Monday, July 31, 2006
BIG BLOW FROM NOWHERE I have not had any really serious business with major hurricanes and the likes, but I have seen the physical damage such errant and everywhere winds can do. I respect their presence and hope to stay uninformed of their excesses on a first hand basis. I was surprised just the other day, when someone pointed out to me that hurricanes seldom, if ever, have lightening as a regular part of their general make-up. If it does occur it is usually most apparent on the inner eye wall area. They are best viewed from above and observers in planes above the eye of the storm can see numerous such fiery strikes at rates of several per minute. I' m told ex pierced weather-personnel joke about such storms: "Hurricanes blow a great deal; they rain and they flood, but they don't snap, crackle and pop away!" There are certain such storms which are designated as being "electric" hurricanes. The electric fields measured above the eye of such storms are as high or higher than those found in ordinary, land-based "meso-scale" thunderstorms - as much as 8 kilovolts...and that is considered to be "big." We are finding that we still need to, learn a great deal more about hurricanes to work to learn to forestall some of the great damage of the hurricanes seasons year after year. We know more about where they originate as we watch African winds become America's storms. We are aware of the Sahara sand storms and of reactions over the South Atlantic, but we still ignorant of the precise ways in which they interact. What, exactly, are the nucleation points of the elements? We do not yet understand the interplay of desert sands and the flow of water vapors of the vast Atlantic breeding area. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-31-06 [c317wds]
Sunday, July 30, 2006
TRANSLATIONS I, like many others, I'm sure have long wondered what the city name "Shanghai" actually meant. I have a URL address which gives me the true meaning of such words, now but for along time I lived this written word world without that aid to verbal respectability regarding the true definitions of foreign words. Just last night I was reading a nostalgia article by a GI who once talked to a Chinese person he met on one of the docks along the Whangpoo River who told him that the name "Shanghai" meant:"up from the river." It sorta makes sense, doesn't it.? People who hailed from south of wherever you may have been could speak with pride of being from the more populated coastline. Or, highlanders could look down on such a visitor as something dragged in by sea gulls from down on the salty waters. I have met people from other countries who have thought it to be great fun to teach others improper meanings of words, so for the moment, until I can check it out, I'm going to accept that "shanghai" means "up from the sea." I remember one "Little Theater" group years ago, when, when they did a very good production of "Teahouse of the August Moon" did not find out that the long banners they had made were not really Japanese words for "Tea House", "Moon", or "August". No. They were a laundry list - in Chinese. It was hushed up pretty well, and didn't cause any to-do. A GI friend of mine who was taken prisoner at Anzio and remained in German prison camps for the rest of the war tells or double-featured word switching tournament which and, probably, never been duplicated in detail. My friend, aware of the Nazi tendency to segregate captured officer and enlisted men when taking prisoners not wanted to end up in a locked cell. He thought he would "last longer" as an active, working, laborer type. To accomplish that goal he ripped newly stitched corporal stripes from the arms of his uniform and smearing mud on the areas. He knew his dog tags still read:"Pvt." His plan worked and Frankie, from that time on, did what I call his "share cropping for the Reich". They were marched back up through Italy, their freight cars bombed by American planes gave them freedom for a short time but they were recaptured by their German "tour guides" and marched up through Italy, through central Europe and into Germany proper where they were put to work on a potato farm. The word thing? No, I've not forgotten ... let's see. Yes, one more detail: There happened to be a detached of Russian female prisoners the same farm site. They became casually acquainted and the GI's thought it would be fun to mis-teach the Russian women the rawest elements of our language first. They did and only later found the Russian females were doing the same thing in reverse! CODA: Something of value ought to evolve from a piece such as this. Over the years, I have often thought that in those eras of so-called "cultural" or "Arts" exchanges we have with foreign nations from time-to-time we have not always sent our "best". We have not used this exchange opportunity wisely. We should send our very best. We "translate" true American values ineptly. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-30-06 [c576wds]
Saturday, July 29, 2006
