Let's take a moment to talk about driving, shall we?
There is nothing in the world quite like driving in Bloomington/Normal. I have heard about the traffic in Britain and France, New York and L.A. I have even witnessed firsthand the freeway nightmares that are Atlanta and Dallas.
But none of that compares to the people of Bloomington/Normal. I have lived in small towns from Canyon, Texas (a small blip on the map about a half hour southwest of Amarillo) to Carbandale, Illinois, the suburbs of Chicago and seen many points in between.
But never have I ever seen a place where, of two people facing each other at a stop sign, did the person turning left be routinely given the right of way!
It is a form of insanity that I have determined from frequent observation of the Bloomington-Normalite stems from either fear on the part of the person moving forward that the person turning will just go no matter who has right of way, or a terminal case of The Nice.
Now, I'm all for being nice. I hold doors for people when entering buildings, I bring my girlfriend a rose on every date. I like doing good deeds for others, and it's not from a selfish place as some cynics might decree. Yes, seeing that others appreciate my good will does me good, but why shouldn't it? It's an exchange of positive energies, and that's a good thing.
Well, I'm getting a bit off-topic here, but my point is clear, I like good deeds as much as the next person.
But when your good deed interrupts the flow of traffic and possibly leads to holding up the five or more people behind you because now the cross-traffic is confused as well, it is no longer a good Samaritan doing a good deed.
People don't seem to consider the consequence of their actions much in Bloomington-Normal. This isn't just in driving but in everyday situations like shopping. I'm sure this happens everywhere but for the numerous people who stop, cart and all in the middle of an aisle when they can see that you are trying to pass, to the traffic monitor who must go the exact speed - sometimes slower - one's actions really shows one's mindset.
There is a flow to life. In Buddhism we learn of it as the eightfold path, there is probably a name for it in every religion and culture. People who do not pay attention to this flow, who are disconnected from the world around them tend to interrupt and disrupt the flow of the world around them.
It's such a shame that a place as nice and beautiful as Bloomington/Normal has so many people who miss or ignore that path and flow. I suppose one could say that they all have their own drummer. But when I observe people who don't seem to take notice of the folks around them, or the repercussions their own actions have on the folks who are around them, alarm bells sound in my head.
And living in this town the last half of my life, the alarm bells have been going off since day one when I made the observation that some people around here are pretty unsophisticated. I was 14 when I first moved to Bloomington-Normal.
It's been a long 15 years here. But I suppose there are worse places I could be. I'm just ready to get back to Chicago, my home sweet home. Where I am sure there will be as many if not more crazy drivers to rail about.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
No "Judy Blue Eyes" for You!
Last night I attended a great concert in Chicago. Crosby, Stills and Nash were in town again. Now, including this show, I've seen them three times, twice in Chicago and once in St. Louis. They've never done "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes!" It's my favorite song by them and every time we see them I hope that they will perform it but they don't. Never mind that, it was an amazing 2 1/2 hours of great music. Not only did they perform some classic songs of their own, they covered tunes by the likes of Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones.
And what a day we had! Dad and I walked all around Chicago near the Grant Park and theatre district areas. We went to Millennium Park, walked along both the lake and the river and I got tons of great photos of buildings, people, and more in the great city.
Every time I have a trip like that it makes me wish more that I were living in Chicago or even New York.
One of the highlights of the day was meeting a pair of hip-hop artists selling CDs. I gave them a few bucks and got some good music. If you like hip-hop you might want to look them up at http://www.cysion.net/ or www.myspace.com/allareamusic. Their names are, respectively, Cysion and Authentic.
There was but one blight upon the day, and that came at the concert: The seats we had were right behind a special pavilion seating for the next price level. The people sitting there get drinks brought to them, among other special treatment. Unfortunately, where they sit blocks the first two rows of seating for us regular folk.
Not that we minded at this if the people who paid for the seats showed up. But about 20 minutes into the show, a group of four arrived and the alpha female of the group suggested that, instead of climbing to their proper destination they sit in the pavilion seats - right in front of us.
