Sheep And Sheep Herders

I've thought for some time we've become a nation of sheep blissfully following the siren call of our herders.

 Democrats follow Democrats because they are Democrats.  Republicans do exactly the same. For no other reason.  We've lost our willingness to consider another point of view and are content with sound bite dictums.  It's sad.

I'm seeing that it goes far beyond politics.  Consider the recent Tony Robbins event in San Jose attended by thousands.  Robbins is a motivational speaker - of sorts.  This particular gathering was to learn how to "Unleash the Power Within" so he had a firewalking party.

Firewalking?  On coals in 10 x 2.5 foot paths heated between 1200 to 2000 degrees F.  Why would anyone in his right mind do it?  To prove mind over matter?

Remember when you were a youngster and argued with your parents with a lame, "...but everyone's doing it!"  And they'd answer, "If everyone was jumping off a cliff would you do it?"  Today perhaps you would!

Politicians have learned how to manipulate people with their power.  So have motivational speakers yet they do no more than we could do for ourselves if we'd open ourselves to thinking!  


Maybe even worse than those who herd us along are those who stand by and watch.  There were emergency personnel standing by at the event and they had an open fire permit, whatever that is.  There was even a fire inspector in attendance to make sure a fire didn't get away from them.

The only thing that took leave was their sense.  Apparently they did everything required by law except use that sense.  Including the fire department who disclaimed recommending it by saying, "We discourage people from walking over hot coals," and stood by and watched while participants inflicted themselves with second and third degree burns.

In politics we know who the sheep are and the herders.  Who represents the onlookers?  The independents?  The media?  The answer, I suppose, depends on how you vote and why.

I'm Not The Only Relic In The House!

This is one of my favorite places in our home.  It's the reading table beside my chair in the den.  It's usually overflowing with newspapers and magazines until Hub reminds me it might be time to catch up on my reading while it's still current. It's where I start my day with my morning coffee.

It seems it is going to become less and less cluttered in the not too distant future.  We just received notice that one of our long time subscriptions was going digital, the issue to which this notice was attached will be the last one in print.  Wow!  Reality is beginning to sink in.

It occurred to me how things creep up on us.  Sure, everyone knows about Kindles and Nooks and iPads, etc.  Will they replace books and newspapers and magazines?  You bet.  This notice is proof positive and I don't like it one bit!

The particular magazine was one of my favorite 'tuck in the side pocket of my purse' periodicals.  I always had it with me when I knew I'd have a wait some place.  You can do that with electronic devices too but it's not the same.  You can't leave it behind to share if you're finished with it for one thing. Or toss it out or be at a huge loss if you misplace it.

So magazines are now joining the ranks of relics.  Collectibles.  I have a couple that already are.  Issues of Cosmopolitan from years back when they produced centerfolds of men - John Davidson and Burt Reynolds in particular.  I saved them thinking they may someday have some value.  Do they?  I haven't a clue.  I'm not even sure which box of keepsakes they may be in.  Perhaps it's time to check!

Remember how we used to save newspapers reporting important events?  The end of a war or "Dewey Wins!" type of thing.  Man landing on the moon.  Are they worth the space they take up anymore?  Is it all digitized and available with a Google search?  Probably.  But it's not the same.

I will resist getting a Kindle.  I will not pay to download a PDF of this magazine.  I will not watch a TV program or a full length movie on a smart phone or my computer.  Speaking of relics, how long until my computer becomes one?

Some will argue its progress and inevitable.  I suppose, but I'm an advocate of it ain't broke don't fix it and as far as I'm concerned newspapers and magazines and books ain't broke.

The problem they have is quality.  Advertisers don't advertise because they don't get enough bang for their buck because people no longer subscribe because the content is so poor they don't get enough bang for their buck either.  It's a circle to be sure but one that can be broken by good management.

This aging process is interesting.  How often Hub and I look at one another and exclaim that we're dinosaurs. We no longer see things in the same light as the younger generations.  Even worse I suppose is that we don't want to.  We just want to have our coffee with our papers and magazines and books without thinking about saving them for future generations as relics of life long past. At least we're in good company. Relics all.  I just never thought I'd see the day when printed reading material is no more than nostalgia.

It Took A Tragedy

The news cycles will be filled with little other than the horrific tragedy that unfolded in a movie theater in Colorado where a mad man recked havoc and death.

There are already calls for more gun control which in the long run will fail.  It doesn't matter.  Those so determined will always be able to get them.

There will questions about terrorism.  Madness unleashed is terrorism but not the kind of which politicians will hope to make hay.

