Sow and Reap. Just leave me out of it.

It is almost that time again. Almost time to give up, again. Yes, I have given up before, and once even gave up giving up (http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7322716431460132023#editor/target=post;postID=1727575944594939689. But I have to say that I am getting very tired indeed of the reticence of otherwise intelligent people who continually blame Obama for all the ills of the country. I have tried to present what I thought were cogent and well-explained points of view, and get nowhere. Well, I get called things. Never mind. I can and will never believe that the current administration, faced with a massive debt at the front end, the speaker of the house announcing "Our goal in the next 4 years it to make this a one term presidency" and a shuffle of the house to make obstruction a fine art, is the problem. Not one bit. Yes, I think mistakes were made. By both sides. But the egregious ones were on the other side.
So I am not going to try to express my logical opinions for a while. When the election is over we will all see who wins, who loses, who was disenfranchised and who bought what. Until then, I will quietly watch the Republicans attack the Democrats and vise-versa. I will feel bad about all the lies that will fly, and all the distortions of positions that will be presented. I will not make a point about any of it.
Woody is turning over a new leaf.
We reap what we sow. So I say "Sow away pal, sow away. And be ready to reap what you sow."
I think I will consider the merits of beer for a bit. And maybe the merits of bird watching and orchid growing. No point what so ever talking about politics. It is way too late for that.

Image: http://rlv.zcache.com/i_give_up_mug-p168101874498167536enw9p_400.jpg

Merely the Imposition of Religion. What is Wrong With That?

Note Priest on right.Notic all the people getting tortured.

Vatican Investigating Girl Scouts for Links to Safe-Sex Education Groups

Catholics should be embarrassed and the rest of us should be really pissed off. Why? Just who the hell does the Vatican think it is, investigating the Girl Scouts? None of their damn business. Personally I think the Vatican should be investigated for all kinds of infractions of human rights. Kind of like an Inquisition in Reverse.

You see, this is the kind of thing that happens when one religious group thinks they have a monopoly on “truth”. They try to impose their values on everybody else. Burn Christians that disrespect the Quran. Pass anti-abortion laws to punish women who don’t believe in their narrow view of the world. Investigate the Girl Scouts for gods sake. Jail “Pussy Riot” for 2 years for blasphemy. The list goes on. I have railed against the imposition of religious views on people who don’t want them. I will always do that. On the other hand, wouldn’t it be SWEET to have a Scientology majority in the house and senate so they could impose their ridiculous ideas about dianetics on all of us? I didn’t think you would like that. So why impose your ideas about creation or “a day of rest” or Christmas? Sure, atheists love to get the holiday vacation, but what if they want to work on the 25^th of December and their PUBLIC OFFICE is closed? Imposition of religion again. What if Jews took over the government an outlawed Sunday holidays but enforced Saturday ones? Or made it the LAW that all males got clipped? I didn’t think you would like that. And what about laws that exempt religious organizations from paying property taxes? That means you pay a subsidy for the Jewish Temple, the Islamic Mosque, the Mormon Temple and many others. Like that? No, I didn’t think so.

So think twice before you so easily impose your religious beliefs on others. You may be next.

Image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZAjzvdZFcC7m-iMkN6lbZ3gAbtWG9MbLsf2ZdgZZLDXrzxXbfRuyeNjN_eMcG6FtxB3WjD1wyKAuS2bhwmZQWYQ74I-b9f3rmDkLWYvwldojWW2I1bIPtW9R2VZ-vvxGoFXj6iMNY-1c/s1600/inquisition.jpg

Asheville Really Is “Beer City USA”!!

At the Pisgah brewery

This past weekend Sally and I went to Asheville to visit family. Of course the real reason was to visit some of the breweries in this “Beer City” mecca. (Just kidding kids.) We didn’t have much time so we passed up the Highland Brewing Company, the home of a nice IPA called Kashmir IPA (1). We had quite a few pints of that tickle our throats in past trips and we were anxious to try some others.