I don't know what it is about the Tenuto Luck, but in live events and movies we always seem to attract the jerks and the assholes: The tall guy who has his pick of seats in a movie theatre, only to plop himself down in front of our short selves (this isn't so much of a problem since the local theatres went to stadium seating but it bugged us to no end at the old theatres where the seats were on a fairly even plane); the noisy chick who feels she has to dance in the aisles to songs about war protest or other deep subjects; the alpha male at baseball games who feels that he has to yell obscenities throughout all nine innings - or even worse the fan of the opposing team who turns his obscenities upon us for daring to support our beloved Cubbies when (insert team name here) is obviously the superior team.
Well, at any rate, my dad did what most people might have and asked the attendant to remove the interlopers to their proper seats and we went on enjoying the concert.
Until, about 50 minutes in (and only a song or two before the end of the first set), another group of four (two guys and two girls, just like the first group), get steered to the same section by yet another alpha female. My father, instead of informing the attendant this time, went directly to the source. All he said was that he was about to inform the attendant of their being out of place, so it might behoove them to remove themselves. The selfsame woman who led the group there challenged him by saying, "You want to check my ticket?"
The attendant, who was standing right in front of her, promptly turned around and said, "Why yes. Yes I would like to check your ticket."
And as the young lady, caught up by her own big mouth and sense of entitlement, walked away she said to my dad, "Happy now, you lazy fatass?"
I couldn't help myself. I yelled out "Sit in your own seats next time."
Now, all of this might not be worth mentioning had it not been for the fact that, as the woman and her group were leaving - before the final song of the second set no less - she walked up behind my father, poked him in the shoulder and yelled, "By the way, this isn't your seat," followed by expletives I will not repeat here. You see, as the people in our row left we had shifted seats in order to get a better view.
We both responded to that by yelling, almost in unison, "At least we're not blocking anyone's view!" This, of course, got us a dose of her middle finger.
Why do people who were obviously in the wrong feel it necessary to abuse those who would try to do right?
My first thought after all of this was, what is a person who is so vitriolic and looking for a fight doing at a Crosby, Stills and Nash concert? I mean, this is one of the quintessential hippie bands of the 60's. The main point behind most of their music is that brotherly love and compassion will be what guides us through life, not strife, entitlement or savagery. I know, the music bridges all personality types and invites all to listen. It just goes to show, you can't control who you meet when you go out your front door. I am not going to let this woman ruin the memory of my good day. I am only writing about it to illustrate further what I wrote in my last post: Even though I did not heed my own words and responded to her anger with more anger (or at least an attempt to let her know that she was fully in the wrong). But this is not how I think people should treat others. Kind words and an open heart are the only way to go. I have a long way to get there, and so does a lot of this country. I think we're still working off all the fear and paranoia of the Bush administration. Once all that is out of our system, I'm hoping there will be less people like that woman who accosted us.
Well, one can hope, can't he?
And what a day we had! Dad and I walked all around Chicago near the Grant Park and theatre district areas. We went to Millennium Park, walked along both the lake and the river and I got tons of great photos of buildings, people, and more in the great city.
Every time I have a trip like that it makes me wish more that I were living in Chicago or even New York.
One of the highlights of the day was meeting a pair of hip-hop artists selling CDs. I gave them a few bucks and got some good music. If you like hip-hop you might want to look them up at http://www.cysion.net/ or www.myspace.com/allareamusic. Their names are, respectively, Cysion and Authentic.
There was but one blight upon the day, and that came at the concert: The seats we had were right behind a special pavilion seating for the next price level. The people sitting there get drinks brought to them, among other special treatment. Unfortunately, where they sit blocks the first two rows of seating for us regular folk.
Not that we minded at this if the people who paid for the seats showed up. But about 20 minutes into the show, a group of four arrived and the alpha female of the group suggested that, instead of climbing to their proper destination they sit in the pavilion seats - right in front of us.
