Why should I be at fault? There are plenty of others that know the same thing. Why is this my own fault? They could have changed things right there, they could have made different decisions. They have been part of this just as much as me. This failure is not my fault for Pete's sake. I did try, when I could.
There was a problem that arose. That person lying on the street looked like a drug user and maybe got what he deserved At least that is what each soul that passed him reasoned with themselves. So many pretended to not see him at all. When he drew his last breath, lying there on that uncaring concrete, a few more folks side stepped him. Since his presence caused such a problem, authorities took care of the issue and removed the inconvenience. People moved about like this should have been fixed long ago.
I saw him before they had to take him away.
He had fashioned signs or posters that read, " Homeless, can you help Please!" He made sure that he stood at an intersection where plenty of cars passed. He would display his signs to each car that had to stop. Most would have an ability to drop an invisibility cloak over him and be able to sit at the intersection with total disregard of this living being.
He forgave them.
Some would slip down their window and stick out a feel good Five because they have turned down so many others. This would make up for all the others. "Man I'm glad I'm not them".
In between the guilt feelings and the hard core, this fellow happened upon me. His corner I had the pleasure to cross and sit at the light. He had his sign and presented it to my car. I made my judgment and choose ignoring this soul. I had my well founded reasons. The invisibility cloak worked here, for me. I had given my five to others and this one, this time, this moment I think, I JUDGE, you should get a job, you should fix yourself. I Think You are Only Bumming Money. I choose No.
The next time I have to come this way I noticed there is no bum at this same intersection. I get a bit of drop in my stomach. I wonder where he must have been since we just have had a major heat wave. As I drive through I remember the toothless woman at the same intersection that brought her empty fingers from her palm to her mouth to show that she was hungry. I gave her my guilty five dollar bill feeling so angelic.
I haven't seen her in a while.
I judged. So what. I gave. So what. Which is right?
I was a child of passion, meaning I know what caring and feeling is.
I was....
What I am now, is NOT what I was was a child.
At times I feel it is OK to ignore a begger.
At times I judge others.
At times I am ashamed at what I have become,
I think.
I did not grow up as I was taught.
I went along.
Sorry for that.
I wonder who will attend his funeral?
I am glad I gave that five bucks when I could and I will again.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Oh The Wonders!
My goodness the things that have been invented recently. We live such a wondrous life with plenty of labor saving devices and convenience items. What must have been life like before the advent of these miraculous, clever things to make our lives easier and better. It makes ones heart swell knowing that man has so overcome and vanquished his surroundings. We don't need any help from anywhere, we can invent, fix, create anything.
Take for example language. We can speak with each other and write things down. I don't see any animals speaking or writing, do you? Our language is so complex it takes our young 12 years to master it. We can even learn other nation's languages and they ours. We constantly invent different ways to say the same thing, like slang. Who needs to keep things simple?
The following are a few recent inventions that have made our lives better and written In Situ;
By golly those talking pictures sure have been one of the greatest things since sliced bread. I mean what an improvement over subtitles and an orchestra for to carry the theme. I do miss radio however. No orchestra, no pictures, only closing my eyes and the theater was right inside. It was always comfortable there and the characters looked just as I imagined because I did. Wow that was fun. But I suppose talking pictures are better, they have to be because it's the latest greatest thing. What will they think of next? Color pictures shows? Yeah right.
Boy I do love our super highways. I can jump in the car and go from coast to coast on a whim or just jaunt over to the neighboring city for a change of scenery.Don't tell but this is even free! I can roam all over these concrete mazes all I want. What will they think of next? If you visit Mycenae in Greece, today, you will see the remains of an ancient, paved road that predates Roman roads by about 1,000 years.
Those poor creatures, whales. I really hate it when I have to buy more oil and I know where it comes from. I feel bad but I must light the lamp. The sun went down and now it's dark. What would you have me do, read in the dark? Hopefully one day they will come up with a different oil before the whales are gone but for now I must go down to the store and buy some more. Poor whales. http://www.sjvgeology.org/history/whales.html
My neighbor recently got the latest gadget installed in her house, they call it a Telephone. I never see her outside anymore but when she is the dang thing makes an awful noise and she runs inside as if bedeviled by it beckon. What is this world coming to? She talks to a disembodied voice and can you image, Believes there a person in that thing? I still prefer to walk down to my neighbor and speak with him all sit down like. These gawd awful things are ruining common folk like us.
