Unnatural Overreaction

In the rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Pontius Pilate had a dream. He dreamed of an amazing man, a sad man, with a “haunting, hunted” look. Despite his best efforts, Pilate can not get the man to tell him what is bothering him. As the dream shifts Pilate sees the man being killed by a mob. As the dream’s fog finally clears he sees millions crying for the man and blaming him, Pilate for his death. Of course the Holy Bible says it was Pilate’s wife who had the dream. What sort of significance can the husbands of the world attach to that?

Old Pilate was a governor of sorts, charged with responsibility for keeping order and collecting taxes. Little is actually known about him and many scholars believe he was nothing more than a biblical allegory. In any case, rather than risk an uprising Pilate agrees to the violent demands of a very small but well organized mob and hands Our Lord over to be murdered. Angry mobs kill innocent people, destroy property and generally spread fear so it could be said Pilate erred on the side of caution. Ironically, it seems Pilate subscribed to an old Hebrew proverb that says, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” (No, it did not come from Star Trek.)

So what’s it got to do with safety?

Often, people and governments react to small, seemingly insignificant things and miss the big picture. Referred to as a “Knee-jerk reaction,” they result in sweeping legislation and regulations costing billions, serving no one, and occasionally causing great harm. As a Catholic, one of my favorites has to be the Roe v Wade decision. No matter which side you come down on philosophically, the law ignores the rights of the weak (the unborn) in favor of the strong.

Another group that burns my bacon is what I call the “have your cake and eat it too crowd.” Screaming for the rights of homosexuals on the one hand, while at the same time demanding a return to all “natural” foods and lifestyles.  Huge irony there!  Hey, if we are going all natural, I want them to bring back asbestos. It is still the best insulator there is, and all you have to do is just dig it up. Slip on an impervious suit and an appropriate respirator; once it is sealed properly, it is perfectly safe and lasts forever!

A discussion of asbestos brings me to group three, what I call the “Greed Breeders.” You would call them plaintiff lawyers; for them, asbestos is big business. There is even a boat in our marina named “Asbest There Is.” These creeps hide their massive greed behind the facade of “protecting” the rights of the injured. In 95% of all such cases, their clients caused their own injuries or illnesses by ignoring safety rules. Ever wonder why gasoline costs so much, insurance costs are so high, or medical fees are out of sight? Well, that is why.

If legislators and courts really want to know where the dangers are their best bet is to consult a safety professional. I know a whole bunch of good ones.

Sitting in a rocker at the Old Place, I am,

Col. Jim

Not Just Transparent, but Apparent

My new motto is, "Not Just Transparent, But Apparent." Don't just make it available, put it out there for all to see. Twitter, Facebook and so many websites are loaded with foolish narcissistic drivel, "I'm on the beach," "Just finished my shopping," "Soaking in a hot tub," "Our employees walk to work or use public transportation." Believe me, no body cares. It puts grime in your time, clogs the blogs and fogs the ether. My New Years Resolution is to be clear, come clean, light the shadows, use color, use video, but to do so with a goal in mind. Specify the value, take joy in who/what matters, make a difference.

Sitting in a rocker at the Old Place I am,

Col. Jim

Catholics Forced to Fund Abortion

Is there no one out there who fails to grasp the monumental significance of what our President and the other Democrats have achieved? It seems the very ones most concerned about the, "Separation of Church and State" have no problem with the government forcing Catholics to fund abortions. Ignorance is no excuse here folks, you all know the Catholic faith considers abortion as murder. Now before you start shouting the usual platitudes, this is not about abortion.

As I read it, our new medical bill (the pun is intended) allows Federal Funding of Abortions. Forcing Catholics to fund this bill is exactly what the founders were worried about when they wrote the First Amendment to the Constitution, having government impose its religious beliefs on the citizens. That is exactly what this law does. With this bill, the United States of America has effectively made it illegal to be a Catholic! This law is blatant religious persecution in its most base and graphic form.

In order to comply with this law, Catholics will be forced to abandon a grassroots belief of their religion. I have heard some Catholics say, "Well I suppose we'll just have to pay the fine every year." Sorry, the government has you there as well. Here's the kicker, even if Catholics refuse to pay to fund this bill and are fine or if the government just uses your tax dollars, it is still Catholics being forced to fund Abortion.

Must Catholics resort to a class action suit and a distasteful liaison with claims lawyers in order to protect our religious freedom? Then if the Supremes allow the law to stand must all Catholics then renounce their citizenship and leave the United States in order to escape religious persecution? Do not fool yourselves, there are many “Xerox Christians" and other faiths who would welcome it!

And finally, where is the ACLU, the self proclaimed,” Defenders of the Constitution?” Hiding, ashamed to show their faces through the naked lie of their existence.