NEGATIVE BIO I looked up a biography of a writer recently and, in return, I got a printed bio written by someone who, it seems, got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning! The bio writer listed just about everything negative concerning the subject other than a simple statement of his name and a mention of his latest literary achievement of about one year ago. I'm going to list those "no-no" items, given just to see how soon you can guess who the subject might have been. When I got into the article I began to wonder if I really wanted to know any more about the subject or not. How can anything worthwhile, I wondered, come from a background of such weird circumstances? This man was born in Hackney, London-town, England in 1930. That gives you his age so you can fit him into a certain level of literary time, if you like. He was the only son of immigrant Jews who ran a small tailoring shop in Stoke Newington. When the bombing of London began during World War II, his parents packed the boy off to a haven of supposed safety haven from the blitz nights then the shower of rockets. It is recorded that during that period he lived in "a deserted castle" in Cornwall with twenty-seven other boys deposited there by their parents for the duration of said war. It is said he returned from his stay in Cornwall "with a passion for the works of Franz Kafka and Ernest Hemingway." He found what seemed to be his niche in acting. He appeared in several school productions at Hackney Grammar School. He accepted a grant to study at London's " Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts" but he dropped out of that prestigious college. Upon doing so he found himself in Court in 1949 for refusing to complete his National Service obligations declaring himself to be a constitutions objector. He was fined, but wasn't required to serve any confinement time. n 1950 he published his first poems. You may have guessed his identity by this time. I had not. His first play "The Room" was published in 1957. His first full-length play "The Birthday Party" was a West End production the next year! Now, you've tagged him! Harold Pinter, poet, playwright, actor, director - and perpetual critic, it sees to me , of every thing and every one. Reviews for the play were dismal. It closed after one week, but nothing seemed to deter Harold Pinter, who then wrote his second full-length drama - "The Caretaker". It made the grade for him in 1960. Prime Minister John Major offered him a Knighthood, but Pinter turned him down. I do not know what words Pinter used to refuse such an honor, but the records clearly show that he has called the present PM - Tony Blair - among other things - "a deluded idiot". He calls our President George W. Bush "a mass murderer." No one seems to like Harold Pinter except the Swedish Academy which awarded him a Noble prize valued at 1.28 million dollars for being "the towering figure" of English drama. Bad luck continues to haunt this caustic man of letters. In 2002 he was found to have cancer of the esophagus. I was reading some of his recent retorts, comments, Kafka-like connectives, Hemingway he-man shadows and other clutter he stays snagged upon. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-29-06 [c586wds]
Friday, July 28, 2006
NEW NAME The term "coalition" is again in use this morning and it seems to be anticipated as the key word to be used in the immediate future when we speak of troop placements in the mid-east war areas. It is a welcome addition, for the simple term - a multi-national coalition - "shares the blame". That, I'm sure, it may strike many people as a rather crude way to look at it, but it quite important that we maintain a level of confidence in our involvement in such "foreign" affairs. It is far better for nations - other viewpoints to be evident in any such attempt o alter the status quo among nations and peoples In truth, the incursions of the recent past may well have involved troops of our own in excess of the precise numbers of other national troops in the action, it is still, in intent, a group action. It is good for us to keep it that way. It was not an easy thing for President George W. Bush to build a community of nations oppose Saddam Huessen's evil regime and had weaknesses which allowed it to fall apart under stress. It will be even more difficult to form such an alliance at the present stage when much more evidence of deadly costs involved are apparent. Some leading voices said this morning that "this will be a long war! " The difficulty in forming a visible and viable union of allied powers will add that delay tendency but not, of necessity to the length of the actual conflict. Public opinion is going to play a role in what takes place in Lebanon and other smitten locales. These elements seem to be stronger and potentially more influential than on prior occasions. Television coverage has been detailed largely because of new events to cover. Repeated showings of severe condition have resulted in stronger public awareness of some of the worst aspects of modern warfare. The building of an alliance concept will take time and diplomatic skill. Care should be taken to look and listen for voices on either or both sides called for "Holy War". That is a step... a name be avoided at all costs! Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-28-06 [c381wds]
Thursday, July 27, 2006
