Kokopelli's dojo

Indian hieroglyphics are undoubtedly a glimpse into the history of our area. They are subject to interpretation and careful study. I had a bit of an epiphany a few years back though. While everyone seems to think that these hieroglyphic records were someone a recording done by the tribal elders, or those who maintained the oral traditions, or perhaps the local shaman, I've another theory. They were done by a bunch of Anasazi teenage boys. Yup, after a successful day of hunting/gathering the tribal elders were doubtlessly resting around the fire. While they discussed the days activities they were thinking forward to tomorrow and where they would go, what they were to eat etc. The boys were bounding with energy and saying, "Hey Dad! We're gonna go carve some pictures on those rocks!". The tribal elders no doubt dismissively waved them off and said, "Whatever kid....just don't get hurt." So what do we got? Boys (badly) carving pictures of animals and hunting and whatever else was exciting to the teen Anasazi. Perhaps someday a stone carving in a Goblin Valley cave will be studied for it's message. And what was the message? My boys think Jessica Biel has nice tits!

When I was back in high school, my math teacher was asked what his perfect job would be. His answer absoultely perplexed me at the time. It;s almost thirty years later and I am beginning to understand. He wanted to have fewer students. Just a couple, perhaps even one. He wanted to teach them math.......and English, science, history etc, In short he wanted to teach them life.

I'm not si sure that I should be teaching any of these disciplines individually. I have always thought my skill lay in integrating various things; finding connections as it were. I read 'der Glasperleinspiel' and it all came together. I want all young men to succeed. There is much effort channeled into keeping boys out of trouble. It is all very necessary. What I propose is indentifying promising young men, who lack mentoring, and are still trying to identify what they are about. My oldest son was very fortunate in this regard. He had an entire year of university before he went on his mission. His math and science took him places, I had not been. In that regard he broke free of my influence and established himself. He also took an entire year of philisophical courses which helped him define and calrify what he is. You hear so much about youngsters going off the deep end in these courses. The parents bemoan the ideas that are put into these kids heads. The harsh fact is this.......your kids didn't believe anything when they got there. They heard what their parents had to say, but they internalized nothing. The parents are the ones to blame!

Anyway.......my remaining three boys will not have the same adavntage their older brother had. The will all be leaving for their missions soon after high school. As such, I worry that they will not have established themselves and merely parrot what they have been conditioned to say. Regardless of anyone's opinion of my faith, the messengers of it need to be fervent and certain in their belief. I have mentioned the following point in previous blogs, but it bears repeating. It takes a village to raise a child, especially a young man. Hilary (one "l" folks, not two) Clinton was and will always be right about this. My kids have a young men's leader that I feel is particularly well-suited for this purpose. My oldest didn't really have much time with this guy. It is my hope that he is able to help them along.

I believe I am someone that is also very well suited for this type of thing, but not just for regular kids. Like it or not, I see a very distinctive caste system emerging. It is not one of race, or money, or politics, geography, education or any other readily definable demographic. There are simply some kids that got their shit together and the majority that don't. If I had the money, I would establish a 'dojo' for these Brahmin. Academic progress would be tracked and facilitated. The instruction offered would be to find connections and harmony in all they learn. It would be a combination of listening, reflecting, and instruction for all within. Spiritual development will also be monitored, but it would be my sincere hope that the school was comprise young men of all faiths. The same connections and harmonies can be found between religions also. Finally, martial arts would be taught. Not the loud, testosterone fueled nonsense that I see everywhere. But main thrust of all instruction is understanding the nature of conflict, how it arises and is resolved. The Tao te Ching, and Art of War will be the primary texts. The warrior caste is not the one that must rule. However, those who rule fail to understand the warrior caste. This must change.

Untitled

Tonight is going to be a stream of consciousness blurb. It all started when I went to fill my gas tank. As I started fillin, I leaned against the fender to wait. I noticed that there were some receipts that had not been taken. Both were credit cards. Both were exact amounts of five and ten dollars. Not much gas at all.

The fact is things are still tight for so many people that even the idea of merely filling your tank until the next time is not possible. Many folks are still living day to day. They cannot plan for a future, hence they sure as hell ain't saving for one or even considering it.

