Saturday, June 04, 2005
ENOUGH! Few of us can lay claim to keeping up with the days news without a great deal of duplication. I think we can justify ourselves in doing so, because the very system whereby we are kept it touch with activities of the rest of mankind - as well as that of all there is to knows about the cosmic surroundings as well. “News“ today is something far more complicated than it was just a few years ago. Not too may years ago a newspaper subscribed to a service which specialized in supplying headline and basic information concerning, perhaps, a score of “important stories. That was the “news” and we spoke confident of putting the morning edition of our paper “to bed” by two o'clock a.m.; three, at the most. The news” page or pages had yet to be printed and distributed throughout the city and rural areas served. Brevity, concise clarity and truthfulness were basic requirements growing out of the actual doing of each step-by-step of it all. We worked with a deeply set sense of pride, too – confident, you might say, that what were doing was needed was worthwhile. The evening edition was much more terse. Stories were shorter. It was part of my job as “re-write” man to make use of the rented service which provided headings and initial paragraphs only - an economy measure taken to keep the front office happy. It was my job to fit the stories to spaces available. The evening edition had editorials on the news of the morning edition which,of course, all had to done by noon. Editors had precious little time to to think about such on such matters. The very nature of news gathering, reading, and publishing has change dramatically and is still in changing. The format of newspaper has changed to features-papers - comments and opinions on the news item rather than the items themselves. Half-hour news programs on radio and TV have been shrinking. Five minutes -in all honesty, more like two or three items on each side of commercial “messages”. It has all created a threatening wall of “clutter”. News - as such - has become a burden. The repetitive nature of today's news is killing it slowly but surely. A.L.M. June 4, 2005 [c546wds]
Friday, June 03, 2005
MORE INVENTORS NEEDED We often overlook those very important people called “inventors”. They are those, who by discovering new gadgets, make tomorrow more pleasant, meaningful and profitable. Right now, a time when everyone seems to be making vast strides into the future in so many fields of interest. We, are more than ever, in need of the subtle little touches which inventors find to make even better use of those things we have. Such a man was William Painter, the son of a Quaker farmer in “the Freedom State” of Maryland who in 1892 patented a seal with a layer of cork glued to a metal disk which could then be crimped around the lip of a glass bottle or metal container to seal it properly. Until that time hundreds of different materials had been used and none of them satisfactorily. The cork served well in many cases, yet it was subject to decay, damage during use when it could jam or break while being used. It would disintegrate and fall into the stored food or drink. Devises for “uncorking” were numerous consisting of implanted wires, clamps, pullers, stabbers, grabbers and other “unstoppers” of various kinds. I am so much concerned right now about Bill Painter's inventions or those by other individuals such as he, who continue to make such wonderful little things which add so much to our enjoyment of things we all have in abundance. New inventors are being forged today to supply coming generations with better ways to use and enjoy and really make wide use of the tremendous inventions now being spread around the world. Much of that which we have considered to be in normal use, are quite new to re-born nations such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Often we tend to,think of inventors as being eccentric individuals. For the most part they may be said to be “different” from the average run of people in that they accept and dwell on odd elements of living and need. Many of them have been inventors in a another sense in the composing of new music; the development of new plant or in the making of better communications and art forms. It is a wide open field for innovative action. A.L.M. June 3, 2005 [c546wds]
Thursday, June 02, 2005
AT THE VERY START Each of us must decide for ourselves what is going to be of primary importance in our life. That act – early or delayed – is basic to what we might become. Today we seem to have tendency to avoid dealing seriously with any idea of becoming a “doctor,lawyer or Indian Chief” for an extended time as if by making such a choice too early we might complicate our future and make it all the more difficult. The young people of our time are being allowed choices which are judged to be “in tune with our times”. They are afforded a far wider choice of work in keeping with the expansiveness of our culture. Notice how much is centered on becoming what is called ”a success” in whatever field is chosen. The first letter of the term resembles a dollar sign and that is deemed to be the guideline in whatever field of work is chosen. A burnished dollar sign is the star of Hope for the