Ever notice how you can tell you are in an authentic brewery by the beards, hats and attitudes of the people who work there? Well, the three we visited were no exception. And I have noticed over the years how many craft breweries are located in out-of-the-way old warehouses. Hard to find but worth the effort. So we started our quest looking for the French Broad brewery in Asheville. Sure enough: old warehouse and not easy to find. Beards, hair etc. We tried several brews including the Wee Heavy-er Scotch Style Ale, Anvil Porter and the IPA, and the Ryehopper Rye Pale Ale.  They were all nice to the pallet, the Porter particularly smooth, but the IPA was just a little sweet at first taste so the Ryehopper got our "IPA" nod. No surprise huh?

Next we stumbled on the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company (2). Situated in an old building in down town Asheville on a side street makes it hard to stumble on. Usual folks in evidence. We sat in the outdoor seating area and while we drank our brews we were treated to an animated game of “Corn Hole”.  We only tried the Shiva IPA since we were well on the way to happiness when we arrived, and were not disappointed. Nice color, head and at 69.3 IBU a nice long hoppy finish.

Next day, Sunday, we set out for the Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain, N.C. Hard to find, warehouse, beards, the whole nine yards. We got there about 15 minutes before they opened, but got in and started on the IPA. Nice. Really nice. They were out of Wet Hop Ale, a fresh hopped ale that I really wanted to try, but the IPA was enough. They also had a Framboise Lambic on tap that was very tasty (not theirs, but an import). After a few pints we wended our way home to get ready for dinner and whatever. In a really surprising turn of events, the Italian place we went to for dinner, Nona Mia Ritrovo, had a brewery, the Altamont Brewing Company, in the adjacent space. Not theirs, just another craft brewery. We didn’t have time to sample their wares, but will put that on the list for next time.
All in all, Asheville well deserves the title “Beer City USA”.
 
1. http://www.highlandbrewing.com/craft-brews/style/kashmir-ipa

2. http://www.ashevillebrewing.com/

3. http://pisgahbrewing.com/beer/whats-on-tap

Yearning for Simpler Times.

Chicken and Beer. Simple.

That is it in a nutshell. The last few months have been filled with terror, angst, uncertainty, depression and yes, joy. Mind you not all of these are my personal emotions. Some angst, quite a bit of uncertainty and a good dollop of joy would more accurately characterize my recent past.
The most recent (no, this is NOT about politics) political moves from both major parties have left me a bit drained. Neither side seems to be willing to just tell the truth, unblemished. I see that unilateral “disarmament” wouldn’t work, so the political season will be more of the same.

This morning I think about the times when life was simpler. When terror was not a daily occurrence. When there was some civility among the elected officials. When the future was viewed as limitless possibility rather than limited by resources such as water and food. When climate was stable, or at least predictable. When hard work was rewarded with advancement and security.
I think that every generation that ever was probably looked back to the “good old days” and looked forward to the “golden years” one way or another. I am not so sure about now. For me and my generation the good old days were in many ways good. Maybe even another “golden age” of civilization. At least for the developed world, my world. Clean water, abundant food, cheap energy, “miracle” drugs, rising economic status for many. And somewhere it began to go wrong. Terribly wrong. Partisan politics got entrenched. Class conflict (denied by many) but none-the-less a reality. Over strained resources. Global climate shifts. International terrorism threatening everywhere.
So I yearn for the simpler times. And I really, really hope (and pray if that would help which I sincerely believe it won’t) that the generations growing up today will have their “good old days” and their “golden years”. I am not sanguine.

Image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffGUfxIR30R2W6Eqq1iWOHqtgJ585t37XPyfzKI1S8fpAsAeiP6o_ppXF1KVTsDlNqxeyyupFSC6esXdcSJDLKo7SCaMzsgbcdR34jT1r1drlz6IHq3iPd25rkukgRM03VmNBd2_BlRbY/s1600/DSCN4871.JPG

Don’t turn you back on a cute squirrel.