The it dawned on me that failure to consider, much less plan, and even less DO anything is why we are failing as a nation. On all levels it is failure to do anything in a timely manner, we merely put out fires. Douglas MacArthur said that the history of failure can be summed up in two words; "Too late". I read that about 30 years ago and I've never seen anything to prove him wrong.

Our nation has a multitude of problems currently. And some of what the conservatives, at least say but not necessarily espouse, are solutions for our problems. Of course the left is right about some things also. I understand the frustration that people are feeling. Especially those who are forced to buy five bucks of gas at a time and on redit no less. We all are looking for a scapegoat, a bogeyman. If the presidential election were today I wouldn't give Obama my vote. I gave him my vote because I believed he would at least attempt to work on the changes that needed doing. Health care was botched overall. Some improvements were made, but the extra costs involved for what we got in return was not worthwhile. Just on the outside chance that the President or Secretary of HHS reads this I must add, "Enough with the Medicare B bullshit just to sell someone some strips! Are you all out of your f***ing minds?" See.....I told you folks are frustrated.

As a nation we will have to fundamentally and ultimately answer how big can the pie be and who will get what. People scream about 'rationing' or 'death panels', but someone has got to say enough. The Tea Partiers are saying it. Much of what they are bitching about is fair game too. But you don't hear about any of them saying we ain't gonna waste any more money on chain smoking, diabetic fat-asses on motorized scooters. Somebody should have told these idiots, "NO" a long time ago. The moms with four kids by three fathers should have been told "NO". The people who spurned their public education, and refuse to improve their lot in life need to be told "NO". The inner city denizens who continue to suck on the public teat for five generations need to be told "NO".

The Republicans have been the party of "NO" but aren't saying it to the right people. Every thing good that Obama tried to do was shut down by the R's. Of course, there were a lot of D's who tried to stymie Ronnie. My advice to Obama? Quit smoking. Yup, it is as simple as that. Everything else will fall into line.

So who would I vote for today if there were a presidential election? Probably me.

Who will I be voting for Senate in the next election? Me definitely. My neighbor Mike should be Governor. I assure you that Washington and State government will not only get along, but work together closely with agreement on the issues.

Strong flavors and Carl the groundskeeper

I saw the movie 'Secretariat' today. Alas, it received the standard formulaic 'Disney' treatment. Not that the movie was bad. I wasn't aware of the whole drama that surrounded the human cast of characters until the movie. Honestly, I never cared. But how else are you going to make a feature length film. I just have to wonder how hard up for cash Malkovich was.

I remember watching Secretariat run. I never watched horse racing before, and haven't since. Yet I, along with the rest of the nation watched. It was breathtaking to watch. The original footage used in the movie for all of its graininess was still the most exciting thing to watch.

The whole time I am watching, I can't help but think how miscast Diane Lane was also. With her hausfrau frump in full mojo, I still found myself muttering certain Bill Murray-isms under my breath. Next time get an ugly 40 something to make the movie.

After the movie we went to MacCool's. The lamb shank will always be one of my favorite items on the menu. I like this restaurant because they don't shy away from strong flavors. OK......they do have calamari on the menu which is perhaps my least favorite appetizer. I like the taste of them, but people order it thinking it makes them cool, or edgy (look at me I'm eating squid). As such it has become a bland and ubiquitous presence on most menus. ENOUGH! But I digress.

There was a couple sitting a tablet near us. SHe was bitching about the seafood pancakes being to.......seafoody I suppose. What was the main ingredient? It was hardly a seafood, but a strong flavor nonetheless. Smoked trout. It is definitely not for all tastes, but I've loved it ever since I was a kid. I remember my old man somehow fell into the good graces of a guy in our neighborhood named Nick Dokos. Nick liked to fish. Nick caught a lot of fish. Nick smoked a lot of fish. To make a long story short, I polished off about a pound and a half of my old man's trout one morsel at a time. My mom was pissed, but the old man just laughed it off. Strange indded since my mother hates smoked fish and my dad would have gladly subsisted on a diet of it forever.I digress again.

Next time I go to MacCools, I'm gonna get me some of smoked trout pancakes. I guarantee I will either love them or hate them for the taste, but I'll always enjoy them for what they are. An unapologetically strong flavor. As for the woman, I hope that little minx is being punished as we speak........by Carl.