student. It lights the way, sometimes with deceptive rays, beams and flashings. Too often it limits opportunity,as well, by decreeing by its generous gradations of sheepskins - mere paper, fancifully printed and over-embossed and all sufficiently obfuscated by language which can only lead to mediocrity. Occupational self-deception leads us every downward. Our relaxed educational systems have become warped in favor of academic illusions is is constantly bing exhibited by the number of young ”graduates” - high school or college – who have “completed their educations” seek employment suitable to their supposed status which does not exist. They are, for the most part, required to “start over again”. We need to realize that basic qualities of home life, church life, social involvements, human need as related to all in wants and differing and deprivation are part and parcel of this package we label so expertly and try to forget -just cover it with degrees and more formal education. “Everybody does it” is commonly used to excuse us. Poll yourselves – that's plural - ask all parts of your personality what you like best! We use the expression “to educate ourselves.“ We do more of it than you might think we do. A.L.M. June 2, 2005 [c539wds]
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
A TRAITOR NAMED FELT On this first day of the month of June 2005, I find that my personal feelings in regard to a man we have been led to speak of as “Deep Throat” have not changed. If anything, those same thoughts I had when this mysterious character appeared, have not been modified by subsequent events except, perhaps, as they might reflect the intensity with the shame and disgrace which I felt the contrived situation brought to segments of journalism and to many of those in political leadership or guidance. The individual named “Deep Throat” committed acts of a traitor as they were conceived, executed and as they have continued to be an evil essence as embedded in structure of so-called acts of justice which have resulted from from excessive acts of the “Deep Throat” era. Young people have only a vague oft-told-tale- idea of what it was all supposed to be about. The present information being bandied would have us believe the ninety-one year old man who now passes himself as ”Deep Throat “was so named because of the depth and authoritative roll of his unusual voice, whispering in the dank, emptiness of downtown.. In truth, the name was ,at that time, very much in use by a porn queen of the time who specialized in oral sex with reported alacrity which the garage-talkers had to have known. “Deep Throat” was a handy code-word for the unspeakable. As he story continued, it stayed on that same intellectual level with tabloid inventiveness. Right now we are being asked by some to grant honors to this man who has,himself, set forth claims to fame and “blowing the whistle on”crooked politicians. He does not see his every act as being those of the common cheat, envy, greed, hate ...all those traits he ascribes so easily to others he has ruined. He was a ”little boy” type of man who was overlooked when it came to be time nudged aside when it came time to name someone one as head of the F.B.I. He would continue to serve in the Number Two spot. He decided to get even for the slight. He did not step forward to announce his awareness of improper actions but, secretly began to pass along such information - snippets of sinfulness – to reporters whose job it was to gather such information Much of that which he told was true. Some of it was not factual and much of it was exaggerated and told out of context. It made little or no difference to him. He did not realize he would be called upon to serve the rest of the century plus five years as a much-despised and, worse yet, an almost forgotten “Deep Throat” character. In some ways, the appearance of this man now as a self-confessed criminal is a sad thing to behold. Let's not punish the man any more for his false beliefs and unwise actions. He may well have a fate of being remembered both as a patriot who did his duty and as a traitor who rebelled against his own. Now, feeble at ninety-one, it's time to cash in on it all and make some real money. A.L.M. June 1, 2005 [c526wd
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
SUPER PARENTS If you are of the opinion that you and your spouse might qualify to be called “super parents”, think again. Alasdair McGregor, who writes in the Norwich, England “Evening News 24”,(today May 31st) of Lee and Sue Tutton who hold that title for giving foster home care to over sixty boys and girls in the past decade, in addition to raising three of their own. The experiences of this Tivetshall St. Mary couple are genuine. Both have experienced turbulent lives and know, first-hand, what it can be for a children growing up in foster homes. They got started when Sue's younger sister -fifteen at the time- ran away from her foster home and came to stay with them. Social Services suggested steps to be taken whereby they could legally become foster parents and she became the first of the sixty who have stayed with them. McGregor has set forth one of the few articles on this subject which tells both the good and the not-so-good ciao good