The other day I was sitting at my desk writing something when a movement caught my eye. I turned and looked out and saw a squirrel with something in its mouth. Looked like maybe a baby. As I watched, it jumped up on a 4 x 4 short post and sat there. The object it was carrying was a very dead mouse. No doubt at all. And then it was gone. No time for a picture.
Today I looked around the internet for “squirrel carries dead mouse” and found only one blog that mentioned it. Pam Roach (1), Washington State Senator, reported the same thing in 2009. The only mention. Not good enough. So I entered “squirrel eats mouse” and bingo. Several hits including the article (2) below that has a video of a veterinarian talking about squirrels that do eat meat on occasion, a picture of a squirrel eating a baby bird, and a video of a squirrel eating a fresh-killed mouse.

So I wasn’t nuts. Next time you see one of those cute little critters, don’t turn your back.

Image: http://www.scarysquirrel.org/special/carny2010/carny2.jpg
1. http://pamroachreport.blogspot.com/2009/09/squirrel-carries-dead-mouse-up-tree.html

2. http://www.scarysquirrel.org/special/carny2010/index.html

My “Coming Out Story”

Our sons and their spice

It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Sally and I were sitting at the dining room table with our oldest son. He was getting ready to go back to his place, a couple of hours away, having spent the holiday with us. He said in a somewhat nervous voice “I have something to tell you”. Pause. “I’m gay”. I looked at Sally and said “And - - -“. And then one of us started the conversation by saying something like, yes, we know. He may have been a little surprised. He looked a bit like it. I asked if he had a steady and the said yes, I am seeing someone. I said in return that any partner of his would be welcome to join the family but there was a deal breaker. He looked suspicious and a maybe a little resigned.
Gays are rejected by a lot of people in their lives. Friends who didn’t know and can’t accept them as they are. Strangers who hate them but have no idea who they are. Religions that think they choose their life in some blasphemic statement. Families who are frightened or ignorant and cannot get past their own feelings of hate or guilt or whatever. And parents like the Dad that wrote the letter (1) that prompted this essay.
So our son was probably prepared to be disappointed while at the same time knowing that we were loving parents and liberal to the core. I dropped the bomb. Yes, I said there is a deal breaker. We don’t care what religion or color or age or occupation he may be. We do want him to be a loving and caring man. But the deal breaker is this: I don’t want him here if he is a Republican.

Silence, then a smile then hugs and some tears of joy. We have a fine Democrat son-in-law. Loving and caring. Matt did all right. So did John. So did we.

Image: Author

1. http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/fathers-hateful-letter-to-gay-son-after-coming-out-goes-viral/news/2012/08/07/45756

Private Prison Anyone? Invest and get Rich.

Here is a sure way to get rich: Build a private prison then contract with a State or the Federal government to house prisoners. Set the daily rates high enough to make a tidy profit while cutting costs to the bone. Want more money? Lobby the State or Federal government to increase the number of laws that require incarceration and lobby for stronger sentencing guidelines to put more people away for longer sentences.
Want a surefire population to incarcerate? Go after illegals. Lobby for strict state laws that require arrest without deportation. Lobby for less money to be spent on public defenders and more on prosecution. Lobby for no bail or high bail to keep the illegals from running back to their home country.
Want a surefire way to get your way? Donate tons of money to politicians and parties that will support you lobby efforts.

Oh, I forgot. The private prison industry is already doing this. You missed your chance at riches by about 10 years. Sorry. Never mind.

BUT WAIT!!! You could do the same for PRIVATE EDUCATION and call it a Charter School Movement. Ooops. Already done. Sorry. Never mind.
Image: http://www.paulsjusticeblog.com/pic10/PunishmentforSaleC1.jpg

http://news.yahoo.com/immigrants-prove-big-business-prison-companies-084353195.html

How do you spell “GUTS”?

I spell it with three words: Oscar and Ellie.