Breasts, Emimem, and flip-flopping

Guys like breasts sort of the way a woman likes a man with money. Some women like a guy no matter how boring, humorless, old, or ugly just as long as he has lots of money. Some gals don't care if the guy has any money at all so long as he loves her, makes her laugh, spends enough time with her, and remains emotionally invested with her throughout the length of the relationship.

I have had many years to ponder all the nuances of my personal preference. If I were a woman, I would like a guy that makes just an average amount of money. Enough for us to have a comfortable and unexamained life. One that makes enough money to keep us free from want. A pointy man that is shaped like a martini glass and is braless everywhere he goes. Yup!

I heard the latest Emimem hit today while driving to pick up son number three at work. It's my understanding that in addition to the lyrics, he also does all the music. Either way, the guy has definitely got skills. There is an undeniable musicality and appeal to the song I heard. While, I pity him for the string of failed relationships he has had, what he has to say is genuine and heartfelt.

I watched the video when I got home. Rihanna has an adequate voice and more than adequate, shall I say, other features. I think that that prematurely hard-looking skank Megan Fox was in it too. At least she kept her mouth shut.

Which brings me to flip-flopping. There are certain human values and virtues that need to be adhered to at all times. That is a central tenet of my beliefs as a Taoist Mormom. In matters politic, there are no absolute nor enduring truths. Situations change, sometimes with a large amount of rapidity. During times of war, the largest virtues a leader can have is felxibility and expediency. This naturally means that opinions, beliefs, and the strategies and tactics that spring from them must constantly be reexamined, challenged, and modified as the situation presents.

Stephen Colbert roasted Bush II by saying Bush believes the same thing on Wednesday as he believed on Monday no matter happened on Tuesday. To be like this is foolish. It is also a sure sign of a diminished intelligence as well as a lack of enlightenment.

I read some 'Tea Party' diatribe a few days ago. I would love to rationally discuss and try to understand precisely what their arguments are. My main argument with the 'Tea-Party' has been and remains that what drives most of their members is hatred (or at the very least resentment), and thinly veiled racism. This doesn't mean that they don't have valid arguments. Some are even correct. I have some shared concerns, I just don't hate everyone that isn't white. Of course some of their positions are complete bullshit too.

The one thing they are correct about is the growing federal deficit. Politicians have long blathered on about it. None has done anything about it.......in either party. Of course, Clinton managed to run a surplus but since he was getting blown by Monica he was a bad man. Bush I and II really stuck it to us. Obama was handed a colossal mess that he is still sorting out, but I'm not brimming with optimism about him like I used to.

I will speak plainly and propose some simple remedies. Eventually we must stop spending money we do not have. We can't merely reduce the annual deficit. We don't need more deceptive talk about the size of the deficit vs. the GDP. We simply must stop. Then the second wave must be paying back everything we owe.

Entitlements are the biggest part of the budget and the biggest part of the entitlements is Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. The fixes are simple, but horrifyingly painful. If we don't fix the system it will fail. Trust me....that's gonna hurt worse than anything else.

The Social Security contribution ceiling need to cease (which means I will continue taking it up the wazoo throughout the year instead of getting a 7% raise in October). Benefits must be cut and retirement age increased to create of surplus of money coming in over what is being paid out. These number must be reviewed every year to maintain a set percent of money projected to come in over money to be paid out. The exsact numbers will no doubt be horrible to many. They may be tragic to a few. After all, no matter where you draw the line, somebody is always just on the other side.

The tea-partiers, or at least some, say we need to get rid of Medicare and Medicaid. I'm willing to entertain it. In fact the entire War on Poverty has been a failure. The War on drugs has been an abysmal failure. We simply cannot afford any of them.

My questions are series of 'now vs. then'.

