50 year old cartoon tried to warn us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CjrZNi49bE&feature=share
A friend shared this via Facebook, thanks Tim.
Before it finished playing I've shared it as well.
Definitely worth10 minutes of your time...
Enjoy.
What are we doing here?
Just a few thoughts or considerations . . .
We, you & I, are here, alone together with keyboard & mouse.
Enjoyment, curiosity, boredom, casual browsing, or chance occurrence, whatever:
It's happened, you're 'here'. I hope you'll find your time not wasted in absorbing these ponderings...
Have you ever wondered about the places you go, or people you listen to, or things considered worthwhile or important?
No, probably not; it just happens...
-Just so you know... - This may not be a good idea. -
I tend to rant, ramble, or go off on complicated, yet poignant tangents, while trying to be clear & complete.
I tend to rant, ramble, or go off on complicated, yet poignant tangents, while trying to be clear & complete.
Call it an experiment. I'm just not sure I can say exactly what the hypothesis is; thus the results will not be absolute.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Welfare - Better a comment here...
A Facebook friend recently did a 'Copy-Paste' repost on her status regarding Florida, Kentucky & Missouri now drug-testing as a part of the Welfare application process.
Here's a copy of that post:
"Whoooo-Hoooo!!!! Thank you Florida, Kentucky, and Missouri, which are the first states that will require drug testing when applying for welfare. Some people are crying and calling this unconstitutional. How is this unconstitutional? It's OK to drug test people who work for their money but not those who don't?… Re-post this if you'd like to see this done in all 50 states!!!!"
A bit of discussion was started with a couple of varing viewpoints. I had thought about making comments of my own, there on her page, but thought I might have a bit more to say on the subject, so I put it here instead.
The Welfare State of Mind: I'm Entitled!
(Smoke Two Joints...)
Many companies require drug testing as a part of the Application & New-Hire process. Quite a few continue testing randomly throughout the term of employment.
This testing is done for one main reason:
Mitigating Liability.
If a company wants lower insurance premiums, less vunerability to lawsuits, and the ability to separate the company from the individual who acts irresponsibly under the influence while acting as an agent of the company, they choose to require drug screening.
Makes sense to me whether I like it or not. The Company has acted responsibly, preserving their assests proactively. They have performed 'due diligence' in protecting themselves and the customers they serve.
That said, let's move on to Welfare.
In general, I like the concept.
In seeing the results, I do not.
Everyone needs help from time to time. Some don't have wealthy families or friends to lend a hand: Some did, until they began asking too often.
Unfortunately, getting something for free makes one comfortable & expecting more of the same. The sense of appreciation in getting the help quickly fades into a determination to figure out how to get more of it, rather than moving on; a definate distraction helping one better themselves and 'stand on their own two feet', so to speak.
A sense of 'Entitlement' & 'Deserving' (no personal action required) quickly replaces 'Lacking & Needing' (which normally requires personal effort to overcome).
To further clarify my point, I'll share a personal reflection that was confusing & frustrating at first, then appreciated in retrospect.
I recall the day, as a young man, that I went & asked my Dad for some spending money for this or that. He looked at me and said 'Don't have it to give. Guess your gonna have to get your own'.
You know, it turns out that's exactly how the real world works...
OK, onto the issue of the State's choice. Seems that right off the bat, people seem to be upset because they feel the State has no business in their personal life; thus this cry of unconstitutionality. Really?
Have these people thought that MAYBE these States are acting proactively in identifying where the real help is needed? 'OK, you have no money & don't work & now we see that this could be because you have an addiction that's possibly a big part of the root problem. Here's how we start helping you ...'
This incurs more expense of this State, now providing substance abuse programs for those who obviously can't afford them. This expense should however, aid to healthier & more employable citizens
This type of State expense is much more prudent than just placing 'band-aids' (handouts) on gaping wounds (poverty).
But, is this constitutional? Well, I'm not a lawyer and haven't read these States constitutions so I'll reserve that for those of you who are & have. MY guess would be that the people who live in those States would rather have job-providing companies looking in their direction as the population is generally more employable there because the State has performed it's 'due diligence'.
(All of these above somehow involve my personal life)
Even today, if I'd ask my Dad for money, the answer would probably be the same. If he did have some to spare, he'd darn sure ask very pointedly 'What are you spending your money on Boy?'
No offense intended to those in need of assistance;
unless you're comfortable with it.
Here's a copy of that post:
"Whoooo-Hoooo!!!! Thank you Florida, Kentucky, and Missouri, which are the first states that will require drug testing when applying for welfare. Some people are crying and calling this unconstitutional. How is this unconstitutional? It's OK to drug test people who work for their money but not those who don't?… Re-post this if you'd like to see this done in all 50 states!!!!"
A bit of discussion was started with a couple of varing viewpoints. I had thought about making comments of my own, there on her page, but thought I might have a bit more to say on the subject, so I put it here instead.
The Welfare State of Mind: I'm Entitled!
(Smoke Two Joints...)
Many companies require drug testing as a part of the Application & New-Hire process. Quite a few continue testing randomly throughout the term of employment.
This testing is done for one main reason:
Mitigating Liability.
If a company wants lower insurance premiums, less vunerability to lawsuits, and the ability to separate the company from the individual who acts irresponsibly under the influence while acting as an agent of the company, they choose to require drug screening.
Makes sense to me whether I like it or not. The Company has acted responsibly, preserving their assests proactively. They have performed 'due diligence' in protecting themselves and the customers they serve.
That said, let's move on to Welfare.
In general, I like the concept.
In seeing the results, I do not.
