It is Dec 10. It is human rights day. Some of us are acquainted with the One Day for Human Rights web site. More of us need to be. The powers that be decided that for Human Rights Day, all the bloggers that would agree, shall write a post about their thoughts on human rights. I agreed. Now, what to blog about? There are so many aspects of this topic in this world right now. Millions of people on this planet, every day are being treated inhumanely, from rape, and beatings, to a simple dismissal of rights based upon gender, or sexual orientation. From Proposition 8 to Darfur there are uncountable variations of reasons that people and governments maintain to justify their actions. All these variations, however stem from one main reason, power. The human/animal drive to exert power and control over another individual. What human rights infringement really gets to you? We all have at least one. What about Bosnia, piracy in the Atlantic, slavery, or child porn? All of these things have one thing in common. A madman, or madwoman, who must feel powerful over another. They seem to find their personal worth in the subjugation of others. Like the U.S. "War on Terror" purports to be, we, as moral citizens of this world, no matter what your culture, must rise above this filth that stains our beautiful Mother Earth. We human beings, must hold all who victimize others, one hundred percent accountable.
I could not write about any one instance of injustice. For me, to speak of one down plays the others. No cross borne is any heavier than any other, for the weight is felt equally by the one made to bear it.
Please sign the petition to include the universal declaration of human rights in your passport.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
If we change our outlook...
Why did people get so up in arms about this speech? We have never been a Christian nation, but a nation of many faiths. The fact is President-Elect Obama speaks the truth. Maybe this scares people. We are no longer safe in our warm cocoons. The reality of our differences can no longer be ignored. To survive as a nation we need to strive to be accepting. The refusal to do so will leave us to stagnate. This nation used to be a place that other people saved their money to immigrate to. They would save their pennies to come here on vacation. Not any more. This country of ours can be great again, but only if we realize, as President-Elect Obama has,our absolute need to change the way we view the world. The other countries of the world are not us, and that is ok. They do not need to be us, nor do they need to be forced by us to be like us. If we change our outlook on those around us, both inside and outside our borders, we will be able to peacefully change how we are viewed, dealt with, and valued, by those who's input we value. Please listen to this speech with an open mind.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
If You Do Not Learn From History
In light of the state of this country, I offer commentary written over 200 years ago, by the fathers of this nation.
Are we really living up to the standard put forth by those men?
- America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.
- John Quincy Adams
- Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There was never a democracy that did not commit suicide.
- John Adams
- I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.
- Thomas Jefferson
- I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands clean as they are empty.
- Thomas Jefferson
- It has been observed that a pure democracy if it were practicable would be the most perfect government. Experience has proved that no position is more false than this. The ancient democracies in which the people themselves deliberated never possessed one good feature of government. Their very character was tyranny; their figure deformity.
- Alexander Hamilton
- I believe, and I say it is true Democratic feeling, that all the measures of the government are directed to the purpose of making the rich richer and the poor poorer.
- William Henry Harrison
Are we really living up to the standard put forth by those men?
Friday, September 26, 2008
Soccer
Soccer has been a big part of my life since I was young. I played from 10 till about 19. That's all I wanted to do. Made varsity team in High School all 4 years, and even got named to the All State team. That was a long time ago. Today I enjoy coaching children. The game has so much more to teach than just a sport. I find it to be so amazingly beautiful to watch when done right. So very funny when 8, 9, and 10 yr. olds get it wrong as they will do more often than not. But when they get that one shot, that one trick, or that new fake that they have practiced for so long, right. When it's perfect for the very first time, man.... no words can describe it. That "I knew it would work" look on their face is all I need.
The former statements hold true for FC Liverpool as well. Go Reds.