'TAINT FUNNY, McJENNINGS Nothing can get any flatter than a supposed joke being told by a person who cannot tell a joke well to a person who doesn't get it anyway! Such a situation seems to have developed just this past week when the well-known quiz contestant Ken Jennings was seized with an idea to do something unusual - to be different from his usually staid self. He decided, it seems, upon brightening up his Web Page - which I did not even know he had going - by doing some copy reminiscent of the old "Saturday Nite Live" TV days which heaped ridicule and scorn on an unsuspecting personality - "just for fun", to see what wild things the victim might say or do. Don Rickels did it in his face-to-face act years ago and got away with for a time. Jennings upped his Utah humor enough to accuse Trebek of being a robot who thought changing the predominently backdrop color on the show "Jeopardy" every presidential election year was "change" enough. He is said to have called called Alex Treblinka a "robot" but insists he meant a "cyborg" even though was the only one a "cy-whatever" might be. (Note: its "a portmanteau of cybernetic organisms mixed with mechanical (synthetic) parts. (I looked it up!) Why would Jennings stoop to use this incident as a reference: "Nobody knows he (Trebek) died in that fiery truck crash a few years back and was immediately replaced with the Trenton's 4000. (I see your engineers still can't get the mustache right.)" Jennings also scorned the show for its "effete, left-coast" categories and the "same old "format". Recent dictionary editions still say "effete" sets forth the idea of prissiness and undo restraint." The term "left coast", however, now refers to wild, radical, off-beat political and social ideals. Ken also expresses strong dislike for "the same old format." I have no idea that Trebek's pick-up truck fender-bender (bad though it may well have been) experienced on his way home to his ranch, was "fiery" at all. The format which Jennings dislikes so much now did very well for him during his seventy-four game streak making him a millionaire. It just may be that Jennings would prefer it be loosened up a bit to suit his apparent liking - perhaps something akin to the "Jerry Springer" Show - now seeking funds enabling them to bring their stage musical "Jerry Springer: The Opera" from London to Broadway. Check it out K. J.. There's a format for you! It may be a good investment opportunity for you, too. It has certain cyborgish feel about it, you will like. Let's stay with straight copy, Ken. No more of this "brighten my corner" humor stuff... which is what I'm calling it all. I can't believe you could be serious. Relax "Jeopardy" viewers. This, too, shall pass. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-27-06 [c494wds]
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
SAY SO!We seem to be in one of those times during which the right people feel it best not to say the right things. There is wisdom in retreat. If it occurs as an introductory motion preceding the forward thrust of a mailed-fist serving, perhaps, as a deliberated effort to conceal or disguise the impending severe blow it can then be worthwhile. It might be seen as a lie, on a way to becoming, a deception by a victim rather a subtle instance of technique refined to a point of becoming an essence. The coming of Truth , in its realization, relies, at times, on the weakness of those things which are not true, not factual and eternally fallible. Those persons charged with bringing about a time of peace in war-ravaged nation are facing danger even in merely attempting such a task. There are entire layers of lying, cheating, stealing and misjudgments of the worst kinds which must be penetrated and done away with Truth. It is no easy task. If ever, in the history of mankind, a single soul has been asked to stand forth as a champion symbolizing Truth it would certainly seem that this mighty mite of woman named Condoleezza Rice is a choice made long ago. She has been prepared for the this moment in history by training, experience, difficulties, doubts, fears, political, racial and other threats and built a self associated with a precise respect for the Truth. One hears such distinctive praise for this woman of our times and it is fully justified in my way of thinking - earned, deserved...what you may call "good" in my ("warped?") way of thinking. We are on the edge of naming another Joan-of-Arc who will, in effect, if some enthusiasts have their way, take over our problems and be the only one who knew what had to be done. That is what so many - far too many - people are going to expect and insist upon. That is an unfair premise. Joan of Arc characters are rare and not currently available on common markets - NATO, ECCO or other such tagged divisions. We should see Condoleezza Rice as already being deeply involved in a Joan-of-Arc situation. She ventures into the fray as our spokesperson. The historic Joan of Arc in her own time of emergency stood as an example for others to follow. Her admirers rob her of her individuality to make her fit their dreams. Let's be very careful that we, in our enthusiasm, for the coming weeks, do not infringe upon her right to be her own person. The Joan of history lives in hearts and in minds of millions because she pointed the way. She did it dramatically in her case and her actions have been enlarged and decorated to suit the romantic tastes of those who lived since that time. We are blessed with the physical presence of this remarkable young woman Dr. Condoleezza Rice among us in a time of need. She is showing leadership of quality. Let's not spoil the potential heritage of goodness she seems to be building for us, by foisting upon her the weighty mantel of a fictionalized, Disney-rated "Joan." Package instructions: "Handle With Care." Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-26-06 [c553wds]
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