information concerning g it. Lee and Sue Tutton, married sixteen years, have been honest, sincere and realistic since the day they started. It does take money and anyone who even thinks of it as an income-producing business is dreaming. Lee owns the “K&S Limo” service and Sue owns the “L&s Bridal Wear” shop, in nearby Diss. Lee says” he grew up with five brothers and sisters in his time, three dads and several uncles. ...so , in some ways,” he says, “ I know where the kids are coming from.” Sue Tutton grew up in London pubs and she has said often that if they give a child a happy, relaxed home and they choose o stay with us it is a big boost for all of us.” They speak of changes in the children - no two exactly alike - and lament the few who have run afoul of the Law. They beam with pride when they speak of the accomplishments of those who have prospered in their extended family. Now, after a decade of more child rearing, it must be truly a family which if growing in number. I was unaware that English regulations forbid foster parents from contacting their charges once they have left their home for a new one, or to return to that of their real parents. If you are in any way connected with foster homes and the care of children in need, urge you to take time to visit the Norwich paper: http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk. Read the article: ”Meet the proud parents of 65 kids.” As soon as this page is on line, I am doing a “Thank you” note to Alasdair McGregor who is by-lined in the Norwich paper with his URL:al.mcgregor@archant.co.uk. A.L.M. May 31, 2005 [c473wds]
Monday, May 30, 2005
FRANCE ONCE MORE I seem to be at odds with France once again. This time it came about rather suddenly, when, in yesterday's voting, the French people refused approval for the new European Union constitution. They are the first nation which has disapproved the document which was largely formulated in France. Exactly how much damage has been done to the overall project is uncertain at this time. The vote in France brought out about seventy per cent of eligible voters which is high but opposition has centered on the problems presently associated with France's rising unemployment figures, a fear of foreign workers flooding the work areas, and, in general, all opposition against President Jacques Chirac which has been aroused to help defeat the acceptance of anything to do with European Union. About fifty-five percent of the eligible voters opposed the Union. A few days earlier the voters of Netherlands faced a like situation. Opposition to European Union was louder and more organized than it was in France but EU supporters in the Netherlands mounted a damage control program which was designed to overcome fears of failure and wild cases of being inundated with free market workers and wares. Political factions will make the most of this. The have declared EU to be dead. They have called for the resignation of J. Chirac. Twenty-five nations must sign. Nine have done so. Austria, Hungary, Italy, Greece, Germany, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. The date we must all keep in mind will be: November l, 2006. Will France fare better as the only holdout? A.L.M. May 30, 2005 [c274wds]
Sunday, May 29, 2005
DOMENSIONS IN SPEECH How can it be, I find myself wondering , that the planet Earth on which we live, can seem to be shrinking and becoming smaller while, at the same time, there is plenty of evidence that insists it is also maturing, even growing larger at the same time? Just as we do in the so many of our defenses again life's more harsh circumstances, we often deceive ourselves by making strange uses of our connective quality we call “language” or “speech”. We can, if speech is seen as a means of attaining unity, see it also as being an active ingredient in the recipe for friction, failure, rumors of, then, conditions of actual war. At such times we can even make use of the very same words as we re-use them to bring about the opposite view. Some curious uses are made of terms which prove cooking up of real boil, and even double-bubble boil and trouble cauldrons to be a common political diversion. The world is, at best, and ally rather than a friend. Living has never been easy. It demands involvement and the exercise of special cautions to avoid or minimize conflicts and to encourage understanding, tolerance, and empathy in various social areas. If we Americans can permit our legislative governmental officials to bicker over petty things such as that which have been commonplace during the past few weeks as “outs” have tried to filibuster nominations made by the “ins” - to death. Such childish harangues are hardly to be called statesmanship. The willingness of certain political leaders to take a public stand on such a silly subject, might well serve as an indication of weaknesses of their other stated beliefs. One redeeming point I have found to be in all of this to-do about all this change of rules tactic is found in the fact that not one party member has stepped up to say how proud he is that his vote recipient stood forth in such a manner for the poor, put-upon and mis-treated minorities. A.L.M. May 29, 2005 [c356wds]
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