovie Lister, the Cathedrals, the Martins, the Happy Goodmans and many others. I appreciate the efforts of Mr. Gaither to preserve these performances.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Weekend Musings
Most weekends find me doing some soul-searching and introspection at some point during the weekend. I don’t know why, necessarily, and I don’t know what to make of it. But I find myself more and more asking questions such as “Why am I here?” I try to make sense of the beauty of the creation out my back yard and think about the amazing blessings of living here in this place at this time. I wonder what lies ahead for my wife and myself, and wonder if we really will have financial resources to retire and will God really care for us (even though it’s obvious that He has in the past and I have no reason to doubt His provision for the future).
I think about my work on the Missions committee of our church and where I need to steer the committee as its chair. I consider the interaction and fellowship we had with the church folks (or if it’s Saturday, I think with true joy about that fellowship the next day). I wonder about some of the things we did in the past and wonder how we ever made it this far. I think about our family, our boys as well as our extended family tree. In other words, over the course of a weekend, I may think “around the world” before coming to rest in the here and now on Sunday evening.
Just this evening as we were at the coffeehouse put on by our church youth, I saw some small children playing and thought of our own boys as they were that age. For just a moment, I was reliving some wondrous memories of them in their toddler years. And although those times will never come again, I think with fondness how they’ve grown and matured and have created family units of their own. The tears flow rather easily during times like this, as they are even now as I write this, thinking again about some of those times and seasons.
So, what do I make of this? Is this a sign of old age creeping up? Is it s sign that I secretly long for children again or that I wish I was 32 again? No, I don’t think so. I think it’s an acknowledgement that life is brief. It’s recognition of the incredible and astonishing blessings that have come our way in our lives here. It’s also a concession to the inexorable march of time and the promise of something much, much better than even this.
No, I don’t spend the entire weekend thus occupied. But for a few minutes each weekend, I feel like I need the grounding that this kind of mental exercise provides. I also need the strength to face the coming week and the grace to get through the days ahead. This seems to do it, and I’m grateful God has given me the intellect to not only do it, but appreciate it.
I think about my work on the Missions committee of our church and where I need to steer the committee as its chair. I consider the interaction and fellowship we had with the church folks (or if it’s Saturday, I think with true joy about that fellowship the next day). I wonder about some of the things we did in the past and wonder how we ever made it this far. I think about our family, our boys as well as our extended family tree. In other words, over the course of a weekend, I may think “around the world” before coming to rest in the here and now on Sunday evening.
Just this evening as we were at the coffeehouse put on by our church youth, I saw some small children playing and thought of our own boys as they were that age. For just a moment, I was reliving some wondrous memories of them in their toddler years. And although those times will never come again, I think with fondness how they’ve grown and matured and have created family units of their own. The tears flow rather easily during times like this, as they are even now as I write this, thinking again about some of those times and seasons.
So, what do I make of this? Is this a sign of old age creeping up? Is it s sign that I secretly long for children again or that I wish I was 32 again? No, I don’t think so. I think it’s an acknowledgement that life is brief. It’s recognition of the incredible and astonishing blessings that have come our way in our lives here. It’s also a concession to the inexorable march of time and the promise of something much, much better than even this.
No, I don’t spend the entire weekend thus occupied. But for a few minutes each weekend, I feel like I need the grounding that this kind of mental exercise provides. I also need the strength to face the coming week and the grace to get through the days ahead. This seems to do it, and I’m grateful God has given me the intellect to not only do it, but appreciate it.
What Matters Most
Normally, I write something for the blog no later than Saturday afternoon. But this weekend, it just didn’t seem like the thing to do. I don’t know why, but one sometimes just gets the notion that what has been done many times in the past just shouldn’t be done this time in this way. However, I do want to maintain the connection with you, so am writing now, on Sunday afternoon.
I noticed a couple of things worthy of my blog (if you’re a regular, you know that isn’t a very lofty goal). The first was something I saw yesterday evening as I was making my way to our son’s place where Grandma was already there watching the grandkids. I stayed behind to catch up on some work and mow the yard.
