My daughter wanted a dog so I got one, a chihuahua. The doge has a white soft coat with a very light brown highlights. He is an idiot and not fixed nor chipped. The dog is very protective of me, I got him as a puppy and he had been abused. He doesn't like most men; but, he decided I was his person. He doesn't even like to see someone hug me, I am his.
Let me tell you how bad this dog has it for me. If I am in the bedroom and his food is in the kitchen, he won't eat. I have never seen such a thing and have had many dogs, I have had abused dogs and they loved me, it just takes some time, consistancy and love. I have never had one like this, it used to cry for an hour when I left my house and there were people it knew in my house. I have been told that when I sleep the dog lays on me and watches the door, this dog would protect me with it's life and everybody that knows him figures that out first.
When I moved out of my house I needed a place to live. Oh, yeah, hooray, I just found out today that the tranfer documents were recorded and I am no longer a home owner and don't ever want to be one again unless I can pay cash and someone else will maintain the property, hey, I can do that in an apartment. Not the point but it did brighten my day.
I am not going to write what I was going to write, I have changed my mind. I watched someone commit business suicide today. It was like a bad train wreck, some people just don't listen or feel immune from their actions. I fix problems after they occur, that is my job and I am good at it. Some problems cannot be fixed, you have to start over. Some people don't learn and insist upon making the same problem or doing the same wrong thing until they come to a complete halt and have to start over, I have seen this a million times.
You can get ahead by blaming others for all problems; but, when you get up high enough, you don't get to do that and eventually you are asked why you never fixed the problems rather than what caused them. Eventually bad behaviour is not rewarded eventually it is exposed, how we deal with that determines if we survive long enough to learn. That aint going to happen this time. Bad behaviour only works to a point and then it falls apart completely because nobody support you, nobody likes you and it is when you can't buy cookies, when nobody trusts you.
I will tell you one of the ways in which I have been blessed. I began supervising and managing at 12. Wild, huh? People are very loyal to me that work for me, even one's that do not like my personality know that I am fair and let them do their job. It may sound false to people who don't work with me; but, people in my organization read this and people that used to work for me.
Sorry again, long interruption by a family memberm be well.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Something Pretty
I have been at this blog for a while now and I don't think I talk enough about postitive things. I love talking about quantum physics i a way that people who are unfamiliar with it can understand what they are seeing, without all the fancy science, the theory. That is something very positive about people, we can understand in our way.
I read an article today where someone was discussing quantum physics and thought they did a good job, they discussed the existance of the completely insane quantum entanglement. He talked about how the human eye was used in an experiment to witness a certain atomic reaction by it's effect. There is much beauty in nature and it is a result of these impacts of the "laws of nature"; but, they are not laws. Nature is, the "laws" are our attempts to understand nature. We can understand it by looking at it too.
In the bible is says that none can deny that they were aware of God, that he showed himself in the sky and the world all around us. I want to share some pictures and then talk some more.
Each of these pictures show the beauty of nature, of this world that the Lord has created for us to live on for awhile. Sometimes I forget to enjoy nature, sometimes I am so focused on doing what needs to be done that I forget how pretty this place can be.
This place can be tough a lot, it can be very taxing and disturbing. Then I see a baby or a young toddler trying to talk to their mother and I think, we are worth existing. I am an old sheepdog and have spent too much time trying to get the sheep to do better and to not be devoured. Never been suicidal and always hated this world. The only one that ever appreciates a sheepdog is the Shepherd and the sheepdog doesn't get to interact with his own much.
I lived in the desert for about 20 years and loved it, the desert has a quiet and still adventure that you can witness if you slow down your heart and your head and just experience. I once again live is a very green area and it is also lovely with it's wild nature and vibrance. I like both. I have lived in the snow, it is lovely; but, I got frostbite and it wasn't worth living in it to me. I was always fascinated with Polynesia and it's people, it led me to be Coast Guard certified at 15 and join the Navy ROTC, I like the ocean inside a boat.
A nice musical video
Why is it that we find nature beautiful? Wouldn't it be possible to live on a world that wasn't pretty, perhaps all grey or all sharp objects? But we live on a place that is beautiful, why should such a place exist? It was pretty before the animals came and could appreciate it, so why should it be pretty?
Softness is a bizarre concept, life is most effective at establishing itself when it is the sharpest, not the softest. Soft things existed before the sense of feel. I cannot prove it; but, I bet there were good smelling things before there were animals that could appreciate it.
Honey bees can see the pollen because they see ultraviolet. We are told that they developed this sense through natural selection; but, that is sort of a weak answer, why do all of the flowers show up better in ultraviolet and they did before bees existed at all.
Beauty is to be found in contrasts, in variation. Some variations do not strike our eyes well, they are to sharp and must be softened to be appreciated; but, you need to have the extremes to begin with in order to soften them, limits of extremes, how hard and soft can you be. Our lives are hard and we can become hard; but, we can also become softer, rocks in a river smooth out over time; but, they are still rocks.