TODAY The present moment - the exact seconds of time we are living right now - are of vital concern to all of us. I think we, basically, agree with that statement, but a great many of us in our excess of leisure time and of comforts of life, ten d to expand that time restriction to include event which will, take place within the next few minutes. At this moment in Sherman Oaks, California, a small, flash forest fire is raging. It is very small. Just an acre or two, at the moment but it is making its way across a heavily encrusted "open " space between heavy forest growth. It seems headed for expensive homes which is the main reason we are considering it at all. It was unknown this morning. No one reported any such fire danger, most of us hadn't thought of Sherman Oaks, California for, well - years,but ,suddenly, it is a part of our "now" Our present moment is, suddenly, filled with dire threats of potential loss for other people. It is all happening far, far away, too. TV cameras and the comfortable helicopter we are soaring above it all make it a real part of our present moments. Their concerns are ours, as those thousand of people displaced by war in Lebanon, Israel, other mid-east and African nations where "at-war" attitudes rule entire nations of suffering people seemingly with any help of any change for the better. My real reason for mentioning all of this composite, world-wide evil brought so very close to our daily lives affect us on the ways we must deal with them. These are major problems we face. The are new in proportions, in being physically closer, involving such strange variations of social, economic, and religious backgrounds. I also have a disturbing feeling that keeps telling me that our greatest trials will be in the religious differences. We are all in dire need of leadership bringing about serious transformation of the manner in which we control our religious beliefs and actions. Even if you merely glance at the complexity of the day's news, you can see it is far more involved and confused than ever before and so very much closer to the average one of us. We see it happening. We find affecting us more and more as individuals - even to the extent of loosing loved ones. Do we watch too much news? Do we have proper respect for authority? Is "today"more than we can handle? Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-25-06 [c432wds]
Monday, July 24, 2006
SHATTERED WALLS The sight of shattered walls and tumbled trash from homes scattered over the landscape in bombed and blasted Beruit, Lebanon, reminds me of days in the past which I had hoped could remain memories in our time. I look at these current scenes of destruction and say to myself: "Haven't we learned anything in the past half century!" Why does all of this misery and deprivation have to happen over and over again and again? I remember spending a night in a bombed out shell of a former hotel in London. It was far from being elegant. I has a typical bed, as I remember, two straight chairs, a two drawer chest and a stack of what happened to be used lumber salvaged from somewhere - anywhere in the city. It was in an area known at one time as "Kensington Palace Mansions" and being used by the American Red Cross as a hostel area. The two sides of the corner room had been and roughed-in with rough second-hand lumber. I had outer shell only. No sign of a "wall" was there, but I knew that would follow in due time. I slept well that night in a primitive-mod setting. There was a working W.C. just down the corridor. I remember lying there in the darkness thinking of how the English people had responded the the crushing disaster which had come upon them. By that time I had come to know enough English men, women and children to have close feeling for them and the suffering they had to endure. We see little of people in these photographs from Beruit. We assume that, since much of what we are shown is "downtown" in business establishment structures with humans less obvious than residential areas might reveal. We like to feel that any humans trapped in such an area "made it out" in some way. Some did. Some did not. Those who escaped took with them memories they would rather not have today, I'm sure. I have no memory of hearing people complain about their lot. I try to think about that when things go a bit awry in our present day mode of living. The troubles we experience are almost petty compared to that which is a routine occurrence among people trapped in the desolation of any war-torn area. It's a small part of it all, I know. This being concerned about what is to become of the people involved. One is forced, at such times, to wonder it we are progressing as speedily as we like to think we are. I can doubt that we are - very easily. I can cushion the thought somewhat by inserting "in some ways". Hope endures. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-23-06 [c469wds]
Sunday, July 23, 2006
ADDITIONS You are watching " Google" a great deal more today that you did short time ago, even if you don't have a computer. You may not have been aware of the change, but often, now, when you see an aerial TV shot of a city or of a specific building or geographical feature there will be a small credit line in the upper right corner of the TV screen telling you " Google - Earth" has brought you that dramatic bit of visual information. The change has been b brought about about by Tangle's rather recent gift to armchair travelers such as myself. You can see fly over any area of this old planet which has ever been been subject to the prying lens-eyes of photographers on the wing. The TV newsrooms are now doing what you can do at home at your PC keyboard. Install "Google-Earth"';ask for any location you might wish to see and you can be on your way to that spot right away. You fly there and see your goal ahead of you and then fly over it at whatever altitude you select. You can go higher to take