Burn Down The Mission

Flag-burning has become a hot topic again. As much as I personally dislike the idea of desecrating our national symbol, it would seem that outlawing it would violate the precepts of the freedoms on which America was founded. Let us remember this country rebelled against a tyranny based on the idea that citizens have the right to disagree with their government and express these grievances without fear of retaliation from the government. Further, personal property rights are a major philosophical concept in America freedom. Therefore, if the flag is my own personal property and I burn it in representation of my grievances, then the basis of American freedom is in line with action.

What Is This New World Forming?

I had an encounter this morning where someone had argued that Baby, It's Cold Outside was contained dangerous messages in it. I countered with my argument that the assertion was ridiculous and further counter-productive to the idea of feminism.

The person sharing his perspective was younger, and I would surmise that many of my younger friends would share a similar opinion to his. I don't want to point the finger at "the younger generation," but I do now appreciate things said to me that I dismissed when I was that "younger generation."

Small Coins of Grace

Forgiveness is a funny thing. Sometimes its not the big crisis that plague us but rather the little simple ones.

The Anti-social Contract

What exactly is a human right? I've heard many people argue that this is a right or that is a right. In the last decade, probably healthcare as a right has been a fairly common discussion. But is it? Is marriage a right? Is clean water and food a human right? Right to work? Guns?

Dear Millennial Rebels

Today, while you march the streets "protesting" the results of the election, my nine-year-old daughter endured nine hours in the operating room. Tonight, while you destroyed American symbols and burned effigies of the President Elect, my daughter laid in an ICU bed, intubated and left on a breathing machine. While you gather angrily in masses online to hashtag for violence and death, the numbers of the arterial line in my daughter's arm fluctuate outside the exceptionable medical standards. You are heated over the democratic process that has served our country for nearly two-and-a-half centuries. Well, let me tell you, I'm indignant as well -- at you, at your lack of empathy and at your hypocrisy!
 

Night Before Election Day Thoughts

I've been thinking. All this election stuff - it gets my head going. Voter ID; that's what I've been pondering. It is too late for this election, of course, but my thoughts are along the lines of the process and the requirements required upon us. On the plus side, I will spare the reader my thoughts about the Tenth Amendment versus the Federal Real ID enforcement.
 

And Justice For All

Well, Tulsa has been a hotbed of racial tension and national news for the last week. People all over this country have very strong opinions concerning the fatal shooting of Terrence Crutcher by police officer Betty Shelby. Not only was it a white officer on a black civilian shooting, but the video released makes it very clear there were problems on both sides of the encounter. This, of course, makes the opinion of whichever side one is one very adamant.
 

Hulk Is A SuperVillain

Growing up, I read comic books. In those stories was the Hulk, a giant green mass of unearthly strength. I also watched the TV story of the same with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. I really enjoyed the narrative, but as I've grown older, I have considered this tale a bit differently.

Limitations of Rights

In recent news, a very common phrase I have heard is "the limitation of a right." It has caused me to pause and consider our rights under the Constitution and how those may and must be limited for different circumstances. But further, I have also considered what is the proper response of our legal system when those limitations are violated and the power from one's rights is used improperly.

Everything Requires Faith

I had a short online debate the other day with an atheist, something I have learned to try to avoid. It's not that I am afraid of debate, but the forum of typing my point, the other typing his and trying to trap one another in semantics and other childish debate techniques is not only faulty in its appeal but also lacks the intimacy and respect that a discussion of philosophical difference requires.
 

I think it is actually healthy to challenge others beliefs...and probably something not done enough in our current culture. There is much of a "fall in line" and "keep up with the times" thinking, stronger even that existed when I grew up, where no one thinks about there answers and so much of ANY belief relies on popularism and blind-acceptance of what others say that almost no one has faith anymore.
 