Someone recently told me that they thought I should promote one more time; but, that they never thought I should be someone to deal with the press because they said I had no filters. I have filters for that which comes in and that which goes out; but, I can very much be down to business and tell like it is. The truth can be hard on some, I try and soften it; but, I am still a sheepdog and that is what it is.
Over the years I have softened and slowed, most people find this hard to believe that work with me because I am still a sheepdog. You bark a little bit less, you snap a little less hard, no more than is needed and you rest a heck of a lot more, it is tiring chasing sheep.
I will retire in a little over three years and I am ready. I know my business and will probably do some consulting; but, I don't figure I have many battles left in me, kinda beat the odds already, thought I would have been out of the game a decade ago. Not much left to learn that matters at this time; but, I do keep up on things as the readers may have noticed. I will retire alone and on a very modest pension (half to me and half to the ex). I could have retired sooner on a disability pension, I chose not to; but, that doesn't mean I am what I was or ever will be again. Healthier; but, still have the same physical problems (and mental, lol).
I cannot explain what it means to retire as a sheepdog. I don't know how to explain it if you don't understand what it is to be a sheepdog. It means that you risk your well being for the sheep who hate you because it is your nature and it seems to please the Shepherd. Still, to be with another of your kind would be grand.
I am so old and so wore out that I don't want happiness, never knew it and can live without it. That may sound pained, it is not, I would rather know the truth than have pleasure. Lets get the bad part over with over first and the bad part is, it is us that make the mistakes, not God, nobody to blame except ourselves and we don't like that much.
Personal responsibility is a good thing, I like it, we live here and need to do the best we can to make it the best place we can; but, instead we look out for ourselves. that is why I am not a sheep, can't live that life. I think we can and should be better than that, in exchange for long periods of rest and joy, I prefer to be active in the result, that is what it is to be a sheepdog and it only lasts so loing, the end is near for this old dog.
While there is the occasional young lady kind enough to tell me that I have the body of a 29 year old, I am old and learned enough to know that I do not, that my end is approaching, I don't mean my death, though that can happen any day for any of us, I mean my end as a sheepdog, that is coming to a close. I fixate on no longer being relevant, on no longer being a player, a decision maker. My ex assistant who takes such loving concern over me is my gift to the next generation, he has plenty of strength and will use it to do well for the rest of you, I will have the joy of watching; but, it is his time and no longer mine.
I am on my way out, I have learned plenty and hopefully done the best with what I have learned that I could while balancing needs. I don't kmow it all, I have trust in the shepherd also; but, I question him and the sheep, how will I feel when I get to be with my kind, the other sheepdogs, I don't know, but, I think I will feel accepted and I don't know what that feels like.
Enjoy the night and look at the sky, you will see God and all of his creation for the variation tha exists beyond our sentience, pretty neat huh?
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Osama Bin Laden is Reported to be Dead
Hmmmm, don't know that it matters. Nope, doesn't matter and doesn't change a thing. There are many more, just as smart, where he came from. There are many people in Arabia that hate the west. No shortage of haters and many have valid points, they want to run their own countries. I am a pacifist so I certainly don't agree with terrorism; but, I am also Irish and I do know what people will do if you push them enough in their own country.
The problem with thinking that killing one person can stop a war is that one person alone cannot start a war, they need supporters and those don't just stop too often. I regret to say that people will continue to strap bombs to themselves and blow up them and those around them. As for the war in Afghanistan, it cannot be won, the CIA knew this and told the president before we went in. There is nothing to win in Afghanistan, tribal fighting for well over a thousand years.
On a side note, lets talk about Kabbala, a fascinating twist on Judaism. It is sort of the same twist as the gnostics put on Christianity; but, the gnostics have been around longer and are better at it. In about the 13th century Kabbala came into existance, although, many claim it goes back to the time of Adam and Eve and they cannot prove that. It is like how the Masons claim to go back to the Pharohs, no proof.
The spiritual beliefs that are around today come from two basic schools. One believes we can learn to be ourselves and interact with the divine. The other believes either that we are the divine or can become divine. The third school is idiots like Bill Maher who don't believe we matter or exist except for a moment and that we shouldn't even worry about these things. The unexamined life, you know, the life not worth living as the saying goes.
On a side note, if someone has spent their whole life being monitored, having their phone tapped, how could you trust anything you heard? LOL. I like stupidity, it is fun to deal with. Let me put this question another way. Since age 12 my family routinely had our phones tapped, my dad wrote the law for it. Federal law enforcement guy. Today everybody gets tapped, heck, Apple tracks where you go, everybody gets to live my childhood now, how do you like it so far?
We know how there are cameras everywhere, we know that millions of Americans have had their phones tapped without court orders and we know that our e-mail accounts are not secure (no right to privacy on the internet, court said so). You now live my childhood, does it change how you act or what you say? It does and it doesn't for me and you will never know when or why or how, Pimpernel is no fool and his personality and IQ tests will tell you that.