Percent of people living in poverty?
Percent of people that are addicted to some form of drug ?
The percent of people that are employed?
Crime rates?
Literacy rates?
Savings rate?
Percent of traditional families? (No folks, I don't hate gays. They should be allowed equal protection under the law. Civil unions etc. All the stuff they want they should get. I'd much prefer that a caring, stable gay couple is raising kids than the large pool of seriously dysfunctional heterosexuals. Still the traditional family is the ideal).
Then of course examing the prevalence and influence of societal virtues such as helping your neighbor and gratefully accepting help at times. Or civility? Perhaps I should stop before sounding like a retread of the "Proclamation on the Family"

Some might point to life expectancy now vs. then. I will reject this question because the answer is well known. We are living much longer now than 'back in the day'. It is due to improved sanitation, food safety (of course some 'R's' would have you think this is "governmental meddling"), vaccines (again more nut job soccer mom 'R's' that know more than the f***ing CDC), and better access to basic and preventative health care. Wait a minute! I think my previous sentence might just be the solution. So for all those who are fighting health care reform, and for the promise it holds for abolishing the aforementioned Federal programs.......ahhhh forget it. I'm just going to hold out for a theocracy.

Influential books, Hesse and baby blessings

If you ask people what the most imfluential book they have every read, probably the most common answer will be 'the Bible'. It flows off the tongue like a bird song. When you press these people about when they actually read the Bible most will eventual admit.......they haven't. Personally, I don't consider the Bible, or any other canon scripture, to be a book. It is scripture. Hence, I never anwser 'the Bible'.

Young people often quickly bring up some book that they read in high school lit, or perhaps something from the amphetamine-fueled Ayn Rand collection. I have no single book to be certain, rather a host of books. Interestingly, two of them are by Hermann Hesse. The first is Der Glasperleinspiel, the second is Demian. Yes, yes, I did read Demian for the first time in High School but it was in German so 'that's different'.

Anyway, one of the conversations in Demian revolved around Jesus being crucified and, more specifically, the thieves that hung alongside him. One of the thieves taunts Christ saying to the effect, if you are truly the Son of God then save yourself. The other thief answers, again, to the effect, this man is truly the Son of God.

We have been forever conditioned to somehow lionize the second thief. In Demian the following points were made: Both thieves had the existing pattern of belief (in crime) and were deserving of the fate they had been handed. The first thief was accepting of it. He sought no mercy, nor was he grasping at straws. He was a man of bad character, but at least he had one that was consistent! The second thief was neither a believer, let alone a disciple of Christ. he was just some punk-ass that got what was coming to him and he was grasping at straws. It is all reminiscent of a previous post topic Ronnie Lee Gardner. He was blubbering on about the 'good' he can still do if he was kept alive. The fact is Ronnie Lee Gardner would have licked the Dalai Lama's nut sack if he thought it would save him. The one thing Ronnie Lee could never do? Accept responsibility for his actions and express remorse while looking the family of his victims in the eye. I'll see you in hell Ronnie!

So, how does this rant tie into baby blessings? While it is not a 'saving ordninance' of my faith, blessing of children is an important thing nonetheless. I blessed all of my children that I was able, and it was a spiritually moving event every time. My beef is with fathers of the kids who have another family member do it, because they are not worthy to perform the ordinance themselves.

Why do they have the ordinance done? Is it because, like the theif on the cross, that at the very last minute they "believe" in the correctness of the principle? If there were but a little more time, they would become worthy to do it themselves? Nonesense! They do it because they perceive some type of benefit for themselves if they allow it. These people are worse than those who unequivocally state, "I do not believe in the (insert name) faith, therefore neither I nor my family will be part of these ordinances". At least these people believe in something and are consistent in their beliefs.

This one argument, from Demian, has greatly influenced how I view people's 'worth'. I would much rather discuss faith or other matters religious with a devout Catholic, Baptist, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, or even an atheist! These people have a belief. Ye must be either hot or cold, for if ye are but luke-warm,,,,,,,,, Does this ring a bell?

In earlier posts I mentioned the concept of absolute value. Find it and review it if you'd like. The reader's digest version is this. Devout Lutherans, if converted, make better Mormons that jack-Lutherans. Devout atheists, if converted, become devout believers in God. Agnostics? Spittle.

The five variables and Zappa calling it right

I am a Taoist among other things. I say that a lot. I am also a schizophrenic pacifist. I hate violence, yet at times it must be employed. When these times occur, violence must be swift, certain, and overwhelming. By doing such the conflict is minimized in time and scope. It is merciful. Then just as quickly as the violence is meted out, the peace must be restored.