I don't know what it is about the Tenuto Luck, but in live events and movies we always seem to attract the jerks and the assholes: The tall guy who has his pick of seats in a movie theatre, only to plop himself down in front of our short selves (this isn't so much of a problem since the local theatres went to stadium seating but it bugged us to no end at the old theatres where the seats were on a fairly even plane); the noisy chick who feels she has to dance in the aisles to songs about war protest or other deep subjects; the alpha male at baseball games who feels that he has to yell obscenities throughout all nine innings - or even worse the fan of the opposing team who turns his obscenities upon us for daring to support our beloved Cubbies when (insert team name here) is obviously the superior team.
Well, at any rate, my dad did what most people might have and asked the attendant to remove the interlopers to their proper seats and we went on enjoying the concert.
Until, about 50 minutes in (and only a song or two before the end of the first set), another group of four (two guys and two girls, just like the first group), get steered to the same section by yet another alpha female. My father, instead of informing the attendant this time, went directly to the source. All he said was that he was about to inform the attendant of their being out of place, so it might behoove them to remove themselves. The selfsame woman who led the group there challenged him by saying, "You want to check my ticket?"
The attendant, who was standing right in front of her, promptly turned around and said, "Why yes. Yes I would like to check your ticket."
And as the young lady, caught up by her own big mouth and sense of entitlement, walked away she said to my dad, "Happy now, you lazy fatass?"
I couldn't help myself. I yelled out "Sit in your own seats next time."
Now, all of this might not be worth mentioning had it not been for the fact that, as the woman and her group were leaving - before the final song of the second set no less - she walked up behind my father, poked him in the shoulder and yelled, "By the way, this isn't your seat," followed by expletives I will not repeat here. You see, as the people in our row left we had shifted seats in order to get a better view.
We both responded to that by yelling, almost in unison, "At least we're not blocking anyone's view!" This, of course, got us a dose of her middle finger.
Why do people who were obviously in the wrong feel it necessary to abuse those who would try to do right?
My first thought after all of this was, what is a person who is so vitriolic and looking for a fight doing at a Crosby, Stills and Nash concert? I mean, this is one of the quintessential hippie bands of the 60's. The main point behind most of their music is that brotherly love and compassion will be what guides us through life, not strife, entitlement or savagery. I know, the music bridges all personality types and invites all to listen. It just goes to show, you can't control who you meet when you go out your front door. I am not going to let this woman ruin the memory of my good day. I am only writing about it to illustrate further what I wrote in my last post: Even though I did not heed my own words and responded to her anger with more anger (or at least an attempt to let her know that she was fully in the wrong). But this is not how I think people should treat others. Kind words and an open heart are the only way to go. I have a long way to get there, and so does a lot of this country. I think we're still working off all the fear and paranoia of the Bush administration. Once all that is out of our system, I'm hoping there will be less people like that woman who accosted us.
Well, one can hope, can't he?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Hearts and Minds
George Tiller.
His name was George Tiller.
Yes, he performed abortions. He performed in some cases late-term abortions in instances where a mother's life was endangered by her pregnancy. How many mothers' lives were saved because of these abortions? How much good did this man do, and how much good could he have done if not brutally killed while ushering for his church?
So many people seem reluctant to call this terrorism, but that is exactly what it is. Terrorism is by definition (as Keith Olbermann pointed out on Countdown last night) an attempt to change societal behavior through acts which instill terror and fear in people.
I had a girlfriend recently who asserted that anyone who is pro-choice is also pro-abortion. We argued for hours on this point. I tried hard to point out that while I am pro-choice, I am morally opposed to abortion as a frivolous form of post-sex birth control. However there are cases, when a woman has been raped, when the child is life-threateningly deformed or suffers some other genetic disease, or when the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother, that abortion is an acceptable solution. I pointed out that were I to get a girl pregnant I would do anything I could to keep her from getting an abortion. No matter what I said, in her eyes, I was still pro-abortion. This is the kind of unwillingness or inability to recognize subtleties and distinction in the thought processes of others that leads to the hard-core behavior of the man who gunned down Dr. Tiller, or the people who killed numerous abortion doctors in the 90's after Clinton became President.