Sitting in a rocker at the Old Place,

I am,

Col. Jim

The American Soldier: A Modern Day Knight?

"A knight is sworn to valor,
His mouth speaks only truth,
His heart knows only virtue,
His sword defends the helpless,
His might upholds the weak,
His wrath undoes the wicked!" - Code of King Arthur and the Round Table

Is the American Soldier the modern-day embodiment of this ancient ideal? Never having served, I am perhaps not the most qualified person to answer that question. The servicemen I know and have known personally all served with honor. Their valor and their virtue are clear from their character both in peacetime and under fire. These men have no need of falsehood. I have witnessed acts of tenderness and steadfastness in support of their friends and loved ones. While I have never actually experienced their anger in opposition to evil, I would have no second thoughts about putting my life in their hands. Their lives have been an example to many, me included, and I, for one, am grateful. Are these men Knights? You bet your boots they are!

So here's to you, you Band of Brothers, you Knights of Freedom's Table: Geri and Hank Weber, George Domas, Lyman Roberts,  Wilbur Rogers, Paul Gray, Norman Parker, Ryan Simpson, Lee Harris, Bill Dufrene, Matt Kennedy, Charles and Marty Munley, R. Gordon Kean, Buzz, and Albert Hampton Obier.

May the ground rise to meet you, may the wind always be at your back, may the ocean's current carry you forward, and may the air be smooth and calm.

Thank you for your service to our country, my very good friends.

Standing beside a rocker at the old place, I am,

Col. Jim

Training: The New "Common Sense"

The concept of “Common Sense” has always been an excuse for failure to train. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “Common Sense” as, "Sound, native judgment not based on specialized knowledge.” Left with this definition the connotative meaning of “Native judgment,” becomes ‘Genetic Predisposition,’ in other words, something that it is natural for us to be or know. Something we are born knowing. Many assume there is a level of knowledge anyone must surely have who reaches a certain age or educational level. Otherwise how could they possibly have gotten that far?

We don’t know that we don’t know

There is no credible evidence to suggest that humans are born knowing anything. Yes, even in a feral environment humans eventually walk upright but everything else has to be learned, most of it by example and imitation. Different cultures and races provide very different examples to imitate. I once had a woman become incensed with me for holding a door open for her. She went on to actually shout at me for saying “mam!” Sad really. . .

Maybe it is we who need to learn

Is it not presumptuous for us to deplore the ignorance of others, without first considering the depth of our own ignorance? Ever drink Snapple TM? The tiny company became a nationwide drink by sponsoring Rush Limbaugh. Did you ever notice the small "K" inside a circle on the label? CNNs hate of Rush Limbaugh resulted in their rushing to lambast Snapple TM for using this symbol. For a week, they brought in, "experts" to swear the symbol represented the Ku Klux Klan and the picture on the label depicted, "Slave ships." Of course the circle and K symbol means, "Kosher" while the picture on the label, is only the most famous painting of American History, the, "Boston Tea Party."

Good old-fashioned training, with a twist

Mark Twain once observed that, "Training is everything, the peach was once a bitter almond, a cabbage is nothing but a cauliflower with a college education." I have a friend, call him Bob, a brilliant PhD. college history professor with four books to his credit. He called me the other day, “Jim, would you please come over and show me how to change the washers in my garden hose?”

“Sure buddy,” I said. “Be right over.” The hose was a cinch, of course, but before I could leave. . .

“Excuse me,” he said sheepishly, pointing to a garden sprayer, “I apologize for asking you this, but Tish brought home this container of whatever it is to remove mildew from the outside of the house.” That explained the smell and Bob’s red eyes.

“Say no more, Bob,” I said sympathetically. “First, let’s wash your eyes for a few minutes. Then I’ll go home and grab some goggles and a poncho.”

My friend Bob has more degrees than a thermometer, but he was never exposed to the practical aspects of home ownership. It is not a lack of ‘Common Sense,' it is just that no one ever taught him. When we take the time to observe, mentor, and correct, in short, to train, we not only impart knowledge, we protect life, and ‘Common Sense’ is not a factor.

In a rocker at the Old Place, I am,

Col. Jim

Welcome

This is my first effort as a "blogger."   Time and the muse will determine the length of this blog and your interest its durability.   I have been published many times in print despite my average grammar and spelling and for a time even earned my living as a journalist.   To those of you who choose to pop in once in a while I make this promise, I will not insult your intelligence.   I tell stories around the Old Place some fun, some sad.  Occasionally a friend or two will come by and pour themselves into a chair while I pour them a drink and try to coax out a favorite tome. Please stop by if you have the time.   I am an equal opportunity befriender. 

Be Safe,

Col. Jim