in a wider range or you can zoom in and skim toward rooftops to take closer look a specific building features, or activities on the streets below You can slant the view you get to see the sides of buildings, walls or towers. You can go around the subject in a circle other right or to the left. You can you can stop and stare if you like, too. Controls are simple. If I can do it - you can! To this moment the TV news show are using the aerial shots mainly as an introductory phase of a particular news item about a place. The film would not, of course, picture destruction and death now taking place on some of those very streets in so many of the towns and cities. You will want to add "Google Earth" to our computer. We have found it to be a wonderful addition to our family enjoyment are re-visiting places we saw - places we lived many years ago and seeing some others we never got to visit in person. There are a number of prepared "Tours" available, too, so waste not another day - get "Google -Earth" and go! Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-23-06 [c403wds]
Saturday, July 22, 2006
EASE OFF A BIT I wonder today, if we are being a bit too hard on ourselves these days. To continue to find fault; to continue to overlook any improvement whatsoever is a sure way for an individuals and nations to commit suicide. Just this week when President George W. Bush made his first used his veto power to knock down proposed legislation which would have permitted government funds to back new Stem Cell research. I have my own, personal feelings on the subject but I was a bit miffed with those persons who show their superficial, veneered-on layer of information - both true and not so accurate statements which often show a lack of knowledge. This, in turn, then illustrates how shallow their awareness must be concerning plans for innovative research in is specialized, medically-oriented field of work which has yet to be done. We should respect is element of decision in leadership problems. Bush stayed with his previously stated views on this matter. He said he would; and he did. It is one of the most critical points under current consideration by religious voting segments of our nation who are also part of that national unity we mentioned earlier. Certainly, we have ample evidence about us to sow how polarizations of religious groups and entire nations and structures. The loss in his veto incident is not all that important, yes...but not hopelessly damaged. Stay with what , or change if you it best to do so. You will have your chance again and I will have mine. This is just one way in which we tend to downgrade our effectiveness as governmental entirety. We are inundated with negative views from people who admit "they don't know what to do" but will not stop being critical of the actions of those trying to bring about desired advantages. The steady erosion of public confidence in our government is a major concern we face today as a nation. And strengthening it begins with us - with each of us in our daily routine of living normal lives in abnormal times. These next few years are not going to be easy for any of us. Indications are more-and-more, that we are living at a time of great change. Let's be careful not to be overwhelmed by unusual events, mindless reactions to strange circumstances and violent variations of a world-wide nature. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-22-06 [c416wds]
Friday, July 21, 2006
GYPSY TRADITIONS We used to hear a great deal about the gypsy sub-cultures which formed a visible part of national society. In various section of the nation we fully expected to see gypsy campgrounds spring overnight along the edge of our highways usually where there was a creek or a pond available. Only after used car and truck lots came into existence did we see any motorized vehicles there. Everything was horse or people drawn They gypsy families had a pattern to their wanderings. They would, when asked, leave the impression that they were going North seeking work. In the Fall, when they passed through headed more-or-less toward the South they would say they were seeking warmer summer time quarters and harvesting work doing orchard and farm jobs. Very often local residents has a different view about their reason for being in our area. At farm houses the word passed along to all local residents, young and old alike, went somethings like: "Lock everything! These gypsy folks figger to rob us blind! That's the way they live; stealing other people's things!" It was generally expected that any item missed during the next six months: "Mus'tv been took by them gypsy swine!" Some folk (young ones in particular didn't heed the housewarmings. We used to sneak off a night and work our way as close as we could to the camp to listen to their music - some fine fiddle, zither, auto harp, guitar and the steady "t-r-r-w-ang--g-gr"of the Jew's Harp the only time I ever heard one played right. There were some "far out" gypsy groups, too. You noticed them more, I think, after horse and wagon rigs changed to beat-up trucks and stripped cars. One such group I'm lad I never met up with, was called "The Irish Traders". Members came from all over the country. The met on only in the Atlanta, GA and Nashville, TN areas. They met for just two occasions - death and marriage. The clan, in the 1930's listed eight Irish families. If a member died , the body was shipped to one of the two sites and held in a local morgue until the set meeting date. Tradition forbids burials at any other times. All young girls are expected to marry within the clan, and this fact suggests why "The Irish Traders" no longer chug along the roads to Atlanta and Nashville. When a wedding or funeral is concluded, all of the eight families "must depart in different directions". They are all in the same line of work back home: motorized nomads dealing in horses and mules. That is my Number Two reason or saying at "Irish Traders" gypsy clan is unlikely to be on the roads today, but to be completely honest with you, I'm just a little bit hesitant about putting it in URL form for the computer. Suppose one of Eight Irish families takes exception to my remarks? I assume I might get a choice of either Nashville or Atlanta? Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-21-06 [c521wds]