The difference between most people regarding this issue and those who grew up with it is that we handle it differently and don't care, it is more of a place to have fun. If one lives a decent and honest life, they don't have to worry that they will say or do something that deservedly gets them in trouble. The game for us is to flush out the fact that we are being watched, that is the joy and the fun of being monitored. We will make you work for it. For they have eyes but cannot see, that is from the bible, I like the bible, you may have noticed.
Today everybody has a cell phone with a camera. Recently, a couple were photographed having sex at a California University's building, on top of it actually. I would not do such a thing so I don't worry about it. Others don't care that they are seen, those are the two ways that people respond. The crooks just find work arounds, codes and other garbage. That is the problem for the intelligence community, the one's they hear and see and the one's that are not a concern.
Most people see what they are looking for, they put the pieces of every puzzle together the way think the world works. I bet I could crash this blog, I bet I could get the government to sieze it and shut it down, I bet I could say things that would make that happen and I never signed any confidentiality agreement, I never worked for the fed and never had a clearance (I qualified when they offerred to give a commission in the Air Force, I didn't sign up). I like that.
Don't fear the stupid, fear the insane. LMAO. If done properly a game's outcome is determined before the game is begun and it is not begun until both sides decide to play a game. I told some people a couple of years back what would happen on the internet and one of them thought I was paranoid, I bet she doesn't think so now, enjoy your IPhone. People who assume that I don't know what is going on are like Lemmings, test it, test my words and predictions. Hey, Google did invest $168 million dollars in running an electrical company, how many saw that coming, yeah.
Pimpernel is silly and crazy and opinionated and old and cranky; but, stupid, do you really believe that. For those of you who read this blog and do not know me personally (the vast majority) do you read it because you like to make fun of the autistic kid? I am guessing not, I do have a clue, I also have a bad attitude on occassion. I also always have a plan and it is never caught, never completely.
There is a saying in the con artist game, there are only two ways to take advantage of someone, make them think that you have no reason to take advantage of them or make them think they are smarter than you. There is a third and they don't teach that one, my dad did and he was a very smart man, I am trickier because I grew up with it and am a little smarter than my father was or my mother, they passed on some good jeans and I have wrinkled them; but, they are not wore out yet.
A few years ago Pimpernel almost lost it, I certainly was in pain and was very depressed. The funny thing is, I still managed to make a very large amount of money and savings for my employer and others. I never stopped being able to do what is my nature and I never stopped being paranoid, paranoia is your friend not your enemy if you have a reason to be paranoid. Now everybody does except me, I always knew.
It is no longer a secret so I can tell one thing I know. Many years ago, decades in fact, my father was taken into a average looking building, they took him into the basement as I recall and pulled up a computer screen which could access satelite data, he was in an NSA building. They picked one of the people he was with and zoomed in on his house, they looked down his chimney and said he needed to get it cleaned, that was in the early 70s when the government did not even admit that the NSA existed. Pimpernel knows many things and Pimpernel never signed a non-disclosure, he was just a little boy, lol, whose daddy has been dead for many years.
For those of you who do not know me, I am not a good person to mess with. Sorry if that blows your image of me. I am quiet and I like my peace and I like to make things work, I don't like being monitored, I like being left alone. I accept what this world is and how we are monitored, confuse them, be original and don't make it an effort, make it a game, enjoy it. Yes, Apple is storing your information about where you go; but, they also have all of your e-mails, your traded that for technology.
I cannot describe how I feel about my fellow Aspergers brothers and sisters, I can't do it. When they are hurt, it hurts me because it is an attack on all of us, I hope they feel the same and know that they have brothers and sisters who feel for them. Hunter S. Thomposon summed it up best, too weird to live, to unique to die. "To sleep, perchance to dream". Yes, perchance and the lousy chance never comes. Be well.
The problem with thinking that killing one person can stop a war is that one person alone cannot start a war, they need supporters and those don't just stop too often. I regret to say that people will continue to strap bombs to themselves and blow up them and those around them. As for the war in Afghanistan, it cannot be won, the CIA knew this and told the president before we went in. There is nothing to win in Afghanistan, tribal fighting for well over a thousand years.
On a side note, lets talk about Kabbala, a fascinating twist on Judaism. It is sort of the same twist as the gnostics put on Christianity; but, the gnostics have been around longer and are better at it. In about the 13th century Kabbala came into existance, although, many claim it goes back to the time of Adam and Eve and they cannot prove that. It is like how the Masons claim to go back to the Pharohs, no proof.
The spiritual beliefs that are around today come from two basic schools. One believes we can learn to be ourselves and interact with the divine. The other believes either that we are the divine or can become divine. The third school is idiots like Bill Maher who don't believe we matter or exist except for a moment and that we shouldn't even worry about these things. The unexamined life, you know, the life not worth living as the saying goes.