While on the way, I saw a bicycle-built-for-two and, of course, it had two riders on it. However, the bike was constructed differently than I had ever seen a tandem built before. The first seat was of regular size for regular people. The second was clearly built for the smaller among us, our children. There was a dad, I presume, and his daughter riding on this thing and having a good time, it seemed.
What struck me was that someone had the foresight to think of such a thing and either build it or have it built. There probably aren’t that many of that kind of tandem bike in the world, but what a great idea.
The second is all the talk about the economy, health care, and other assorted ills of the world and of society. Much of that talk is negative, and much of it, I think, is fed by the 24 hour so-called news channels on cable TV. I say so-called, because what they do isn’t news; it’s commentary and opinion.
I’ve written about this before, but I’ll say it again. All I have to do to get away from the negative and the bad is go out on the back patio. There, I find that fish are still swimming in our pond, trees are still growing and waving in the breeze, birds still feed at the feeders, and frogs still croak in the quiet of the evening. In other words, the bad news isn’t all there is to life, and life, indeed the creation, will go on regardless of the value of the dollar, whether a democrat or a republican is in the presidency, and whether or not Rush Limbaugh says anything stupid (a half-hearted pardon to those who listen to him).
I’m reminded of what Dr. James Dobson says at the close of his “A Father Looks Back” tape. He says something to the effect of, “When all of my life is boiled down to its basic roots, what truly matters is whether I have loved the Lord God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and whether I have loved my neighbor as myself.”
If we can continue to have that first and centered in our consciences, all of the rest will seem rather superfluous and like the “sounding gong and clanging cymbal” of I Corinthians 13.
I noticed a couple of things worthy of my blog (if you’re a regular, you know that isn’t a very lofty goal). The first was something I saw yesterday evening as I was making my way to our son’s place where Grandma was already there watching the grandkids. I stayed behind to catch up on some work and mow the yard.
While on the way, I saw a bicycle-built-for-two and, of course, it had two riders on it. However, the bike was constructed differently than I had ever seen a tandem built before. The first seat was of regular size for regular people. The second was clearly built for the smaller among us, our children. There was a dad, I presume, and his daughter riding on this thing and having a good time, it seemed.
What struck me was that someone had the foresight to think of such a thing and either build it or have it built. There probably aren’t that many of that kind of tandem bike in the world, but what a great idea.
The second is all the talk about the economy, health care, and other assorted ills of the world and of society. Much of that talk is negative, and much of it, I think, is fed by the 24 hour so-called news channels on cable TV. I say so-called, because what they do isn’t news; it’s commentary and opinion.
I’ve written about this before, but I’ll say it again. All I have to do to get away from the negative and the bad is go out on the back patio. There, I find that fish are still swimming in our pond, trees are still growing and waving in the breeze, birds still feed at the feeders, and frogs still croak in the quiet of the evening. In other words, the bad news isn’t all there is to life, and life, indeed the creation, will go on regardless of the value of the dollar, whether a democrat or a republican is in the presidency, and whether or not Rush Limbaugh says anything stupid (a half-hearted pardon to those who listen to him).
I’m reminded of what Dr. James Dobson says at the close of his “A Father Looks Back” tape. He says something to the effect of, “When all of my life is boiled down to its basic roots, what truly matters is whether I have loved the Lord God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and whether I have loved my neighbor as myself.”
If we can continue to have that first and centered in our consciences, all of the rest will seem rather superfluous and like the “sounding gong and clanging cymbal” of I Corinthians 13.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Hummers (of the natural variety)
A few weeks ago, I put a hummingbird feeder on the back patio behind the dining area of our home. A couple of hummers, one male and one female, are regular visitors to the feeder, especially later in the afternoon.
I have been fascinated by these birds since I was a child, but this is, if I recall correctly, the first time I’ve been able to attract hummers with a feeder on a regular basis. I don’t know if you’ve seen hummingbirds up close, but they are well worth the work it takes to keep the feeder clean and filled.
The ruby-throated hummingbird, the only variety of hummer that consistently appears east of the Rockies, is one of the smaller of the species. Adults weigh in at about 3 to 4 grams, or about 1/8 of an ounce. Some other remarkable statistics are that their body temperature is in the 105 to 108 degree range, their eggs are about the size of peas, and their heart rate can be as high as 1,200 beats per minute in flight.