Where To Draw The Line

Yesterday, I posted a piece about flying the Confederate Battle Flag, where I mostly supported its removal but tempered that with the decision should be made by local governments rather than a national reaction. After I posted, I saw that Mitch Landrieu, Mayor of New Orleans, and other notable figures were calling for the removal of ALL Confederate Monuments and Symbols and claimed such have no value in a public space. When reading this, I honestly felt like reversing my stance from what I posted. I didn't and haven't.
 

But if I were suddenly empowered as Tyrant, I would tell one side, "Take down the flag and get over it;" and to the other side, "There, no more. Sit down and shut up!" It's probably a good thing I'm not in politics.
 

The Meat of the Confederate Battle Flag

We have all received interesting lessons in history this week. Blogs, Facebook posts and media sources have all explained the meaning of the Confederate Battle Flag. Likewise, we have learned that Belgium and the European Union are actually Confederations. We've been told to be offended and what to hate - as well as our feelings about "hate symbols" are ignorant and historically inaccurate. Through all of this, the professional protester career continues to be a thriving one. Whoever told those college Philosophy majors there were not corporate jobs for them did not understand modern media.

I have thought a lot about where I stand on the #TakeDownTheFlag issue, fuming in South Carolina right now. First, it is not my State - so I'm not sure how valid my opinion even should be. That said, I've taken a look at it because it is so heated right now. But more importantly, I have come to wonder why the Confederate Battle Flag became both a symbol of hate and a symbol that is hated. Either way, it is difficult to deny there is a lot of hatred surrounding it.

People Behaving Badly

I have really, really been struggling this week with my attitude. This has been specifically centered around the actions of other people.

Lessons Learned By Fire

Pain is an indication that something is not correct. But unfortunately, we live in a broken, corrupt and imperfect world – so there are many things which simply are not right all the time, which in turn, causes pain.

Deeds, Results and Hot Air

I found myself thinking on the words of Shakespeare today: "Talking isn't doing. It is a kind of good deed to say well; and yet words are not deeds."

Paine-ful Thoughts

Tonight, I read sections of Common Sense by Thomas Paine. I specifically was looking for the opening paragraph addressed to General Sir William Howe, where he compares arguing with another to administering medicine on the dead.
 

Lessons of School Supplies

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself." That is the vein in which I approach an observation we made while shopping for school supplies this morning. So, please understand I'm not meaning to be judgmental, but rather applying my response to the situation to be more aware of my own behavior.

The Art of Mind-Reading, Part II

I left off last time with the idea of how well I get along with my wife has to do with how well I can read her mind. Let me reiterate this is not about her, but rather a real skill I should try to improve.
 

Of course I do not have any sort of clairvoyance or other mental prowess. But I do have powers of observation. How often do I “know” how someone is going to act or react in an upcoming situation? How can I know this if I am not a mind-reader?
 

The Art of Mind-Reading, Part I

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
  ~Socrates
 

While Socrates’ quote is humorous and perhaps even something to which we relate, but I’m not sure I agree. Or perhaps I should say, not all philosophical thinkers have bad wives. I like to believe I think “deeply” as would a philosopher – and I have a great wife.
 

Of course, I also understand that how well I get along with my wife is proportional to how well I can read her mind. That’s not a slight on her, by the way. It’s a credit (or demerit) to how well I pay attention to her needs.
 

We Oft Mock Wisdom

I have thought a lot recently about the story of Solomon and the two mothers. It’s well known. Two women had come before the king, each had given birth to a child, but one baby had died. The claim from each woman was that the living son was hers. One mother claimed, “This woman’s son died in the night, because she smothered him while she slept with him, then switched the children in the night.” The other woman retorted, “No! For the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son. She is making up this story to steal my son.”
 

Solomon examined the situation as each woman made her case, then announced he had a great way to resolve the problem: he would take out his sword, cut the baby in two halves to give to each of the women. Suddenly, one of the women shrieked, fell to her knees and begged him not to do that. She gave up her claim if only the king would spare the child’s life. Solomon then looked upon the weeping woman and told his royal guard, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.”