The former statements hold true for FC Liverpool as well. Go Reds.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
No McCain No Way
Sen. John McCain does not care about the people of this nation. He obviously does not care how many lives are lost, how much sorrow an American wife, child, or parent will feel as long as he is winning. He lost in Vietnam and now by God, he's gonna win. Wake up people! We have been living under fascist rule wrapped in the guise of patriotism. Our people, and our economy can not stand another four to eight years of people who are out for the swelling of their own wallets. How can you watch innocents die while reaping the financial benefits, and say that you are morally justified in your actions. I am always wary of those who do what "God" called them to do. Their calling is usually wrapped up in their own agendas. This nation was founded on the principal of "By the people, for the people". Not, by the one for the one. I say that if you are truly a moral person then there is no way that you can place your vote behind Sen. John McCain. We are expected to be lemmings, following in line, one after the other, even though it may lead us off a cliff. I will not jump. Not for him, not for anyone.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Not All Silver Linings
It seems to me that a lot of the blogs I see always have a happy outcome. Always a "silver lining". In looking back at my few entries, I look like I'm falling into the same pattern. In my header I promised you "life", my life. Not everything, not even half, of the things in my life are hunky dory. Most have pluses and minuses. My kids are a constant source of joy, and utter frustration. Though I love school, it is very hard for me to comprehend many of the concepts we are taught. The list goes on. These things I have no trouble finding my silver lining with. Plenty of other items I deal with on a daily basis, just flat out suck. My children go to one of the worst school systems in the country. My eldest actually has texting as part of his curriculum. No kidding texting, on a phone. I live in a highly conservative part of the country. Child support payments (Which are made on time, no matter what). Again, the list goes on. Let's face it, many aspects of life blow, no sliver lining. Plenty of things piss me off. So in respect to what I have promised you, i.e. Life, not all posts will be happy-go-lucky entries. Not all will end on the bright side of life. Hopefully not even most, but at least some. It's my life. No way would I ever change it. I am who I am because of, or in spite of, it. I promised you my life, so now the kid gloves are off. Welcome to it.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Living the Dream
I always hated that reply to "How you doin'?". Of course, I've been known to say it when I was working yet another dead end job. I think it makes us feel somewhat better about our present "station" in life. That being said, I don't have a job right now. I haven't had a computer for the last ten years. No-can-afford when you have all these mouths under one roof. So When I started IT school it was a helluva shock. Too many new things. People don't realize just how much the Internet has exploded. So, I gotta' catch up. I sit in front of my computer for almost 14 hours a day now. Learning, exploring, flat out soaking in it. I study constantly. My wife is starting to hate my new "girlfriend". You'd like her. Her name is Dell.
So, in the last two days, I have added five new toolbars to FireFox, started this Blog, completed four chapters in my Beginning Linux class, listed to too many hours of Pandora.com, and looked at countless web pages. Not to mention, I'm a delicious blogger who likes to tweet his diggs, diggs his diigos, and still just doesn't see the fascination with facebook.
My wife and I know that all this will pay off in the end. So, bless her heart, she quietly deals with my sitting in front of the computer for long hours, when I know she'd like some of my time. God, I love her. She works extra hours so we can succeed together. She's a rare find these days.
This time, I guess, we really are living the dream.
So, in the last two days, I have added five new toolbars to FireFox, started this Blog, completed four chapters in my Beginning Linux class, listed to too many hours of Pandora.com, and looked at countless web pages. Not to mention, I'm a delicious blogger who likes to tweet his diggs, diggs his diigos, and still just doesn't see the fascination with facebook.
My wife and I know that all this will pay off in the end. So, bless her heart, she quietly deals with my sitting in front of the computer for long hours, when I know she'd like some of my time. God, I love her. She works extra hours so we can succeed together. She's a rare find these days.
This time, I guess, we really are living the dream.
Monday, August 18, 2008
My Son the Hero
I played Guitar Hero for the first time this past weekend. I learned that one, I have no rhythm, and two, video games have far surpassed my level of expertise. Insult to injury, my oldest son, Brennan, said "Don't worry Dad, it took me a while too." Thanks son......thanks a lot. He, by the way, rocks at it. He's had it for only two days. This is a time in my life not very unlike listening to my favorite song from high school on the radio, and realizing I'm tuned into the oldies station.
Here We Go
Welcome to my very first blog. As you can see I am a 38 yr. old father of five, going back to school to find a new career. 20+ years in the restaurant business was enough. I've served enough steaks, ribs, chicken, and alcohol, and I've certainly spent enough nights, weekends, and holidays away from my family. It's their time now.
I started this blog to chronicle what fatherhood, college,and life in my late 30's is like. So let's see where it takes us.
I started this blog to chronicle what fatherhood, college,and life in my late 30's is like. So let's see where it takes us.
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