It is this kind of behavior that is at the root of all terrorism. The kinds of people who have something so wrong in their minds - be it an inborn trait or something drummed into their heads by parents, religious and other authority figures during their formative years - will never listen to reason, nor will violence sway them. The only thing that will affect them will be if their actions change the way we as a society act. So what are we to do about these people?
About a week or so ago Obama put forth the idea of indefinite detention for those suspected terrorists held in Guantanamo Bay. While I do detest the idea of jailing people for a crime they have yet to commit, I have to wonder what is the Obama administration to do with those Gitmo detainees who profess such an utter hatred for America that were they to be freed they would immediately find a terrorist cell and make plans to attack America again?
I know that some of the people who have been put into Gitmo were not terrorists in the first place but people on a suspect list in one form or another. I can also infer that some of those people who were not terrorists then would have a damn good reason to be terrorists now. So if you're sitting across from one of these detainees and they say with all the conviction in their heart that if you let them go they will seek out terror cells and join them, what would you do?
I'm no conservative but even I would have a hard time holding the door open for a person like that. It's a tough line to walk for anyone. It must be impossible for Barack Obama.
His name was George Tiller.
Yes, he performed abortions. He performed in some cases late-term abortions in instances where a mother's life was endangered by her pregnancy. How many mothers' lives were saved because of these abortions? How much good did this man do, and how much good could he have done if not brutally killed while ushering for his church?
So many people seem reluctant to call this terrorism, but that is exactly what it is. Terrorism is by definition (as Keith Olbermann pointed out on Countdown last night) an attempt to change societal behavior through acts which instill terror and fear in people.
Back in April there was a document put out that defined domestic terrorists as exactly the kind of people who would do this sort of thing. There was such an outcry from the Right that Secratary Napolitano publicly appologized. And the Right still refuses to accept this definition of domestic terrorists, if they even accept the fact of domestic terrorism at all.
I had a girlfriend recently who asserted that anyone who is pro-choice is also pro-abortion. We argued for hours on this point. I tried hard to point out that while I am pro-choice, I am morally opposed to abortion as a frivolous form of post-sex birth control. However there are cases, when a woman has been raped, when the child is life-threateningly deformed or suffers some other genetic disease, or when the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother, that abortion is an acceptable solution. I pointed out that were I to get a girl pregnant I would do anything I could to keep her from getting an abortion. No matter what I said, in her eyes, I was still pro-abortion. This is the kind of unwillingness or inability to recognize subtleties and distinction in the thought processes of others that leads to the hard-core behavior of the man who gunned down Dr. Tiller, or the people who killed numerous abortion doctors in the 90's after Clinton became President.
It is this kind of behavior that is at the root of all terrorism. The kinds of people who have something so wrong in their minds - be it an inborn trait or something drummed into their heads by parents, religious and other authority figures during their formative years - will never listen to reason, nor will violence sway them. The only thing that will affect them will be if their actions change the way we as a society act. So what are we to do about these people?
About a week or so ago Obama put forth the idea of indefinite detention for those suspected terrorists held in Guantanamo Bay. While I do detest the idea of jailing people for a crime they have yet to commit, I have to wonder what is the Obama administration to do with those Gitmo detainees who profess such an utter hatred for America that were they to be freed they would immediately find a terrorist cell and make plans to attack America again?
I know that some of the people who have been put into Gitmo were not terrorists in the first place but people on a suspect list in one form or another. I can also infer that some of those people who were not terrorists then would have a damn good reason to be terrorists now. So if you're sitting across from one of these detainees and they say with all the conviction in their heart that if you let them go they will seek out terror cells and join them, what would you do?