Everyone needs help from time to time. Some don't have wealthy families or friends to lend a hand: Some did, until they began asking too often.
Unfortunately, getting something for free makes one comfortable & expecting more of the same. The sense of appreciation in getting the help quickly fades into a determination to figure out how to get more of it, rather than moving on; a definate distraction helping one better themselves and 'stand on their own two feet', so to speak.
A sense of 'Entitlement' & 'Deserving' (no personal action required) quickly replaces 'Lacking & Needing' (which normally requires personal effort to overcome).
To further clarify my point, I'll share a personal reflection that was confusing & frustrating at first, then appreciated in retrospect.
I recall the day, as a young man, that I went & asked my Dad for some spending money for this or that. He looked at me and said 'Don't have it to give. Guess your gonna have to get your own'.
You know, it turns out that's exactly how the real world works...
OK, onto the issue of the State's choice. Seems that right off the bat, people seem to be upset because they feel the State has no business in their personal life; thus this cry of unconstitutionality. Really?
Have these people thought that MAYBE these States are acting proactively in identifying where the real help is needed? 'OK, you have no money & don't work & now we see that this could be because you have an addiction that's possibly a big part of the root problem. Here's how we start helping you ...'
This incurs more expense of this State, now providing substance abuse programs for those who obviously can't afford them. This expense should however, aid to healthier & more employable citizens
This type of State expense is much more prudent than just placing 'band-aids' (handouts) on gaping wounds (poverty).
But, is this constitutional? Well, I'm not a lawyer and haven't read these States constitutions so I'll reserve that for those of you who are & have. MY guess would be that the people who live in those States would rather have job-providing companies looking in their direction as the population is generally more employable there because the State has performed it's 'due diligence'.
- If I file for unemployment, I've got to be looking for a job.
- If I'm asking for a job, I've gotta be ready to work.
- If I want to be ready to work, I've gotta be responsible enough to do so.
(All of these above somehow involve my personal life)
- If you ask the State for assistance, you've gotta be ready to be a 'Ward' of the State.
- If you're prepared to a 'ward' of the State, even temporarily, better be prepared for personal exposure.
- If you're prepared for personal exposure, congratulations, 'You're Employable'.
Even today, if I'd ask my Dad for money, the answer would probably be the same. If he did have some to spare, he'd darn sure ask very pointedly 'What are you spending your money on Boy?'
No offense intended to those in need of assistance;
unless you're comfortable with it.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
- JUST STAY -
I don't usually forward forwarded emails & haven't been here in awhile, but this is worth sharing:
..... Just Stay
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.
"Your son is here," she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent.. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients..
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.
"Who was that man?" he asked.
The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.
"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life.."
"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"
"I knew right away there had been a mistake,
but I also knew he needed his son, and his
son just wasn't here.
When I realized that he was too sick to tell
whether or not I was his son,
knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."
I came here tonight to
find a Mr. William Grey.
His Son was Killed in Iraq
today, and I was sent to
inform him. What was this
Gentleman's Name?
The Nurse with Tears in
Her Eyes Answered,
Mr. William Grey.............
The next time someone needs you ........ just be there. Stay.
..... Just Stay
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.
"Your son is here," she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent.. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients..
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.
"Who was that man?" he asked.
The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.
"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life.."
"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"
"I knew right away there had been a mistake,
but I also knew he needed his son, and his
son just wasn't here.
When I realized that he was too sick to tell
whether or not I was his son,
knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."
I came here tonight to
find a Mr. William Grey.
His Son was Killed in Iraq
today, and I was sent to
inform him. What was this
Gentleman's Name?
The Nurse with Tears in
Her Eyes Answered,
Mr. William Grey.............
The next time someone needs you ........ just be there. Stay.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Exploitation of Japan's Disaster - Human Condition
FaceBook Survey Scam
Human curiosity regarding disaster sucks; it somehow lets us know we just escaped with our life & we should live better (poor them; I'm OK)
People who capitalize on it are the dredge, yet they are everywhere (anyone watch the news media blitz?)
Relax: I think I recall a verse somewhere -
'Be still & know that I am God'
Too bad reminders are required: Once again, Just human nature.
mirror from someone else's eyes. Too Bad mirrors don't speak: then again, I guess it makes us look more in depth & pay attention.
Do we pay attention, see the world around us, really interact? Or do we just quietly observe while buried in the fodder of 'communication'?
"Somethings happening here. What it is's not exactly clear...."
Be Safe in cyberspace.
Look up once in a while: there are people everywhere. One of them may just need a real mirror/observation in the sunshine or the dark:
Humanity doesn't require a keyboard.
Say hello or chisel on a rock wall: Neither of those need an upgrade; just someone to see it.
Human curiosity regarding disaster sucks; it somehow lets us know we just escaped with our life & we should live better (poor them; I'm OK)
People who capitalize on it are the dredge, yet they are everywhere (anyone watch the news media blitz?)
Relax: I think I recall a verse somewhere -
'Be still & know that I am God'
Too bad reminders are required: Once again, Just human nature.
mirror from someone else's eyes. Too Bad mirrors don't speak: then again, I guess it makes us look more in depth & pay attention.
Do we pay attention, see the world around us, really interact? Or do we just quietly observe while buried in the fodder of 'communication'?
"Somethings happening here. What it is's not exactly clear...."
Be Safe in cyberspace.
Look up once in a while: there are people everywhere. One of them may just need a real mirror/observation in the sunshine or the dark:
Humanity doesn't require a keyboard.
Say hello or chisel on a rock wall: Neither of those need an upgrade; just someone to see it.
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