http://inventors.about.com/od/bstartinventors/a/telephone.htm
The nation is sure in a poor way with the South succeeding and all. I hope that we can mend this problem before we fall apart. My maw has a brother who lives in the South and has joined the Confederates. She is very sore at the thought he might be killed. The news says that up here in the North we have nothing to worry 'bout because we have the mini-ball. Had a friend read me 'bout it and I learn't that now our rifles shoot right on target. I sure do worry 'bout my uncle. I hope those smart fellas don't fix our rifles none more.
http://www.historynet.com/weaponry-the-rifle-musket-and-the-mini-ball.htm
Me an Willy had to practice a new drill in school today. When the siren went off we had to jump under our desks and fold our arms over our heads. They called it Duck and Cover. Boy those Reds must think they can beat us but we will win because we will know when they are coming and we can Duck and Cover! My desk must be the strongest thing ever.
http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent1/?file=cw_cd_story
Neigh I say this world has gone to the hounds. Our beloved King has endorsed a lunatic in the manifestation of a man called Columbus. Dare I say he embolden himself to be entrusted with three ships of the crown. I fear those souls that follow him will be lost as he dares sail these fine ships beyond the maps edge. Surely he will fail as no other ventured to these places. If only the Crown would come to reason, Columbus must be the devil himself and have taken the mind of King Ferdinand and the beautiful Queen Isabella. God save us and the King!
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/explorers/christopher_columbus.htm
It crashed! Lol! This stupid app was suppose to be a killer app and the damn thing crashed. So much for Super App. All they ever write is stupid apps and those are the free ones. I bet the pay-for apps are just as junky. I just wish they would write an app for that.
http://appft.com/
Ok enough already right? Maybe you might have not exactly gotten my point or have mixed ideas about it so I will put things together here.
Every invention that was suppose to change our lives has not exactly proven to do that and not exactly been new. Language is ancient, Highways are older that the Romans, the Talkies created television, Petroleum saved the whales but doomed the planet, the mini-ball improved the art of killing, the nuclear bomb made us safer, Christopher spread us out and the killer app is killer.
Humans today depend on technology and rely on themselves even less. If the internet is down, our children are lost, if there is no signal coverage for our cellphones we panic, for God's sake even a tugboat Captain can't operate his boat without GPS. What did those that came before us do without technology? I'll tell you. They managed, they were creative and flexible. Where do you think inventions came from anyhow, unimaginative people?
We are so less creative today because of technology. When something doesn't work we just wait for the app or buy something new. The New is our fix and marketers prey on this. This new phone will drive your car for you while your car parks itself. The bills are paid automatically with EFT and we can order up delivery Pizza on our I-pad.
What does technology need us for? After all, we deem it antiquated after a couple years. While its driving our cars and running our banking and planning our schedules what are we doing? Terminator comes to mind here, thanks Arnold, but hey, when technology surpasses humans the next newest thing is their problem, right?
Take for example language. We can speak with each other and write things down. I don't see any animals speaking or writing, do you? Our language is so complex it takes our young 12 years to master it. We can even learn other nation's languages and they ours. We constantly invent different ways to say the same thing, like slang. Who needs to keep things simple?
The following are a few recent inventions that have made our lives better and written In Situ;
By golly those talking pictures sure have been one of the greatest things since sliced bread. I mean what an improvement over subtitles and an orchestra for to carry the theme. I do miss radio however. No orchestra, no pictures, only closing my eyes and the theater was right inside. It was always comfortable there and the characters looked just as I imagined because I did. Wow that was fun. But I suppose talking pictures are better, they have to be because it's the latest greatest thing. What will they think of next? Color pictures shows? Yeah right.
Boy I do love our super highways. I can jump in the car and go from coast to coast on a whim or just jaunt over to the neighboring city for a change of scenery.Don't tell but this is even free! I can roam all over these concrete mazes all I want. What will they think of next? If you visit Mycenae in Greece, today, you will see the remains of an ancient, paved road that predates Roman roads by about 1,000 years.
Those poor creatures, whales. I really hate it when I have to buy more oil and I know where it comes from. I feel bad but I must light the lamp. The sun went down and now it's dark. What would you have me do, read in the dark? Hopefully one day they will come up with a different oil before the whales are gone but for now I must go down to the store and buy some more. Poor whales. http://www.sjvgeology.org/history/whales.html
My neighbor recently got the latest gadget installed in her house, they call it a Telephone. I never see her outside anymore but when she is the dang thing makes an awful noise and she runs inside as if bedeviled by it beckon. What is this world coming to? She talks to a disembodied voice and can you image, Believes there a person in that thing? I still prefer to walk down to my neighbor and speak with him all sit down like. These gawd awful things are ruining common folk like us.