Their nests are the size of walnuts and they can briefly fly as fast as 60 miles an hour. Their normal flight speed is about half that. Their wings beat from 40 to 80 times a second and their respirations are about 250 per minute.
They are the only bird, as you know, that can hover, fly backward, forward, up, down, and even upside down (credit National Geographic Magazine). Their wings are hinged at the shoulders in such a way that they can exquisitely control their flight so that their bodies remain virtually stationary while their wings and tail furiously maintain their position. During much of their acrobatics, the wings beat opposite one-another. That is, one wing will be down while the other is up.
Many of these diminutive birds will migrate in the fall from the Gulf coast to the northern coast of South America, making the 500 mile flight over a span of 15 to 18 hours, non-stop. They then come back in February and gradually make their way up into the rest of the country during the spring and summer months.
This is probably more information than you really wanted to know about the hummer. I encourage you to view a video of hummers in flight. See it in HD and watch it full screen on YouTube. The URL is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0HqfO9d9-U&annotation_id=annotation_275200&feature=iv
I have been fascinated by these birds since I was a child, but this is, if I recall correctly, the first time I’ve been able to attract hummers with a feeder on a regular basis. I don’t know if you’ve seen hummingbirds up close, but they are well worth the work it takes to keep the feeder clean and filled.
The ruby-throated hummingbird, the only variety of hummer that consistently appears east of the Rockies, is one of the smaller of the species. Adults weigh in at about 3 to 4 grams, or about 1/8 of an ounce. Some other remarkable statistics are that their body temperature is in the 105 to 108 degree range, their eggs are about the size of peas, and their heart rate can be as high as 1,200 beats per minute in flight.
Their nests are the size of walnuts and they can briefly fly as fast as 60 miles an hour. Their normal flight speed is about half that. Their wings beat from 40 to 80 times a second and their respirations are about 250 per minute.
They are the only bird, as you know, that can hover, fly backward, forward, up, down, and even upside down (credit National Geographic Magazine). Their wings are hinged at the shoulders in such a way that they can exquisitely control their flight so that their bodies remain virtually stationary while their wings and tail furiously maintain their position. During much of their acrobatics, the wings beat opposite one-another. That is, one wing will be down while the other is up.
Many of these diminutive birds will migrate in the fall from the Gulf coast to the northern coast of South America, making the 500 mile flight over a span of 15 to 18 hours, non-stop. They then come back in February and gradually make their way up into the rest of the country during the spring and summer months.
This is probably more information than you really wanted to know about the hummer. I encourage you to view a video of hummers in flight. See it in HD and watch it full screen on YouTube. The URL is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0HqfO9d9-U&annotation_id=annotation_275200&feature=iv
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Real Issue
Hear me out. The topic of this blog is NOT health care reform, but I need to lay some background.
I’ve been watching some of the town hall meetings going on lately regarding health care. Yes, I think we need to find a way to provide at least basic care other than an emergency room. No, I’m not obsessed with it. No, I don’t have any better ideas. Yes, I have reservations about what is happening now.
The only other thing I think I’ll say about the topic is that there is so much misinformation on both sides being stated, repeated, and believed to the point that it’s virtually impossible to know the truth of the matter. Some things I do know. We already ration care, government is already up to it’s ears in health care (and has been for many years), we already have “socialized” single-payer medicine (Medicare, Medicaid, V.A.), we have, hands down, the best pre-hospital (EMS) medicine in the world, we already have a dire shortage of qualified nurses, physicians, therapists, and other professionals in many areas of the nation, etc. Both sides are to blame, if one is laying blame, for the misinformation.
Might I suggest that one reason the public in general (including me) is leery of whatever is floating out there has more to do with trust and faith in government/politicians/congress/Washington than it has to do with the topic at hand. Government politicians have, over the years, played fast and loose with the faith and trust of the American people to the point that when now they say “Trust us on health care,” we naturally turn a nose to the wind to see what smells and how bad it is. I don’t care if it’s Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, the entire establishment, it seems, has lost the faith and trust of the American people to the extent that anything coming from them is immediately suspect.