On a side note, if someone has spent their whole life being monitored, having their phone tapped, how could you trust anything you heard? LOL. I like stupidity, it is fun to deal with. Let me put this question another way. Since age 12 my family routinely had our phones tapped, my dad wrote the law for it. Federal law enforcement guy. Today everybody gets tapped, heck, Apple tracks where you go, everybody gets to live my childhood now, how do you like it so far?
We know how there are cameras everywhere, we know that millions of Americans have had their phones tapped without court orders and we know that our e-mail accounts are not secure (no right to privacy on the internet, court said so). You now live my childhood, does it change how you act or what you say? It does and it doesn't for me and you will never know when or why or how, Pimpernel is no fool and his personality and IQ tests will tell you that.
The difference between most people regarding this issue and those who grew up with it is that we handle it differently and don't care, it is more of a place to have fun. If one lives a decent and honest life, they don't have to worry that they will say or do something that deservedly gets them in trouble. The game for us is to flush out the fact that we are being watched, that is the joy and the fun of being monitored. We will make you work for it. For they have eyes but cannot see, that is from the bible, I like the bible, you may have noticed.
Today everybody has a cell phone with a camera. Recently, a couple were photographed having sex at a California University's building, on top of it actually. I would not do such a thing so I don't worry about it. Others don't care that they are seen, those are the two ways that people respond. The crooks just find work arounds, codes and other garbage. That is the problem for the intelligence community, the one's they hear and see and the one's that are not a concern.
Most people see what they are looking for, they put the pieces of every puzzle together the way think the world works. I bet I could crash this blog, I bet I could get the government to sieze it and shut it down, I bet I could say things that would make that happen and I never signed any confidentiality agreement, I never worked for the fed and never had a clearance (I qualified when they offerred to give a commission in the Air Force, I didn't sign up). I like that.
Don't fear the stupid, fear the insane. LMAO. If done properly a game's outcome is determined before the game is begun and it is not begun until both sides decide to play a game. I told some people a couple of years back what would happen on the internet and one of them thought I was paranoid, I bet she doesn't think so now, enjoy your IPhone. People who assume that I don't know what is going on are like Lemmings, test it, test my words and predictions. Hey, Google did invest $168 million dollars in running an electrical company, how many saw that coming, yeah.
Pimpernel is silly and crazy and opinionated and old and cranky; but, stupid, do you really believe that. For those of you who read this blog and do not know me personally (the vast majority) do you read it because you like to make fun of the autistic kid? I am guessing not, I do have a clue, I also have a bad attitude on occassion. I also always have a plan and it is never caught, never completely.
There is a saying in the con artist game, there are only two ways to take advantage of someone, make them think that you have no reason to take advantage of them or make them think they are smarter than you. There is a third and they don't teach that one, my dad did and he was a very smart man, I am trickier because I grew up with it and am a little smarter than my father was or my mother, they passed on some good jeans and I have wrinkled them; but, they are not wore out yet.
A few years ago Pimpernel almost lost it, I certainly was in pain and was very depressed. The funny thing is, I still managed to make a very large amount of money and savings for my employer and others. I never stopped being able to do what is my nature and I never stopped being paranoid, paranoia is your friend not your enemy if you have a reason to be paranoid. Now everybody does except me, I always knew.
It is no longer a secret so I can tell one thing I know. Many years ago, decades in fact, my father was taken into a average looking building, they took him into the basement as I recall and pulled up a computer screen which could access satelite data, he was in an NSA building. They picked one of the people he was with and zoomed in on his house, they looked down his chimney and said he needed to get it cleaned, that was in the early 70s when the government did not even admit that the NSA existed. Pimpernel knows many things and Pimpernel never signed a non-disclosure, he was just a little boy, lol, whose daddy has been dead for many years.
For those of you who do not know me, I am not a good person to mess with. Sorry if that blows your image of me. I am quiet and I like my peace and I like to make things work, I don't like being monitored, I like being left alone. I accept what this world is and how we are monitored, confuse them, be original and don't make it an effort, make it a game, enjoy it. Yes, Apple is storing your information about where you go; but, they also have all of your e-mails, your traded that for technology.
I cannot describe how I feel about my fellow Aspergers brothers and sisters, I can't do it. When they are hurt, it hurts me because it is an attack on all of us, I hope they feel the same and know that they have brothers and sisters who feel for them. Hunter S. Thomposon summed it up best, too weird to live, to unique to die. "To sleep, perchance to dream". Yes, perchance and the lousy chance never comes. Be well.
Mother's Day
Next weekend is Mother's Day. So many have passed since my mother passed away. I was given a little insight into her death that I did not know until yesterday. We shall skip the specifics, see, specifics don't always help.
In either case, I for 25 years had a Mother-In-Law and a wife who is the mother of my children. I have neither anymore. As much as I love my ex-Mother-In-Law, she is no longer my mother-in-law. I would like to continue sending my exMIL a card and flowers; but, it would not be respectful of her daughter, for it is her mother and not mine.