There will be attempts to explain a man's actions with psychological gobbledygook.  Even if the reasons why he snapped are defined, it will not prevent such an event from happening again.  Such is the nature of life.  There are those who cannot cope for whatever reason and snap for whatever reason and until those reasons are figured out, which they won't be, it will happen again.

There is a positive out of all of this.  Both Romney and Obama have pulled their negative ads, at least in Colorado, at least for the time being.  I'm sure it's out of respect for the dead and wounded.  It should be for a lot more.  It should be because actions have consequences, often beyond our control and there was a glimmer of recognition of that on both their parts.

Those political strategists who delight in wallowing in negativity have no idea how the propaganda they put out affects those on the fringe.  I wrote yesterday about the 'impeach Obama' signs I had seen in yard's and fields.  These are not placed by happy people.

How much does it take to make a person want to do something about his or her frustration?  Most of us vote and though we don't necessarily like the result, we live with it.  But there are those who have been pushed an issue too far.  Maybe foreclosure is the final blow.  Maybe thinking a candidate is a felon is beyond acceptable.  Maybe thinking the chief executive and his minions are taking the law into their own hands is intolerable.  Why do you think they are surrounded with secret service?

Part of the need is because there is always the lunatic fringe.  Part of the cause is often brought on by the candidates themselves and yes, even the President.  In the lust for office and power they willingly denigrate their opponents in the most abusive of terms then wonder why there is partisanship and beyond.

The Dark Knight Rises was being criticized for it's political messages before this tragedy took place.  How many may be looming over the negativity in political ads?

I wish the politicians who pulled them were looking at these possibilities but I doubt they are.  My guess it's a temporary move, a brief moment of decency in a world that has lost it.

Polls Or The People

We've just returned from a quick trip to our favorite place to lose ourselves - Montana.  It's my husband's home state and I've been in love with it from the first time I crossed the border some 40+ years ago.

It's an interesting state.  Incredibly beautiful. I find the people well educated, culturally inclined and about as down to earth as you can get. It is truly home to rugged individualists.  That's the reason I often use it as a guide to the real pulse of the people.

We went to see the largest collection of Charlie Russel water colors ever gathered at the Russell Museum in Great Falls.  It's a mid sized city, for Montana, stretched out along the Missouri and rich in Lewis and Clark history as well as, of course, Russell.  It is the home of Malmstrom Air Force Base, home to those who man the missile sites dotting the rolling prairies and highly visible in that part of the state.  It gives you a sense of security, knowing they are there, silent, vigilant.

We stopped in the home town for some business and lamented the state of the economy and what it has done to such towns.  They're there.  That's about it.  Service centers for the surrounding ranches.  Yet they survive.  In some sense you can go home again for little ever changes.

Politics, as in everything, plays a large part.  They're having a heated Senatorial race with all the 'he did this' and 'he did that' moments that happen everywhere.  Ho hum.  I've set it aside for a few days.  There's just so much of it going on I'm suffering from brain freeze.  I just don't want to hear it.

One other thing I'd like not to hear or see and I hadn't before our little jaunt.  It's the number of signs we saw posted in yards and fields that implored 'Impeach Obama'.  That isn't politics as usual.  That's serious anger.  Publicly on display.

A lot?  Enough to have noticed and commented on it.  What does that tell you?  It tells me a whole lot of people who aren't included in the fancy polls are fed up, frustrated and angry.  Whether it's a better indicator of the mood of the people or not remains to be seen.  It is, however, an indicator!

Condi Won't Be VP

photo from Free-Stock

I'm going to stick my neck out on this one.  Ever since this trial balloon was floated a spark of enthusiasm has emanated from the apathetic.  For naught I'm afraid.

Let's face it, she has the foreign policy creds Romney lacks.  She knows her way around Washington and the world.  She's a highly educated, experienced and articulate woman.  Frankly, I think she'd be wasted in the job.

I'm going to take her at her word.  Since she is not a politician I've some confidence in doing so.  She doesn't want the job.  Maybe even more, though she is politic enough not to say it, she doesn't want to share a losing ticket.

Romney has said she is not in the running for she is not 100% pro life.  That is no reason not to choose her.  The pro-lifers need to get real and understand their issue is but one and certainly not the most pressing facing this country.  Like the tea party, they have no tolerance for gray.  The world is full of grays.  Actually it can be a most effective nuance.

But if you want to argue the pro life issue, Ms. Rice is  on record as saying she is against late-term abortions and for notifying parents of minors seeking abortion.  Those are pretty strong points.

Where the absolutist pro lifers and I disagree may just be the most important.  She is quoted as saying, "I have not wanted to see the law changed because it's an area that I worry about the government being involved in."  Amen.

Don't expect the perfect vice presidential candidate.  First of all there is no such thing - the perfect candidate.  Just look at the two running for President!