And with good reason. They dance around on the meaning of the word “is”. They parry and dodge when it comes to lobbying, money, and influence-peddling. They earmark their way to re-election. And they are masters at obfuscation and not answering a simple question.
They throw billions of borrowed dollars into this black hole or that, trying to plug a self-made recession, and without any meaningful accountability or oversight. They self-righteously condemn out of control borrowing following years of their own largess and lack of control.
The fix for health care, whatever that might be, may have to wait until the American people can see some tangible progress and some real attempt on the part of the Washington establishment to be ethical, moral, and decent in their personal and professional lives, their behavior, and their dealings with us. Until then, yelling at one-another at town hall meetings may be the best we can do.
I’ve been watching some of the town hall meetings going on lately regarding health care. Yes, I think we need to find a way to provide at least basic care other than an emergency room. No, I’m not obsessed with it. No, I don’t have any better ideas. Yes, I have reservations about what is happening now.
The only other thing I think I’ll say about the topic is that there is so much misinformation on both sides being stated, repeated, and believed to the point that it’s virtually impossible to know the truth of the matter. Some things I do know. We already ration care, government is already up to it’s ears in health care (and has been for many years), we already have “socialized” single-payer medicine (Medicare, Medicaid, V.A.), we have, hands down, the best pre-hospital (EMS) medicine in the world, we already have a dire shortage of qualified nurses, physicians, therapists, and other professionals in many areas of the nation, etc. Both sides are to blame, if one is laying blame, for the misinformation.
Might I suggest that one reason the public in general (including me) is leery of whatever is floating out there has more to do with trust and faith in government/politicians/congress/Washington than it has to do with the topic at hand. Government politicians have, over the years, played fast and loose with the faith and trust of the American people to the point that when now they say “Trust us on health care,” we naturally turn a nose to the wind to see what smells and how bad it is. I don’t care if it’s Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, the entire establishment, it seems, has lost the faith and trust of the American people to the extent that anything coming from them is immediately suspect.
And with good reason. They dance around on the meaning of the word “is”. They parry and dodge when it comes to lobbying, money, and influence-peddling. They earmark their way to re-election. And they are masters at obfuscation and not answering a simple question.
They throw billions of borrowed dollars into this black hole or that, trying to plug a self-made recession, and without any meaningful accountability or oversight. They self-righteously condemn out of control borrowing following years of their own largess and lack of control.
The fix for health care, whatever that might be, may have to wait until the American people can see some tangible progress and some real attempt on the part of the Washington establishment to be ethical, moral, and decent in their personal and professional lives, their behavior, and their dealings with us. Until then, yelling at one-another at town hall meetings may be the best we can do.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
A Master At Work
Regardless of what you may think of his politics, watch sometime as President Obama works a crowd. The man is a master at going to a rope line and engaging those who are there in conversation, laughter, and hand-shaking. I don’t think I’ve seen any president that is able to work a crowd better than this man.
That ability will serve him well as he continues into his presidency. He seems able to make a connection with people in a crowd that has been sorely lacking in the last several presidents. Only Kennedy, Reagan and to a lesser extent Clinton came even close to the ability of Mr. Obama to engage the common person.
Oh, by the way, you probably won’t see Mr. Obama work a line on any of the commercial channels. You’ll have to watch one of the C-SPAN channels to see it, but it’s well worth it.
That ability will serve him well as he continues into his presidency. He seems able to make a connection with people in a crowd that has been sorely lacking in the last several presidents. Only Kennedy, Reagan and to a lesser extent Clinton came even close to the ability of Mr. Obama to engage the common person.
Oh, by the way, you probably won’t see Mr. Obama work a line on any of the commercial channels. You’ll have to watch one of the C-SPAN channels to see it, but it’s well worth it.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Friendships
My sister has been, as she says, ruminating about friendship and the differences in the concept of friendship as apprehended by men and women. She also talked of losing one of her circle of friends recently to a move out of state and how that worked for her.
I think she is correct regarding how men and women see friendships differently. I know that’s a generalization and that in real life there are exceptions.