My eldest is my step daughter, raised her since she was one. Heck, I put her through college, that one I cannot give up even though her husband told me she was not my daughter. He doesn't get to make that choice. Why do I see the two situations as different?
I struggle with this. This is why adultery and divorce are not simple matters, they effect everything, unilateral choices that effect everyone around you for the rest of your lives. The ex thought that nothing would change, that is naive and incorrect. I had no choice in the matter and neither did my exMIL, nobody asked us; but, it effected us and our relationship.
Perhaps I would feel different if the ex didn't live with her mother; but, I don't think so. Perhaps I would feel different if we had parted on better terms for a better reason. If the ex had died (not something I want) I would have still been able to have a relationship with my exMIL, probably.
No matter what, she was a wonderful mother in law and I always want her to know that I love her, that doesn't change and never will. She was there for me when my mother died, she was a great comfort. I have been to many funerals, way more than I should have. I probably will not be able to attend my exMIL's funeral and I am okay with that, funerals are for the living. When she does pass away (and as far as I know she is great shape for her age, always was) I will grieve.
Next weekend I will be alone at home, I have no mother to take out and my housemate will be with his mother. I shall probably feel bad that I am not with my exMIL; but, I am sure she will be with her mother and will do something nice for her. I do hope my children remember to send the grandmother a card and let her know how special she is and of course tell their mother how nice it is to have a living mother.
Not everything I write about is topical or spiritual or amusing, some things are just what they are, me trying to figure things out. I have been accused of thinking I know all the answers. Nothing could be further from the truth, I just address the questions that I have on my mind.
For those of you who can, next weekend is a good time to let your mother know that you appreciate her, they aren't with us forever. Father's day is coming up and my father is also dead. I will proably spend that day out of town, I will celebrate that I am a father by myself. Being a parent means that you never get to be right again.
Today I am washing my laundry, doing dishes and general housekeeping. Tommorrow I will go to work and make believe that I care anymore. I will take care of business; but, there is no joy in it anymore, too much resistence to doing things right. Don't feel bad for me, I having the best time of my life, very peaceful.
I got up this morning and saw my housemate, I said "coffee good", he agreed and we stumbled across the street to get some. I walked in and must have seen 5 beautful women. I like to see pretty girls and there are more than I can count where I live. Funny thing is how calm and relaxed it is where I live. The weather is wonderful here, no tornadoes, no floods, no snow.
Someday I may marry again, I guess I could have a new Mother in law; but, it is also possible that if I did marry that at our age, her mother could be dead and I may never get to know her. In either case I will never forget my exMIL and how kind and loving she has been over the years. I hope and believe that she feels the same way about me, I tried to be a good son in law and took good care of her daughter and she knows that.
Have a great day, a nice week and be nice to your mother. Let her know what she did for you and that you appreciate it even if you don't always get along.
In either case, I for 25 years had a Mother-In-Law and a wife who is the mother of my children. I have neither anymore. As much as I love my ex-Mother-In-Law, she is no longer my mother-in-law. I would like to continue sending my exMIL a card and flowers; but, it would not be respectful of her daughter, for it is her mother and not mine.
My eldest is my step daughter, raised her since she was one. Heck, I put her through college, that one I cannot give up even though her husband told me she was not my daughter. He doesn't get to make that choice. Why do I see the two situations as different?
I struggle with this. This is why adultery and divorce are not simple matters, they effect everything, unilateral choices that effect everyone around you for the rest of your lives. The ex thought that nothing would change, that is naive and incorrect. I had no choice in the matter and neither did my exMIL, nobody asked us; but, it effected us and our relationship.
Perhaps I would feel different if the ex didn't live with her mother; but, I don't think so. Perhaps I would feel different if we had parted on better terms for a better reason. If the ex had died (not something I want) I would have still been able to have a relationship with my exMIL, probably.
No matter what, she was a wonderful mother in law and I always want her to know that I love her, that doesn't change and never will. She was there for me when my mother died, she was a great comfort. I have been to many funerals, way more than I should have. I probably will not be able to attend my exMIL's funeral and I am okay with that, funerals are for the living. When she does pass away (and as far as I know she is great shape for her age, always was) I will grieve.
Next weekend I will be alone at home, I have no mother to take out and my housemate will be with his mother. I shall probably feel bad that I am not with my exMIL; but, I am sure she will be with her mother and will do something nice for her. I do hope my children remember to send the grandmother a card and let her know how special she is and of course tell their mother how nice it is to have a living mother.
Not everything I write about is topical or spiritual or amusing, some things are just what they are, me trying to figure things out. I have been accused of thinking I know all the answers. Nothing could be further from the truth, I just address the questions that I have on my mind.