Oscar, the runner without lower legs and Ellie, the little girl without lower legs or lower arms. These two people are such an inspiration that it makes me weep to see and hear able bodied people whine and carp about their abs, or their upper body strength or their fat asses. Take one look at these pictures and the accomplishments of the two of them and be forever humbled. Abs my ass. I have legs and arms and don’t even think about them. No more speeches. Just look at the pictures and Google the people: Oscar Pistorius and hers is Ellie Challis. Just look at the images and you will have a better day. I promise. You can’t help but be inspired.

Image:http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/8PpPTSo9eSVj3eZNFJb__w--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusolyexperts/Azj8lh5CAAI-OKB.jpg

Image: http://www.whatsonshenzhen.com/news_images/ccc4ecd0a0c5ca786ec822ae_Ellie%203.jpg

Image: http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/14/42/13/3285735/3/628x471.jpg

A Theist. Atheist.

Easy to Tell What You Are.

If someone tells you that they are a Theist, you don't think much about it. But if they say they are an Atheist, you may get nervous. So relax. I am not an Atheist but I definitely do not believe in any kind of god. As I understand religion, all of them, you have to take the “god” on faith. That is what belief is all about. NO EVIDENCE.
The Atheist's problem is the same: no evidence that there isn't one somewhere. So personally I think there isn't one.
I also think that there is much absence of any god actually giving a damn.
I was raised to be a Christian. Confirmed. Baptized. Even thought about becoming a priest! Then the science soaked in. Where is the evidence? I asked myself. Couldn't find any I answered. Why not I asked? Isn't any I answered.
So. I had to "come out" as an atheist. Not easy to a lapsed Catholic mother and a "pillar of the church" father. They "clucked" and essentially told me that I would eventually come to my senses. I have, and there still is no evidence.
Even now I avoid the inevitable fruitless discussions by answering to the inevitable question: "I don't go to church. I'm not a Christian." Very few follow up. One of the perks of being a non-believer is no fear of eternal punishment and damnation from a loving god. I sleep at night. Another perk is no tithe to a sexist homophobic chauvinist bunch of old men (yes, some young ones too).
And, I don't always have to find out WWJD before doing anything. I pretty much know WWJD and pretty much agree with him. Instead I ask WWWD, and then just DO it.
On balance I probably miss some social contact with nice people, but many are kind of closed minded, and wouldn't want to hear the facts as I understand them anyway. Over the years the majority of my friends have been and are believers. Real friends. The kind that accept you for what and who you are, not what they think you should believe.
And as for being a former Atheist? Well, the absence of proof does not in and of itself constitute proof. So having no proof of the absence of any kind of god makes those who claim no god a kind of reverse believer. So in that sense I am definitely a believer. I believe that there are no gods. Many of you believe that there are. Who is right? Why I am, of course. “Woody said it, I believe it and that is the end of it.”

Image:http://thebarkingatheist.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/315360_393279067399032_955795267_n.jpg?w=604

"Dear Dr. Search" It Started

“Dear Dr. Search, I was a student of yours in the early 1980's. I just wanted to let you know that you had a profound influence on my life. You gave me the confidence to pursue a degree in biology which lead to a degree as a doctor of optometry which I have been practicing for almost 20 years. Thank You for making a difference.

Sincerely, Dr. L.C.M, OD.”

Knock me down with a feather! She took my courses more than 25 years ago and yesterday took the time to send me a note. This is the kind of feedback all teachers crave above salary and honors. This is the real Honor. When one goes into teaching it is often in the face of better career paths with greater financial payoffs at the end. The profession is a “calling” of sorts. We thrive on the success of our students, and only rarely get feedback years later. This is one reason I love to “friend” former students on Facebook. I get to see what they are doing and sometimes get to interact one way or the other.
Dr. M. doesn’t live too far from here, and one day I may drop in to her office and just say “Hello and Thanks.” I have already sent her a thank you email.
The Search Lesson here? If you remember a teacher that made a difference in your life many years ago, track them down and let them know. I swear it will be like giving a Vampire a fresh neck to bite. Yes, that good.


Image: http://rochestersage.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/chalkboardtomlinson.jpg