I was a student of Sun Tzu before Lao Tzu. As such, I was not fully able to grasp the full truth from the 'Art of War' for about 20 years or so. In any conflict, or any endeavor for that matter, there are five variables that need to be examined. He who has the majority of advantages will prevail. These variables are: The Way, the weather, the terrain, the leadership, and discipline.

The way is simply the Tao. One who adheres to the Tao is said to be in the way. The goal of the leadership and those being led must be the same.

The weather is simple enough to understand as is the terrain. Good weather and favorable terrain will increase your chance of being successful in your work. Whether it be a Boy Scout fifty-mile hike or a military offensive. (Naturally if I am on the defensive I will lay in wait in difficult terrain and pray for rain).

The leadership must not be overly stern. Nor can it be overly permissive. The leaders must not be easily angered, or humiliated. The leaders must be intelligent, good-intentions mean little. Leaders must be trustworthy and courageous. Finally leaders need to be humane and merciful.

Discipline must be clear, simple, and consistent. Organization and chain of command must be adhered to. Logistics and operations must be smooth.

When things go wrong, I retrospectively apply the variables to the situation and Sun Tzu is always proven right. I still need to improve my ability to examine the variables beforehand and determine outcomes more successfully. Today my four youngest children were involved in a bus fire that destroyed the bus (along with their belongings) but all escaped harm. My daughter sucked in some smoke on the way out but she says she is OK. Getting accurate info was difficult. Getting it from people I trust was nearly impossible. It was only after hearing from the wife of my neighbor Mike that I began to be calmed. She assured Shelisa that things were fine and that they (meaning her and Mike) were tracking the situation. I've blogged before about Mike. He is one of only three men in my ward, and the only one there, that I trust completely. He walks in the Way.

Enough of that.

I was listening to some old Zappa stuff (70's and 80's vintage) a few days ago. I thought I might give his later stuff (90's) a listen. He wrote a song called Jesus thinks you are a jerk. It is woefully dated due to the names and reference to things that were topical at the time but are now long-forgotten. There were a few passages that proved timeless though. I don't think Zappa was particularly religious. I also don't think he thought it a terrible bad thing however if people were religious so long as they didn't use religion as a excuse to hate. I will paraphrase a few of these passages with no apologies made to the Zappa trust (bite me Dweezil).

There's a pretty little weasel about five foot nine
Face puffed up from cryin' 'n lyin'
'Cuz here sweet little daughter's
Sucking prong part time
(In the name of the Lord)
Get a clue little shrew
Oh yeah, oh yeah Jesus thinks you're a jerk
Would he really choose Sarah Palin to do his work? Unh-unh!

The Tea party says they're the One
Oh sure they are, if Armageddon is your idea of family fun
And they got some planned for you
(But only if your name ends with an 'ez')

Perhaps it's their idea of an affirmative action plan
To give 'white trash' a special break.
Well they took those 'patriot' bucks and ran to the bank.
And every night we hear them thank
their Buddy up above for sending down his love.

Convinced they are the chosen ones
And all of them carry guns and hold them cards to the NRA
With their fingers on the triggers while they kneel and pray
If you ain't born again they want to mess you up screamin'
"Life's too precious can't you see"
(What's that hanging from a neighbor's tree?
Why it looks like a Mexican to me!)

If you don't know the truth of what I'm telling you
Then truly I have failed somehow
And Jesus will think I'm a jerk just like you.
'Cuz you've let the hatemongers make a monkey out of you.

This Arizona nonsense starts up in a few days. I will still reserve judgement however. I honestly believe that most people are decent, reasonable, and honorable. The people of Arizona have a huge problem they are trying to deal with. Unfortunately many who are leading the charge do so because they hate Mexicans......and blacks. Especially that (whispered quietly) nigger in the White house.

I make no secret of my political leanings. I vote for the man not the party. Don't tell my friends at the democratic HQ that I vote for R's almost as much as I vote for D's. I voted for Obama. While he is still preferable to McCain, I can't help but wonder if Hilary would have done better.

Rather than having the justice department file lawsuits against Arizona, Obama should be working on a comprehensive immigration policy, securing the borders, initiating discussion on a plan to lessen demand for drugs (as well as send some 'teams' south of the border to keep their skills honed by putting holes in any blow-lord they encounter), and doing it quick. You know some of that 'bully pulpit', 'push an agenda stuff' that you can do when BOTH houses are controlled by your party!