For those of you who can, next weekend is a good time to let your mother know that you appreciate her, they aren't with us forever. Father's day is coming up and my father is also dead. I will proably spend that day out of town, I will celebrate that I am a father by myself. Being a parent means that you never get to be right again.
Today I am washing my laundry, doing dishes and general housekeeping. Tommorrow I will go to work and make believe that I care anymore. I will take care of business; but, there is no joy in it anymore, too much resistence to doing things right. Don't feel bad for me, I having the best time of my life, very peaceful.
I got up this morning and saw my housemate, I said "coffee good", he agreed and we stumbled across the street to get some. I walked in and must have seen 5 beautful women. I like to see pretty girls and there are more than I can count where I live. Funny thing is how calm and relaxed it is where I live. The weather is wonderful here, no tornadoes, no floods, no snow.
Someday I may marry again, I guess I could have a new Mother in law; but, it is also possible that if I did marry that at our age, her mother could be dead and I may never get to know her. In either case I will never forget my exMIL and how kind and loving she has been over the years. I hope and believe that she feels the same way about me, I tried to be a good son in law and took good care of her daughter and she knows that.
Have a great day, a nice week and be nice to your mother. Let her know what she did for you and that you appreciate it even if you don't always get along.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Circumcision
I am going to write about circumcision. I don't personally have an issue with being circumcised; but, I know someone who does and I think their position is worthy of discussing.
Circumcision has been around a long time and done for a variety of reasons. As a Christian I don't see a need for it. The New Testament directly addressed the issue and it was determined that Christians did not need to be circumcised. "Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you." It is important to remember that Paul as a Jew was circumcised and he was saying it was not necessary. It also says to circumcise our hearts. What does it mean to circumcise one's heart?
I am circumcised so I don't know what it is like to be uncircumcised. I can tell you that it is not an issue in my life. Having said that, if I had a son I would not circumcise him. That is my choice. The Jewish people instituted circumcision as a contract between God and Abraham. It says that if one in uncircumcised they will be separated from the other Jews. What was the meaning behind it?
Lets go back to what it said about circumcising one's heart. The foreskin covers one's most private and sensitive part. To remove it is to expose the sensitive area. In regards to our hearts I believe the reference means to open one's heart to God. For the Jews this was done symbolically through physical circumcision and that is where it ended. The Jewish nation by the New Testament times hid their hearts and relied on the physical circumcision. That is what Jesus was condemning.
If one thinks about it the nation of Israel was always focused on the rules rather than the intent and that is why they kept going into exile. Now personally I would think that God should have said that people make the decision for themselves when they are at an age and ability of consent; but, God said it should be done eight days after a child is born. I don't agree; but, that is what it says.
So ethically I take the position that boys should be allowed to choose for themselves. I believe Jesus was our saviour and that we are freed from the Old Testament rules; but, that doesn't mean that the Jews are free from their covenant. I wrestle with this because of my relative for whom this is an issue. I think he has valid points to a degree.
There are many points he has discussed with me, he dismisses any health benefits and believes it lessens the sexual experience. Truth is, I am not convinced that either of those is correct, I don't think we know definitively one way or the other; but, in the end I believe he would be against it even if there were minor health benefits and it did not effect pleasure. I think he would still be against it because of the choice issue, he is free to correct me on this; but, I think he would still be against it.
I have poor eyesight, not terrible just poor, it kept me from being a fighter pilot and I really wanted to be one when I was younger. I don't get laser eye surgery because I am long past being able to be a fighter pilot and wouldn't want to be one anymore, pacifist you know. I don't really think about my eyesight, heck it is now permanently damaged because of a stress injury (central serous retonopathy). My eyes cannot be fixed and I have a permanent grey dot in my eyesight. It doesn't bother me; but, I do understand why others would get the surgery for poor eyesight. It is sort of the same with circumcision, it doesn't bother me; but, I can understand how it could and does bother others.
San Francisco wants to outlaw circumcision, they want to put it on the ballot. This is where I have a problem. In Europe certain countries have outlawed spanking your child, I feel that is wrong. I don't believe government has the right to involve itself in parenting as much as it does. We have to strike a balance between religious freedom, personal freedom and freedom of choice. This balance is different in each person's mind; but, it is central to the relationship between citizens and their government.
If I were Jewish and not Christian I would probably circumcise my child. My relative may be mad at me for thinking that way; but, I have to be truthful. Is it inconsistent with the fact that I don't believe in circumcision as a Christian, not really, I was saying what I would do if I were Jewish and I am not Jewish. This has been an ongoing conversation and my views are not finalized; but, instead continue to evolve as I look at different aspects. The views on government involvement in our lives continue to be against control. Government should only control what is absolutely necessary.
I have previously said that I am against Europe outlawing the burca, still am. I am against the government telling me what I can teach my children. A law was passed mandating the teaching of gay history, I have a problem with that. Mandating that my child be taught that homosexuality is okay is a little intrusive. I don't have a problem with gays; but, I have a problem with mandating what morals my child must believe.