I'm no conservative but even I would have a hard time holding the door open for a person like that. It's a tough line to walk for anyone. It must be impossible for Barack Obama.
And through all of this it was media outlets like FOX (excuse me, FAUXNews) that stoked these flames, that put fuel on the fire of domestic terrorists, whose pandering pundits and aggressive tactics have been the real thing weakening America in the eyes of the world. And in the aftermath they refuse to accept their part in things. I whole-heartedly support Keith Olbermann's assertion that a boycott of the programming does not work. I also agree with his assertion that if you go into a restaurant, bar, or other establishment that is showing FOX "News," and you believe as I do that it is a form of cancer that is rotting this country from the inside out, you should, if not walk out, at least explain to the owners how you feel about FOX and why you will not be patronizing their establishment so long as they broadcast it there. Olbermann has a really good point here: Put pressure on the little people to stop feeding this crap into the brains of all who walk into their establishment and maybe if that form of veiwership gets cut off, so will Fox's ratings and just possibly its effectiveness.
No matter what the case we as Americans can and hopefully will do better. I know I intend to try to do better every day, and that includes treating my fellow man, no matter how despicable, irritating or annoying, no matter what his differences in opinion from mine, with a kind hand and an open heart. I hope you all do the same.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Obama's Long Weekend
The Obamas had a night on the town this weekend.
It's great to see the First Family actually be cosmopolitan, dashing and glamorous. They deserve it. Of course, the conservative pundits are crying bloody murder: "They're spending taxpayer money, it's too much of an extravagence, they put pedestrians at an inconvenience, and at rush hour no less, they're acting more royal than Presidential..."
I just have to wonder if these windbags ever run out of air.
Okay, so this was basically a $50,000-$100,000 date. That does seem like a lot, but what are the Obamas going to do? It's not like the man has time to take vacations at Camp David, or his own personal ranch - oh wait, he doesn't have a ranch. When the Bushes took their distinctly unearned vacations all throughout the presidency what did it cost for travel and protection? Since Obama is choosing not to take vacation time with dire world events in need of his attention, doesn't he and Michelle at least deserve one weekend of rest and entertainment?
Well, I have come to accept the reality that, no matter what Obama or his administration does, whether his stimulus package works and rights the economy, whether the ending of the Iraq war and closing of Guantanamo Bay prove to strengthen America and lessen the likelihood of terrorist attacks on her soil, no matter what he does right there are people for whom he will never be right.
But come on, folks. Even us lefties were willing to admit it when Bush got something right.
I know it's not the Republican way - or rather the NeoCon way - but it would be nice to see some of Obama's critics give the guy some slack. Just once is it too much to ask?
It's great to see the First Family actually be cosmopolitan, dashing and glamorous. They deserve it. Of course, the conservative pundits are crying bloody murder: "They're spending taxpayer money, it's too much of an extravagence, they put pedestrians at an inconvenience, and at rush hour no less, they're acting more royal than Presidential..."
I just have to wonder if these windbags ever run out of air.
Okay, so this was basically a $50,000-$100,000 date. That does seem like a lot, but what are the Obamas going to do? It's not like the man has time to take vacations at Camp David, or his own personal ranch - oh wait, he doesn't have a ranch. When the Bushes took their distinctly unearned vacations all throughout the presidency what did it cost for travel and protection? Since Obama is choosing not to take vacation time with dire world events in need of his attention, doesn't he and Michelle at least deserve one weekend of rest and entertainment?
Well, I have come to accept the reality that, no matter what Obama or his administration does, whether his stimulus package works and rights the economy, whether the ending of the Iraq war and closing of Guantanamo Bay prove to strengthen America and lessen the likelihood of terrorist attacks on her soil, no matter what he does right there are people for whom he will never be right.
But come on, folks. Even us lefties were willing to admit it when Bush got something right.
I know it's not the Republican way - or rather the NeoCon way - but it would be nice to see some of Obama's critics give the guy some slack. Just once is it too much to ask?
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