Some would argue that it is too ambitious and he's only been the President for 18 months. Well, it seems that me that Bush got pretty damn much everything he wanted at about 20 months in! And he was a dumb ass. I thought Obama was smart.

Ronnie Lee gardner and the Family Guy

I watched an episode of the Family Guy a few weeks back. The premise was about the Peter, Joe, and Quagmire tracking down the source of a certain dirty joke. I have decided that I should be the source of a good joke. It is tasteless, but alas not dirty.

I had help on this one also, but she will remain uncredited as I suspect she would be embarrassed to have her name tacked on this joke.

So here it is folks. You heard it here first. I can prove it.

The Utah State Board of Pardons gave conditional approval to Ronnie Lee Gardner's request to help out 'troubled kids' through farming in Box Elder county. The catch being he will have to change his name to Ronnie Lee Compost.

In defense of buffets and Senor Juan en Oaxaca

There are two stereotypes surrounding buffets, especially Golden Corral. The perception is old folks crowd these places for lunch. Alas, it is true. I went there today, and aside from the people that worked there, I was the second youngest person there.......Shelisa was the youngest. Sterotypes are often founded in reality.
The second sterotype is that buffets have lousy food, but the virtues are its being cheap and plentiful. While the offerings are Golden Corral are simple (and their Caesar salad scares the living S**T out of me), the food is tasty. The variety is on par with restaurants. The thing about buffets is they can be a dog's breakfast of styles. They don't have to be a particular ethnicity or style. Even the Chinese Gourmet does this. Perhaps 1/3 of the fare is actually Chinese.
What these buffets do is find a particular item other places serve. Something that draws people to a particular restaurant i.e. the biscuits at Red Lobster, and serves them up.
So let's examine my food today. Hush puppies. Nothing like putting some "south in your mouth". I am not aware of anyone else that makes them. Cheese pizza. It was OK, but I just wanted a small slice. Potato casserole. Restaurants call them 'au gratin'. Golden Corral's were good. The last three offerings I had from 'gourmet' sources were underbaked, bland, and too salty in that order. Dinner roll. Perfectly done, fresh and warm, yummy honey butter. Clam chowder. Good, not great. The aforementioned biscuits, not quite as good as Red Lobster but pretty good still. Asparagus. Steamed spears that we just a bit overdone. Still pretty good. Chocolate covered bananas. Better than Disneyland since they were ready to eat and not frozen solid AND I didn't have to listen to "It's a small, small world".
The best thing I have ever eaten is a fresh, perectly ripe peach. The only thing that gets close is perectly ripe pineapple. The best 'dish' I have ever eaten is a pasta dish called "Stallone's favorite" at the Spice Market in Vegas. Yup.......Buffett food!



While eating, I found myself lost in thought. What would happen if yours truly decided to emigrate to Mexico. I would probably move to the Oaxaca region. It is more mountainous like home, but more importantly it is the culinary heart of the country. I thought to myself how things would play out for me there. I speak a little Spanish, and I would obviously try to learn is as quick as possible. Still, when I see other Americans, I would likely speak in animated English to them. I doubt anybody would say to me, "We speak Spanish here......LEARN IT!!". I have always found Mexicans to be hospitable. I suspect they would be very patient with me while I learned the language, their customs and mores, and adapted to their culture. I suspect that even though I am a large and pale gringo, after a few years the people would proclaim, "he is one of us now". Of course, that is assuming I either hide or stop being a vegetarian. That is one thing I don't think they would accept.

It pains me to defend Bush, but I find myself doing it progressively more as I digest his presidency. We need a comprehensive and humane policy towards immigrants from Mexico. It's just those damn Hondurans we gotta watch out for! (Just kidding about the Hondurans). There is much talk about the new law in Arizona. As distasteful and wrong as it sounds to me, we have to admit they have a HUGE problem. The federal government has failed to do anything on a national level, so they felt compelled to act. So I will learn more as I am able. I will observe to see what happens. I will pray that it will generate action on a federal level.
The drug trade, and the money and violence that are it's companions, are the biggest problem as I see it. People coming up here to work, and send their kids to school is decidely not the problem. The drug trade remains divisive and complex. It is being tied in with the immigration issue and attempts are being made to make them the same thing. They are not.