Thursday, July 20, 2006
CEASE FIRE! Do you find the events now taking place in the mid-east far too complicated for even a cursory understanding of what might be amiss there to allow such conditions to continue day by day. You are, to be sure, not the only persons who feel inadequate - to put it mildly - even ignorant when asked to explain any facet of it all. It strikes that the rotten apple in the badly tumbled barrel as these frenzied "Hezbollah" militia". I hate to classify these terrorist persons as being any type of military personnel - soldiers in the historic sense of the words. I regret some leader or our element saying today that "Israel should stop bombing..." It would be even more valid and more "honest" to tell the Ayatollah militia to "stop firing their thirteen thousand rockets". It was "fifteen" earlier, I believe, and enough to make them think that will accomplish whatever they had in mind trying to do. They will pop away until last one is gone hoping the last few will do the trick for them. Both sides need to cease firing, not just Israel. Too often the demand is for Israel to do so now -right way away - turn off everything and wait around to see if Hezbollah hothead does the same! At that point, neither side has accomplished anything. It it, I think, quite obvious that destruction in Lebanon has been unusually heavy. We have no facts telling which sites have been militia controlled at the time they were bombarded. Certainly no one could doubt the stated intent of the Israeli forces to do a much damage as possible to enemy occupied sites. Such damage can only be expected to increase as Israeli forces advanced into Lebanon proper. They have already crossed the border the mode of small, infiltering groups for better artillery positions., but if the Hezbollah feel they must continue until their very last left-over rocket has been launched to complete the massive cloud of terror which supposed the develop in all lands to the west. A "You, first!" cease fire? No, thank you. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-20-06 [c365wds]
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
THE THREESOME WORRY Older newspaper reporters used to affirm that trouble, moires of cares, concerns and worry occurred in the news always in sets of three. We've had all three today, it appears. During the night Israel continued to return cannon fire in reply to repeated Hezbollah rocket attacks in Haifa and other areas. Israeli troops crossed over the border to zero in closer on rocket firing sites inside Lebanon. That could only be heard as proof that the war is being extended - strange warfare, too, between an existing nation and a terrorist group well armed, well financed, supplied by nearby nations. My big worry asks what has become of the true government of Lebanon? It is being said that it sill "exists", but we shall have to accept someone's word for that, I suppose because our chief concern ought to be wondering how a national government can fall into dis-use so fast How stable is our own? The second bad news item in July 19, 2006 papers had little or nothing to do with the war. .It concerned a sea adventure in a unusual manner. The unusual circumstance happened to a large, ocean-going cruise ship - one of the newer "High Rise" models which seem to be getting taller with each one the shipyards turn out. Drafting table artists point the way to more assured profits by penciling in another deck of the new ship being gussied-up in the nearby dry dock.. This particular cruise ship moving along Amphibian waters came in contact "with a severe underwater current " 'we are told which caused it list suddenly at a thirty-degree angle. Try putting your feet in line toe-to-heel and the suddenly lean at about one third of the way. Unless you shifted base with feet quickly, you can get up off the floor and tell me about it. Only one woman passenger was injuries, we are told, but the ship took on enough water from lower ports and other openings to merit a prompt return to its home port. All of this suggests we might find it wise to be a bit more careful just whom we allow to design those whom we allow to design the ships in which we are sail. Now, back to third sad story of the day. We woke up to be told we have twenty-five thousand American citizens "stranded" in Lebanon (a figure which came down somewhat during various tellings during the day) who have, it appears, made little or no efforts of their own to leave because they seem to feel it is the duty of the U.S. State Department to ferry them all home. I was disturbed to find that many remaining. I was even more disturbed by the foul mood so many of them are in seemingly expectant without slowing any appreciation. Not all, mind you, but too many. State has leased a Greek cruise ship (a smaller, older model) to take some to Cyprus resort hotel living for a while. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-19-06 [c520wds]