I have previously talked about the Polynesians, I really like their achievements. One thing they did was tattoo. In some of it's socieities a man was not given full rights until he had undergone a very painful and long period of tattoing. They decided when they would undergo it and they knew exactly what they were in for. If I were not against tattoing for religious reasons, I would have gotten a Polynesian tattoo and have done it the old fashioned way as a means of having an acceptance by the Polynesian community. And that is the logical problem for me, I like the idea of choice, personal decision making to be part of a community. Eight day old boys don't get to make the decision for themselves.
I might retract what I said partly. If I were jewish I might not circumcise my son. I might choose choice over a commandment. That is a tough one, it would mean being ostracised by my people, my society and refusing a command of God; but, he did give us that choice and stated the concequences. In fact, if I were Jewish there are a lot of rules I probably wouldn't follow, I would make a bad Jew. The Jewish people when they went into the desert for 40 years asked for rules and they were given plenty of them, they also failed all of them. God did not get mad at them for failing to follow all the rules, he got mad at them for not taking the lessons to heart, for not caring about each other as they cared for themselves.
Yes, I think if I were Jewish I would let my son decide for himself. My son's choice is more important than being part of any community for me; but, I still would not let government outlaw it. Well, I guess my thinking on this matter has changed again, didn't know what I was going to say when I began this post. I really just wrote it so my relative could push me further in my thoughts on the matter. He has a tendency to interrupt me on this subject and I don't feel I get a chance to work through the issues sometimes while we are talking, I need time to think out things too, I haven't studied it as much as he has.
I was interrupted and have lost my thought. I am sure I will get a chance to discuss this some more. Be well.
Circumcision has been around a long time and done for a variety of reasons. As a Christian I don't see a need for it. The New Testament directly addressed the issue and it was determined that Christians did not need to be circumcised. "Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you." It is important to remember that Paul as a Jew was circumcised and he was saying it was not necessary. It also says to circumcise our hearts. What does it mean to circumcise one's heart?
I am circumcised so I don't know what it is like to be uncircumcised. I can tell you that it is not an issue in my life. Having said that, if I had a son I would not circumcise him. That is my choice. The Jewish people instituted circumcision as a contract between God and Abraham. It says that if one in uncircumcised they will be separated from the other Jews. What was the meaning behind it?
Lets go back to what it said about circumcising one's heart. The foreskin covers one's most private and sensitive part. To remove it is to expose the sensitive area. In regards to our hearts I believe the reference means to open one's heart to God. For the Jews this was done symbolically through physical circumcision and that is where it ended. The Jewish nation by the New Testament times hid their hearts and relied on the physical circumcision. That is what Jesus was condemning.
If one thinks about it the nation of Israel was always focused on the rules rather than the intent and that is why they kept going into exile. Now personally I would think that God should have said that people make the decision for themselves when they are at an age and ability of consent; but, God said it should be done eight days after a child is born. I don't agree; but, that is what it says.
So ethically I take the position that boys should be allowed to choose for themselves. I believe Jesus was our saviour and that we are freed from the Old Testament rules; but, that doesn't mean that the Jews are free from their covenant. I wrestle with this because of my relative for whom this is an issue. I think he has valid points to a degree.
There are many points he has discussed with me, he dismisses any health benefits and believes it lessens the sexual experience. Truth is, I am not convinced that either of those is correct, I don't think we know definitively one way or the other; but, in the end I believe he would be against it even if there were minor health benefits and it did not effect pleasure. I think he would still be against it because of the choice issue, he is free to correct me on this; but, I think he would still be against it.
I have poor eyesight, not terrible just poor, it kept me from being a fighter pilot and I really wanted to be one when I was younger. I don't get laser eye surgery because I am long past being able to be a fighter pilot and wouldn't want to be one anymore, pacifist you know. I don't really think about my eyesight, heck it is now permanently damaged because of a stress injury (central serous retonopathy). My eyes cannot be fixed and I have a permanent grey dot in my eyesight. It doesn't bother me; but, I do understand why others would get the surgery for poor eyesight. It is sort of the same with circumcision, it doesn't bother me; but, I can understand how it could and does bother others.
San Francisco wants to outlaw circumcision, they want to put it on the ballot. This is where I have a problem. In Europe certain countries have outlawed spanking your child, I feel that is wrong. I don't believe government has the right to involve itself in parenting as much as it does. We have to strike a balance between religious freedom, personal freedom and freedom of choice. This balance is different in each person's mind; but, it is central to the relationship between citizens and their government.
If I were Jewish and not Christian I would probably circumcise my child. My relative may be mad at me for thinking that way; but, I have to be truthful. Is it inconsistent with the fact that I don't believe in circumcision as a Christian, not really, I was saying what I would do if I were Jewish and I am not Jewish. This has been an ongoing conversation and my views are not finalized; but, instead continue to evolve as I look at different aspects. The views on government involvement in our lives continue to be against control. Government should only control what is absolutely necessary.