Simplicity

It's one of the things that I increasingly appreciate as I get older. As I get older, I also understand the complexities and nuance of issues. Without sounding like I am blowing my own horn, I am a pretty smart guy. In short I get it. What I 'get' is the entire Taoist imperative of understanding complexity in that which appears simple and understanding the simplicity in that which is complex.

I have read that Napoleon, in formulating grand strategy, would bring in a lowly corporal and lay out the plans he had. Were the corporal unsure of certain aspects of the plan, then things would be reorganized. Apparently French corporals were unaware of just how damn nasty the Cossacks would be during the Russian campaign......but I digress. Keeping strategic plans simple and understandable is crucial. Leave operational issues to the individual field commanders. So what am I really getting at?

Three rants today that's what.

1) Ronnie Lee Gardner. He's that fine citizen that killed a guy in '84 at a bar. Shot him in the face. In '85 while being charged with the original crime, was passed a gun and made his escapse. He shot an attorney that was getting a drink and hindering his escape. He also managed to wound a bailiff. It is now 25 years later and they are only now getting around to executing this guy. I am not an attorney. I lack the knowledge of the appeals process and all the wrangling and timetables that accompany it. Yet, I have to wonder........after all justice delayed is justice denied. If anyone is reading this, I realize that innocent people have been executed in the past. Others on death-row have been vindicated and freed. I also agree that it is better than ten guilty go unpunished than an innocent is wrongly punished. We all praise the rule of law and procedures and order. But secretly we thirst for blood. I am a vegetarian, or rather I won't anything with a face. I cannot stomach cruelty to animals. Yet I would be like Torquemada, and able to sleep like a baby were I to be in charge of Ronnie. I realize this all sounds a bit like Hitler. I despise Nazis and white supremacists. Where I dying of something terminal I would be like John Wayne in his final movie "The Shootist". I would keep it fair however. I'll use a couple of bats just to keep it fair. If I went into the compound of one of these hate groups and I were armed properly, I would stand a very good chance of killing them all and making it out alive.

2) Bank regulations that are being proposed by the Obama administration. There is all this stuff going on about Goldman Sachs benefitting from betting against sub-prime mortgages. The same sub-prime mortgages that they were pimping. Let me make it simple. If a investment practice or vehicle is too complex for me to understand then it should NOT exist. Things are only and always made complex in order to screw somebody. Don't regulate derivatives. Ban them. Make the rules simple. Make how things work simple. Reduce the sheer number and complexity of these things and do it now. Yes folks, it really is that easy! Some might say that I don't understand markets or how the international economies work. Really? And who caused this? It wasn't me.

3) Muslim (or any other) extremists. The boys that make South Park were threatened by some New York based group of Taliban wannabees. South Park is offensive to be certain. It is also funny. It has bashed my own faith in different episodes and just about every other faith too! These guys even made a movie called Captain Orgazmo about an LDS missionary. Offensive? Yes. Misinformed? Yup. Funny? Admittedly.........at times. So back to the death threats. This is something that transcends politics and gets the heart of being an American. We have free speech here. These people that enjoy it, have to take the good with the bad. You can argue, and persuade, and express disgust. You cannot threaten to kill. I didn't particularly like the last President, though I will admit he did some things right. Unfortunately he did some other things colosally wrong. When people shouted "No more Bush!" I joined in. When left wing nut-jobs talked about killing Bush I would get in their grill and explain for better or for worse he is still the C in C. I am also still under oath to defend this country from all enemies foreign and domestic.

So taking my cue from Jon Stewart, and with a 'gospel' choir to back me up. I'd like to sing out. To Ronnie Lee, Goldman Sachs, and Muslim extremists. To the tea-partiers, minutemen and everyone else that hates people because of their skin color. GO F**K YOURSELVES!!!

not enough time

I had several things I wanted to rant about today, but since I have to leave for work in about 30 minutes I lack the time. I had thought about lauding the virtues of "torch music". How it is a genre that highlights true vocal skill by utilizing control and at times absolutley soaring, all the while anunciating the words. Well, enough said. Don't believe me? Listen to 'Busy being Blue' by k.d. lang from her Shadowland album.