http://inventors.about.com/od/bstartinventors/a/telephone.htm
The nation is sure in a poor way with the South succeeding and all. I hope that we can mend this problem before we fall apart. My maw has a brother who lives in the South and has joined the Confederates. She is very sore at the thought he might be killed. The news says that up here in the North we have nothing to worry 'bout because we have the mini-ball. Had a friend read me 'bout it and I learn't that now our rifles shoot right on target. I sure do worry 'bout my uncle. I hope those smart fellas don't fix our rifles none more.
http://www.historynet.com/weaponry-the-rifle-musket-and-the-mini-ball.htm
Me an Willy had to practice a new drill in school today. When the siren went off we had to jump under our desks and fold our arms over our heads. They called it Duck and Cover. Boy those Reds must think they can beat us but we will win because we will know when they are coming and we can Duck and Cover! My desk must be the strongest thing ever.
http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent1/?file=cw_cd_story
Neigh I say this world has gone to the hounds. Our beloved King has endorsed a lunatic in the manifestation of a man called Columbus. Dare I say he embolden himself to be entrusted with three ships of the crown. I fear those souls that follow him will be lost as he dares sail these fine ships beyond the maps edge. Surely he will fail as no other ventured to these places. If only the Crown would come to reason, Columbus must be the devil himself and have taken the mind of King Ferdinand and the beautiful Queen Isabella. God save us and the King!
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/explorers/christopher_columbus.htm
It crashed! Lol! This stupid app was suppose to be a killer app and the damn thing crashed. So much for Super App. All they ever write is stupid apps and those are the free ones. I bet the pay-for apps are just as junky. I just wish they would write an app for that.
http://appft.com/
Ok enough already right? Maybe you might have not exactly gotten my point or have mixed ideas about it so I will put things together here.
Every invention that was suppose to change our lives has not exactly proven to do that and not exactly been new. Language is ancient, Highways are older that the Romans, the Talkies created television, Petroleum saved the whales but doomed the planet, the mini-ball improved the art of killing, the nuclear bomb made us safer, Christopher spread us out and the killer app is killer.
Humans today depend on technology and rely on themselves even less. If the internet is down, our children are lost, if there is no signal coverage for our cellphones we panic, for God's sake even a tugboat Captain can't operate his boat without GPS. What did those that came before us do without technology? I'll tell you. They managed, they were creative and flexible. Where do you think inventions came from anyhow, unimaginative people?
We are so less creative today because of technology. When something doesn't work we just wait for the app or buy something new. The New is our fix and marketers prey on this. This new phone will drive your car for you while your car parks itself. The bills are paid automatically with EFT and we can order up delivery Pizza on our I-pad.
What does technology need us for? After all, we deem it antiquated after a couple years. While its driving our cars and running our banking and planning our schedules what are we doing? Terminator comes to mind here, thanks Arnold, but hey, when technology surpasses humans the next newest thing is their problem, right?
Saturday, April 28, 2012
When People Cared
When I was a boy, things were different. Sure as they should be, but this much? Things mattered to folks like family, neighbors, and just plain honesty. People looked out for one and another like their life depended upon it. A guy was willing to put in a hard days work for honest pay. A merchant charged just what he needed to provide for his family. Car salesman were always crooks and politicians always lied. A schoolboy respected his teacher and a cop didn't fear for his life on a routine traffic stop.
When I was a boy I didn't expect society to evolve this way nor did I care because life was so simple. We went to the movies when we were allowed and ate popcorn from our allowance and never watched R rated movies. Those were for BAD people. We went to church and believed the minister when he said we would all burn in hell for doing wrong. This was always in the backs of our minds when we choose to do something.
We did bad things. But the level of bad has changed. We might have snitched an apple from a neighbors tree but we would never dream of jacking a neighbors car for trinkets. We would never key a neighbors car because we respected property, especially that of others. We dreamed of owning property one day and wished that others respected it just the way we did when it became ours. We realized that without property and ownership, there was no society. Those thinking's were a part of us, our growing up. People owned things, People had things. You don't take or bother their things. You wouldn't want your things touched would you?
Nowadays, people feel the right to take from others. And others feel the need to protect their things because of this. Now you get distrust, No Trespassing signs, Keep Out signs and guns for protection. When I was a kid, the only time you saw a Keep Out sign was from a place that had been robbed before, now they are everywhere.
The root is the cause. The root is where it all began. The root is disrespect and and lack of responsibility. When a merchant, now a corporate giant, charges all that can be gotten away with, a patron has no ties to respect that merchant and may steal from them. Believing that the merchant can easily afford the shortage. When a cop pulls you over and approaches your car with his hand on his gun, you loose respect because he has already judged you. When a group of teens walk down the street and all you hear is profanity you judge them. When a stranger approaches your car at a red light and begs for money for food, you may judge them, deem them alcoholics and whatever you give them will go to the ABC store.