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
GETTING IT DONE
These days, it is good to hear of a missionary project being undertaken by a church affiliated group which seems to be working to the advantage of some needy people. Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church, Fort Defiance, Virginia - one of ten churches so committed, mind you, that has been engaged in such a project annually. Each of those ten churches joins with the others in sending out a "Baja Mission" work team. . This year - this very month through July 29th - those two teams will be building sturdy, practical homes for Baja California natives to call their very own. The larger team of sixty-one members this year, will complete four, double houses according to native plans and actual needs. The smaller team will build two such homes and all of the members will be , in some way, associated with another project on-going which provides pure, safe, dependable water to the homes in the growing community of well-placed homes. Such teams installed that water system in 2004. A total of three hundred people have gone to this Baja Mission point, "The Stone Tablet", the bi-weekly newsletter of the old church stemming from around 1740 when it, too, was something of a mission point to the settlers moving into the western wilderness from coastal cities and town as well as a steady flow of European immigrants. Several other projects have also been initated and accomplished in the needy Oaxacan Indian tribal area. The work teams are of all ages with an emphasis upon youth forming a group of members who have, I think, responded well to the work ethic involved and who have revived the old concept which caused individual works of church teams recognized and supported once again. The general missionary work, so much a part of the protestant church in the past has decreased largely due to loss of membership and, hence, lower gifts in well-know denominations and a general malaise in giving in living, physical commitment of members to those in need both near and afar. I have a feeling that much of the loss of interest in church social work among many churches has gone hand-in-pockets with their inability to associate personally through a lack of physical participation. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-18-06 [c-402wds]
Monday, July 17, 2006
ONE MORE TIME It has no been very long since most of us might have met with people who had lost their house and all if their possessions to flood conditions. For many weeks that seemed to be the basic element in all news stories from the southern edge of our nation and it puzzles us why so many of such victims are engaged in building new homes on the same flood-prone sites. What thinking person would do such a thing? If you had a chance to ask one of them, you had best be ready to hear some prepared recitations of statements which might win you over. They are not convinced at all of their troubles were due to anything more than occasional liberation's of some finicky weather conditions. They can converse about "hundred year floods"..."five-hundred.." and they can inject some interesting questions such : "Tell me about the second, big Chicago fire; they only had one - right,?" "Frisco's earthquake! When was there another one?" Others have there unshakable faith in knowing exactly and they don't seem to worry about libel or slander laws when they "lay it on "em" - to whom they hold as being the cause of the New Orleans flood and on the rest by association. The usual culprits are the military engineers who didn't know how to build a good dike much less care for and maintain a passel of them, or the political party persons who played petty games with funds from Uncle Samuel. Never before in all of our mixed history have we ever had so many incompetent people in charge of so many non-existent positions which the flood waters proved it would have been nice to have had in place. Someone, for instance, who could look at that big domed arena structure and have realized one cannot jam endless numbers of human beings - "people" i.e. - into such a "big" then "little" space, without sufficient food, water, medical care of the most primitive level of basic sanitation - and small servings of compassion would have been welcomed. Many of those of those dome-dungeoned people could have been bussed out of town earlier in buses parked and unused. The way I hear so much of it now: "Things have changed. If I want to build my house on property I own, it's far more of my business than any of yours." Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-17-06 [c412wds]
Sunday, July 16, 2006