I too think from time to time about friendships and who I could count as what sis would consider to be a close friend, or a friend in an inner circle of some kind. I don’t know that I have such a person right now here in the Wichita area. Possibly the closest might be one or two of the men from church that I see on a regular basis.
However, when I think of that circle of friends, I can think of several who, although I haven’t seen them for perhaps years, I still count as a close friend. In many respects, distance and lack of contact do not diminish that tie, and when we do see each other or visit somehow, we just sort of pick up where we left off and go on.
I can think of Steve and Chris, Troy and Richard, Ron and another Richard. I think of Vern and Earl, of Roy and Bill and another Chris, and several others whom I may not have heard from for quite some time, but I believe that both they and I have each other in the “close friends” column. My wife and family may or may not know who these people are, and that’s OK because they are part of my life and my experiences on this planet.
Is it really possible to maintain a friendship like that? I know that it is because when we do see each other it’s obvious that the tie is still there and the friendship has not diminished because of the passage of time or distance apart.
So when Sis says her hubby has no close friends, she may be correct regarding those he sees every day. However, don’t assume there are no friends in his life. If he’s like me and a lot of other men, he will have those in his background and in his past that he still counts among those who are the closest to him, and he cherishes the memories and relishes the day that he is able to make contact one more time.
I think she is correct regarding how men and women see friendships differently. I know that’s a generalization and that in real life there are exceptions.
I too think from time to time about friendships and who I could count as what sis would consider to be a close friend, or a friend in an inner circle of some kind. I don’t know that I have such a person right now here in the Wichita area. Possibly the closest might be one or two of the men from church that I see on a regular basis.
However, when I think of that circle of friends, I can think of several who, although I haven’t seen them for perhaps years, I still count as a close friend. In many respects, distance and lack of contact do not diminish that tie, and when we do see each other or visit somehow, we just sort of pick up where we left off and go on.
I can think of Steve and Chris, Troy and Richard, Ron and another Richard. I think of Vern and Earl, of Roy and Bill and another Chris, and several others whom I may not have heard from for quite some time, but I believe that both they and I have each other in the “close friends” column. My wife and family may or may not know who these people are, and that’s OK because they are part of my life and my experiences on this planet.
Is it really possible to maintain a friendship like that? I know that it is because when we do see each other it’s obvious that the tie is still there and the friendship has not diminished because of the passage of time or distance apart.
So when Sis says her hubby has no close friends, she may be correct regarding those he sees every day. However, don’t assume there are no friends in his life. If he’s like me and a lot of other men, he will have those in his background and in his past that he still counts among those who are the closest to him, and he cherishes the memories and relishes the day that he is able to make contact one more time.
Friday, August 07, 2009
The Truth
This work week seemed to go by very quickly. It seems that it was only a few hours ago that it was Monday afternoon and now suddenly it’s Friday evening. I have to wonder just how much faster time will seem to fly as I get even older. But they say that time sometimes seems to go very slowly for some of the elderly…those who are infirm or alone. I guess it just depends on one’s perspective.
Speaking of that, I read a blog a few days ago where the writer was talking about absolute truth and our inability to perceive much of it. I agree. There is absolute truth everywhere, but we have difficulty perceiving and understanding it without the biases of our life experiences, perceptions, and incomplete knowledge base. Each of us has our own reality in a very “real” sense. What is reality for me may have no basis in your life experience or knowledge base. The miracle of it all is that we get along as well as we do in spite of our biases and prejudices.
So where does that put the absolute truth of God-breathed words, as many Christians consider the Holy Bible to be? What do we do with that truth? How do we process it? How can we correctly interpret and make useful that truth given our biases, prejudices, and incomplete knowledge? How can we possibly know, as Jesus says, “The truth, and the truth shall make you free?” How can we all agree when we all have different realities to which we relate and in which we live?
I don’t honestly know the answer to this because to take this to its logical conclusion is to admit that we are hopelessly lost in a morass of human frailty and ignorance. For I suspect that we will never in this life know the pure and unvarnished truth of God and His Word, Jesus Christ. I also suspect that the grace of God is covering a whale of a lot of incomplete and inaccurate interpretation and understanding of that truth. But I also suspect that God knows all of this and makes allowances for our fallibility as well as giving us the promise that one day, we will know just as we are known (Paul in the first Corinthian letter).