What if?
What if they were really hungry? What if you rolled up your window and ignored them like the last 50 cars. What if they went to sleep that night in the rain, hungry and even more convinced that alcohol is better than the kindness of strangers. What if actually that single dollar you handed out your half rolled up window actually went to a McDouble for their daughter that night. Does it matter that the possibility exists that the dollar may have gone to a can of Colt 45? Does it matter?
What matters is that by dropping that dollar you could change their prospective. You could feed a child that you don't see. You could be indirectly buying that Colt 45 but who are you to judge? If it were you on the other side of the window, and you hadn't had a bath in weeks because you lost your house and job. How would you ask for help? Would you tell them that you have a son and a daughter that are hungry and this if for them? They wouldn't believe it, would they?
Simplicity.
I had an older looking woman approach my car at an intersection once. She didn't utter a word as she got closer, only pinching her fingers in her palm and bringing the empty fingers to her mouth as if eating. This was universal for "I am hungry". I handed her a five which I didn't go hungry with it's disappearance. She may have fed her toothless self or she may have bought a bottle. I don't care. I come from a generation that still has a heart and still cares for our fellow human being.
When society no longer functions it breaks down. In that breakdown we loose ourselves. We become Dog Eat dog at every aspect of life even at a lemonade stand when the little girl packs a glock to protect her earnings.
Extreme?
To me, this current society is extreme from my childhood and I can't begin to imagine the form of society that my grandchildren will have.
Judge and be Judged.
I'm off my soapbox now.
When I was a boy I didn't expect society to evolve this way nor did I care because life was so simple. We went to the movies when we were allowed and ate popcorn from our allowance and never watched R rated movies. Those were for BAD people. We went to church and believed the minister when he said we would all burn in hell for doing wrong. This was always in the backs of our minds when we choose to do something.
We did bad things. But the level of bad has changed. We might have snitched an apple from a neighbors tree but we would never dream of jacking a neighbors car for trinkets. We would never key a neighbors car because we respected property, especially that of others. We dreamed of owning property one day and wished that others respected it just the way we did when it became ours. We realized that without property and ownership, there was no society. Those thinking's were a part of us, our growing up. People owned things, People had things. You don't take or bother their things. You wouldn't want your things touched would you?
Nowadays, people feel the right to take from others. And others feel the need to protect their things because of this. Now you get distrust, No Trespassing signs, Keep Out signs and guns for protection. When I was a kid, the only time you saw a Keep Out sign was from a place that had been robbed before, now they are everywhere.
The root is the cause. The root is where it all began. The root is disrespect and and lack of responsibility. When a merchant, now a corporate giant, charges all that can be gotten away with, a patron has no ties to respect that merchant and may steal from them. Believing that the merchant can easily afford the shortage. When a cop pulls you over and approaches your car with his hand on his gun, you loose respect because he has already judged you. When a group of teens walk down the street and all you hear is profanity you judge them. When a stranger approaches your car at a red light and begs for money for food, you may judge them, deem them alcoholics and whatever you give them will go to the ABC store.
What if?
What if they were really hungry? What if you rolled up your window and ignored them like the last 50 cars. What if they went to sleep that night in the rain, hungry and even more convinced that alcohol is better than the kindness of strangers. What if actually that single dollar you handed out your half rolled up window actually went to a McDouble for their daughter that night. Does it matter that the possibility exists that the dollar may have gone to a can of Colt 45? Does it matter?
What matters is that by dropping that dollar you could change their prospective. You could feed a child that you don't see. You could be indirectly buying that Colt 45 but who are you to judge? If it were you on the other side of the window, and you hadn't had a bath in weeks because you lost your house and job. How would you ask for help? Would you tell them that you have a son and a daughter that are hungry and this if for them? They wouldn't believe it, would they?
Simplicity.
I had an older looking woman approach my car at an intersection once. She didn't utter a word as she got closer, only pinching her fingers in her palm and bringing the empty fingers to her mouth as if eating. This was universal for "I am hungry". I handed her a five which I didn't go hungry with it's disappearance. She may have fed her toothless self or she may have bought a bottle. I don't care. I come from a generation that still has a heart and still cares for our fellow human being.
When society no longer functions it breaks down. In that breakdown we loose ourselves. We become Dog Eat dog at every aspect of life even at a lemonade stand when the little girl packs a glock to protect her earnings.
Extreme?
To me, this current society is extreme from my childhood and I can't begin to imagine the form of society that my grandchildren will have.
Judge and be Judged.
I'm off my soapbox now.
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