I have previously said that I am against Europe outlawing the burca, still am. I am against the government telling me what I can teach my children. A law was passed mandating the teaching of gay history, I have a problem with that. Mandating that my child be taught that homosexuality is okay is a little intrusive. I don't have a problem with gays; but, I have a problem with mandating what morals my child must believe.
I have previously talked about the Polynesians, I really like their achievements. One thing they did was tattoo. In some of it's socieities a man was not given full rights until he had undergone a very painful and long period of tattoing. They decided when they would undergo it and they knew exactly what they were in for. If I were not against tattoing for religious reasons, I would have gotten a Polynesian tattoo and have done it the old fashioned way as a means of having an acceptance by the Polynesian community. And that is the logical problem for me, I like the idea of choice, personal decision making to be part of a community. Eight day old boys don't get to make the decision for themselves.
I might retract what I said partly. If I were jewish I might not circumcise my son. I might choose choice over a commandment. That is a tough one, it would mean being ostracised by my people, my society and refusing a command of God; but, he did give us that choice and stated the concequences. In fact, if I were Jewish there are a lot of rules I probably wouldn't follow, I would make a bad Jew. The Jewish people when they went into the desert for 40 years asked for rules and they were given plenty of them, they also failed all of them. God did not get mad at them for failing to follow all the rules, he got mad at them for not taking the lessons to heart, for not caring about each other as they cared for themselves.
Yes, I think if I were Jewish I would let my son decide for himself. My son's choice is more important than being part of any community for me; but, I still would not let government outlaw it. Well, I guess my thinking on this matter has changed again, didn't know what I was going to say when I began this post. I really just wrote it so my relative could push me further in my thoughts on the matter. He has a tendency to interrupt me on this subject and I don't feel I get a chance to work through the issues sometimes while we are talking, I need time to think out things too, I haven't studied it as much as he has.
I was interrupted and have lost my thought. I am sure I will get a chance to discuss this some more. Be well.
Friday, April 29, 2011
I Was Bad
I sent an e-mail to someone who other people read, many more than read this poor excuse for a blog, many, many more. The person intends to publish what I wrote, that is not good. I do say things and who and what and where. This should be interesting.
By the way, I was kidding, it wasn't bad, I was being sarcastic.
By the way, I was kidding, it wasn't bad, I was being sarcastic.
The Royal Wedding
I am Irish and don't have a love for aristocracy. I don't believe in Kings or Queens and I don't believe we are commoners. That is the starting point; but, I also try to be fair. Prince William got married and it was watched worldwide. I must say that his wife is a beautiful woman and her sister is pretty hot too.
I didn't watch the wedding, some short videos were on Yahoo news. A big deal was made over a little girl who found the noise to be a bit much, Princess Katherine tried to reassure her, a very human moment. As much as I don't believe we should have aristocracy, they are still human.
I still like the song by the Sex Pistols about the monarchy, a fascist regimn; but they didn't ask to be members of it either. Prince William was like any other person, you don't get to pick your parents. It must have been hard to see his parents divorce and his mother die, he is human too and that must have really hurt.
The English were not very good to my family or our country. They stole our country (Ireland) and made us second class citizens in our land; but, it was not Prince William and I cannot blame him or hate him for it. My great grandfather fought the English and killed a soldier and that is why he had to leave and come to America.
I don't know much about Prince William or his bride, I do know that a couple of kids just got married and I wish them well as I would wish any newlyweds. I don't like what President Obama or President Bush did; but, they are people to and we need to keep that in mind.
There is a guy named David Icke,he believes that the royal family are alien shape shifting mutants. I don't buy it, they look pretty human to me. I think we have to get away from vilifying people because of who they were born to. I think we need to spend more time trying to understand one another. Be well.
I didn't watch the wedding, some short videos were on Yahoo news. A big deal was made over a little girl who found the noise to be a bit much, Princess Katherine tried to reassure her, a very human moment. As much as I don't believe we should have aristocracy, they are still human.
I still like the song by the Sex Pistols about the monarchy, a fascist regimn; but they didn't ask to be members of it either. Prince William was like any other person, you don't get to pick your parents. It must have been hard to see his parents divorce and his mother die, he is human too and that must have really hurt.
The English were not very good to my family or our country. They stole our country (Ireland) and made us second class citizens in our land; but, it was not Prince William and I cannot blame him or hate him for it. My great grandfather fought the English and killed a soldier and that is why he had to leave and come to America.
I don't know much about Prince William or his bride, I do know that a couple of kids just got married and I wish them well as I would wish any newlyweds. I don't like what President Obama or President Bush did; but, they are people to and we need to keep that in mind.
There is a guy named David Icke,he believes that the royal family are alien shape shifting mutants. I don't buy it, they look pretty human to me. I think we have to get away from vilifying people because of who they were born to. I think we need to spend more time trying to understand one another. Be well.
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