Ahhhhh, forget it. I know exactly what I want to talk about. I hope I don't sound like TAP.

I wish to discuss PI's. Not private investigators, but the perennially indignant. Much talk is going on about reforming health care. It needs to be done. I think everyone can agree the system is broken. This is not going to be a discussion of what is going on in Congress right now, rather a deeper issue. An issue that has been generations in the making and one that is not going away until something drastic happens.

We have a permanent class of people in this country that will be forever dependent in the State (meaning federal, state, and local governments) for support. Their parents were, they are, their children are, and they're gonna be granparents themselves by 40. These people. It transcends race so let's not go there.

Anyway, the way I see 'assistance' working is not unique. Organizations like the United Way do it. In addition to evaluating your 'needs' they also look at what you are spending money on. Cable TV has to go. Cigarettes, beer? Stop! Any luxuries at all? Get rid of them. NOW......we will help you with what you need. Every month, we will reevaluate your situation. Churches do something similar except of course they want you to come to church also.

The point being is no two people need the same type or level of help. Some need very short-term assistance. Some need longer-term help. Others are lifelong.

So who are the PI's? We all know them. They exhibit obnoxious behavior and a perpetual sense of entitlement. I could spend hours recounting examples of PI behavior. Who are they? I'll make it simple. DO you remember sharing your orange with a kid at school only to find out that another kid shared his orange with them to? Well you and the other kid each have a half orange now and the PI has one. You know what? The PI is pissed because he didn't get the better halves!

Until we devise a system that destroys the ability of the PI's to exist, no health care (or welfare, or education, or criminal justice) reform will work.

Now, it's time to go to work.

Resolved

I still suffer from the same affliction that I alluded to in my last entry.......from November. I think of things to write but by the time I get home my energy has flagged or I want to play something. The result nothing happens.

Today hope springs eternal. The weather was warm enough that I was able to go close to Lookout Pass today. The snowline was a bit low to go all the the up. I hiked for about 4 miles. DIdn't pick p all that much elevation though. Maybe a couple hundred feet is all. About 3/4 off the road was a fence. A well maintained one at that. I'm not sure what if anything is being kept out or in. The occasional antelope and deer won't be barred (and no I didn't see either of them playing today). I see sheep herder trailers out there a fair amount but never any sheep. The place has been cow-bombed in spots though.

Anyway, I walked the fence line for a while. After about another mile or so I came across about a half dozen wild horses. This is in itself is not so remarkable. We have a large population of them in the West Deserts. Seeing them this far east was new though.

Afterwards I found my self singing an old Arlo Guthrie tune. A staple of 'patriotic' people and events everywhere. The only trouble is we were only taught three of the final verses as kids. As adults we choose to ignore facts. Most folks only know this one tune by Arlo Guthrie. If they knew more than this then the last two verses wouldn't come as a surprise.

As I was walking
I saw a sign there
And that sign said
No Trespassing
But on the other side
It didn't say nothing
Now that sign was made for you and me.


In the squares of the city
In the shadow of a steeple
Near the relief (this term needs updating I suppose) office
I see my people
And some are grumbling
And some are wondering
If this land's still made for you and me

I wonder myself at times. I lack confidence in the organism that is government. I have long maintained that government service should be something akin to jury duty. Let me tell you about my neighbor Mike. We all probably know a guy just like him. Mike has never done anything that most folks would consider extraordinary or possessing the qualities of greatness. All he and his wife have done is raised their family according to their own terms. Every one of his kids turned out good. He watches out for others, while still minding his own business. He works hard and tirelessly. And Mike is a really smart guy. So why isn't he in elected office? You'd have to ask him to be sure. I suspect that Mike is like me though in this regard. He has no stomach for double-talk, back room dealing, or cozying up to scum-bags to get elected. He would rather do his job well and focus on his job the whole time. No worries about raising money, appealing to demographics, or re-election. Just hard work.

Trust me on this one. He would make a good public official. He would do his six-year stint (one year to learn, four years of performance, one year to train a successor) and then happily go back to doing his thing. I think elections used to be just such a thing. In some smaller communities it might still be. How to bring it back? I dunno.