Speaking of that, I read a blog a few days ago where the writer was talking about absolute truth and our inability to perceive much of it. I agree. There is absolute truth everywhere, but we have difficulty perceiving and understanding it without the biases of our life experiences, perceptions, and incomplete knowledge base. Each of us has our own reality in a very “real” sense. What is reality for me may have no basis in your life experience or knowledge base. The miracle of it all is that we get along as well as we do in spite of our biases and prejudices.
So where does that put the absolute truth of God-breathed words, as many Christians consider the Holy Bible to be? What do we do with that truth? How do we process it? How can we correctly interpret and make useful that truth given our biases, prejudices, and incomplete knowledge? How can we possibly know, as Jesus says, “The truth, and the truth shall make you free?” How can we all agree when we all have different realities to which we relate and in which we live?
I don’t honestly know the answer to this because to take this to its logical conclusion is to admit that we are hopelessly lost in a morass of human frailty and ignorance. For I suspect that we will never in this life know the pure and unvarnished truth of God and His Word, Jesus Christ. I also suspect that the grace of God is covering a whale of a lot of incomplete and inaccurate interpretation and understanding of that truth. But I also suspect that God knows all of this and makes allowances for our fallibility as well as giving us the promise that one day, we will know just as we are known (Paul in the first Corinthian letter).
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Spider Update
I told you yesterday about the orb spider that had made a web off of our front porch. I went outside this morning to retrieve the Sunday paper and looked at where the web had been. There was no trace of a web…no floating stringers, nothing.
I don’t think it was destroyed by out side “forces” as there would probably be remnants of the web somewhere around. I am told that many orb spiders spin the web for a short time only to eat it later and spin another one the next night. I don’t know if this is what happened or not, but I plan to look there tonight to see if she is there.
I don’t think it was destroyed by out side “forces” as there would probably be remnants of the web somewhere around. I am told that many orb spiders spin the web for a short time only to eat it later and spin another one the next night. I don’t know if this is what happened or not, but I plan to look there tonight to see if she is there.
Role Model
Normally, I read “Parade” magazine, which is included in our Sunday newspaper. There isn’t usually that much in there that interests me, but some of the continuing columns, etc. have value to me. This week, however, I was taken by an article about the chief of police of Washington, D.C.
Her name (yes, “her”) is Cathy Lanier and she is a great example of someone who has not only overcome her childhood and teen years (she was a pregnant high school drop-out at age 14), but has taken on the (still predominantly) male establishment with grit and toughness.
I don’t know any more about her than what is in the article (http://www.parade.com/news/2009/08/02-new-ways-to-stop-crime.html) but I always like to hear stories like this. It does my heart good to know that people can indeed rise above the circumstance of life they are in and be a good role model for others in a similar situation. I am especially pleased when women or minorities are featured in ways such as this and hope the day will come when this kind of success becomes the total norm for everyone.
Her name (yes, “her”) is Cathy Lanier and she is a great example of someone who has not only overcome her childhood and teen years (she was a pregnant high school drop-out at age 14), but has taken on the (still predominantly) male establishment with grit and toughness.
I don’t know any more about her than what is in the article (http://www.parade.com/news/2009/08/02-new-ways-to-stop-crime.html) but I always like to hear stories like this. It does my heart good to know that people can indeed rise above the circumstance of life they are in and be a good role model for others in a similar situation. I am especially pleased when women or minorities are featured in ways such as this and hope the day will come when this kind of success becomes the total norm for everyone.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Spiders and Things
Tonight I saw the first orb spider and her web outside. Is that a harbinger of the fall season to come?
I had gone out the front door to just look around about 10:15 tonight and saw right beside the outdoor light a web and large orb spider right in the middle of it. She had built in a good place as the light was on and was attracting bugs. It looked like a few had already been caught.
I am fascinated by these spiders and the engineering that they do when they build a web. They must have a sense of where they are and what is in their near environment in order to fasten the web to the right places. They must also have some sense of weather, wind, and other factors.
I’ve never seen a spider build a web. I’d love to do that. One of these days, maybe I’ll get the chance.
Otherwise, this day was a great day. The temperature was about 80 degrees and the wind was cool from the north. There were birds and dragonflies in the air and the day was one of general chores and relaxation from the harried work week just past. Those kinds of days are few and far between, it seems.
Tomorrow will be warmer, but pleasant, they say. Perhaps by evening I’ll be ready for the work week to come, but for now I’ll enjoy this evening and night.
I had gone out the front door to just look around about 10:15 tonight and saw right beside the outdoor light a web and large orb spider right in the middle of it. She had built in a good place as the light was on and was attracting bugs. It looked like a few had already been caught.
I am fascinated by these spiders and the engineering that they do when they build a web. They must have a sense of where they are and what is in their near environment in order to fasten the web to the right places. They must also have some sense of weather, wind, and other factors.
I’ve never seen a spider build a web. I’d love to do that. One of these days, maybe I’ll get the chance.
Otherwise, this day was a great day. The temperature was about 80 degrees and the wind was cool from the north. There were birds and dragonflies in the air and the day was one of general chores and relaxation from the harried work week just past. Those kinds of days are few and far between, it seems.
Tomorrow will be warmer, but pleasant, they say. Perhaps by evening I’ll be ready for the work week to come, but for now I’ll enjoy this evening and night.
Saturday Things
After a week at work that seemed to be one disaster after another, waking up today at 8:45am was almost heaven. I must have been really tired because a storm came through last night and I never heard it. Normally, I hear those things readily and wake up.
So this morning has been slow so far. I’ve made coffee, checked the rain gauge (just over an inch) and read the paper. On the agenda today is checking out a tire store for new tires for the car and let’s see…what else was there?
My sister and sister-in-law are spending their last few days on vacation before they start back with their respective school systems. One is a teacher; the other a psychologist. The teacher says she has been working to get ready for the fall for some time now, and even the psychologist has things to do over the summer break.
Although it seems that the summer break is a long time off for school employees, and although I joke with them about it from time to time, I know that when they are at work, they give 110% . in an environment and in a job that not many can do because very few have what it takes to do the job and do it right. The time off is well-earned.
It’s kind of like all of the complaints I’m hearing nowadays regarding President Obama’s frequent trips to here or there, sometimes with his family in tow. The man is the leader of the free world, for heaven’s sake. I don’t care what the person’s politics is…whatever “perks” one might receive do not adequately compensate for the stress, turmoil, responsibility, and constant living in a glass house that come with the presidency.
They earn Secret Service protection after they are no longer President. They earn generous stipends to maintain an office after leaving office. They earn the pension given to each of them. They earn the permanent respect and dignity that befalls such service.
I suppose it’s time to get up and do something, even if it’s wrong. I enjoy days like this and hope your Saturday is just as enjoyable.
So this morning has been slow so far. I’ve made coffee, checked the rain gauge (just over an inch) and read the paper. On the agenda today is checking out a tire store for new tires for the car and let’s see…what else was there?
My sister and sister-in-law are spending their last few days on vacation before they start back with their respective school systems. One is a teacher; the other a psychologist. The teacher says she has been working to get ready for the fall for some time now, and even the psychologist has things to do over the summer break.
Although it seems that the summer break is a long time off for school employees, and although I joke with them about it from time to time, I know that when they are at work, they give 110% . in an environment and in a job that not many can do because very few have what it takes to do the job and do it right. The time off is well-earned.
It’s kind of like all of the complaints I’m hearing nowadays regarding President Obama’s frequent trips to here or there, sometimes with his family in tow. The man is the leader of the free world, for heaven’s sake. I don’t care what the person’s politics is…whatever “perks” one might receive do not adequately compensate for the stress, turmoil, responsibility, and constant living in a glass house that come with the presidency.
They earn Secret Service protection after they are no longer President. They earn generous stipends to maintain an office after leaving office. They earn the pension given to each of them. They earn the permanent respect and dignity that befalls such service.
I suppose it’s time to get up and do something, even if it’s wrong. I enjoy days like this and hope your Saturday is just as enjoyable.
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