SECONDARY GOVERNMENTS Why is it, I wonder that so many of today's governments seem to have second one which actually rules the nation - especially in times of crisis? In some cases, both seem to rule; one may elect to stand back and let the the other take any blame for a botched or poorly conducted campaign. Far too often the news reports we get actually two-fold versions of what such composite governments in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, et al claim to be fact and also the way which secondary authority sees the situation. To which one are we attend? Which is valid? Which one is to be and considered to be the authentic government? Who's opinion and who's requests do we honor? What terrible risks we take when we support one or the other? We all need to think seriously about this complicated set-up. It is a makeshift arrangement at best - based on force, armaments, a selfish bully-ism found so often in association with abject ignorance and continued refusals to accept political and social realities. Hezbollah, "a radical Shiite militia" stems from about 1975 - perhaps thirty or forty years ago when you may remember them as one of the groups fighting to regain Lebanon's freedom from domination by Israel. The vast majority of the Lebanese people came under control of a military dictatorship which has never expelled militant Hezbollah sub-government from power gained during that freedom war. They have simply tolerated such a malignant presence in their midst to maintain their own portion of power. The Hezbollah is a militant, radical, partly-uniformed militia and solidly Shiite - operating aggressively and successfully in a land where the people are predominantly Sunni in religious choice. Even while seeming to stand for local claims seeking unity and Lebanese claims they are allied with international terrorist by the very nature of their being what they have always been. How much longer will the international mind permit this, and other like travesties, to continue? Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-16-06 [c351wds]
Saturday, July 15, 2006
YE BEASTIESIt is only recently that I attained to that level of knowledge which now permits me to be able fully understand what it means to have a pet cat in the home rather than a pet dog. They are as different from each other as are night from day; prosperity from debtors prison, even up from down. I have no reason whatsoever to disparage one or the other. We had a collie named "Dolly" in our family for years,. She became a member of our family on the very night – May 20, 1927 – that Charles Augustus Lindberg - the Lone Eagle - flew the Atlantic Ocean all by himself from New York to Paris... Roosevelt to Le Bourget. My father brought the puppy home in a shoe box on the 9:30 N&W train. He also was the one to tell us that Lindy had landed in France. We would not have known about it until the next day, because we did not have a radio until 1929. So having grown-up with a collie named "Dolly” we, somehow, never seemed to consider kittens or cat as being indoor pets and cats . They were mouse-catchers and had secret passageways from outside and the back porch to our basement. That concept reversed when I aged a bit and daughter Barbara came to live with us and look after us. Her cat "Angel” came along. We had been without a dog for some years and the cat filled a big need with us. She is a personality all her very own as she chooses to be at any given time. Her moods are many and somewhat complex, as well. She can be overtly friendly if her mood is tuned to that particular frequency , yet at another time - even while pretending to be the same cat – she can be a stand-offish as blank wall and sit there looking right through you – as you make useless suggestions. Some nights she will open our bedroom door – left ajar for her convenience’ feel the bounce she jumps up on the foot end of the bed. Usually she inspects each of us; then settles down along the lower end of bed like a yard-long bolster of white and gray fur with neatly arranged patches of black. She is, I am sure, an exceptional animal in many ways, I am sure. She listen to all and retains her rights to do as she pleases. To her credit, she does learn. She respects author thy, too and a firm "No!" is usually enough to curb her natural response. She reacts instantly to strange noises both internal and external...as a good watch cat should. She as great patience and I feel I have learned a lot to this point. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-15-06 [c474wds]
Friday, July 14, 2006
FOREWARNED It so happens that I still have and use my original Social Security Identification card. This small piece of lightweight red, white and blue imprinted cardboard was issued to me in whatever FD R year it was that "SS" became operative throughout the land. It has been in my wallet all those years; a wallet which has been replaced a number of times.. It is only recently that I have been oft reminded about what a card that small piece of pasteboard material really is. I am now being warned daily - hourly , perhaps, that overbearing, conniving criminals crouch behind each and every computer within awareness of the term NASA ; lurking there next to every 09-chewing monster mechanism, desktop, laptop (if you have that much lap left), hand-held and a newer mini-modes so small they have been found yet! These crooks are organized to lay their filthy manicured fingers on my fabulous family fortune! And, I am told they will spare no horror will even outdo anything night time cable-TV can offer in the ways of torture and misery to get that which they want so desperately which we are said to have. We have been warned since ID-Fright became fashionable to cease and desist from printing our Social Security Identification Number on every check we write along with interesting phone numbers, Fax, cell phones, E-mail addresses, and Skype ID. The same facts are handy on business cards if you have them, library cards, swimming pool passes, car wash appointment and all applications for anything. We've been doing many of those for years, We are now urged to stop. I met a salesman just this week who told me, with pride, he had hidden: his Social Security number-"years ago" - including successfully getting his state to refrain using it on his Driver's License. He does not carry a Social Security card in his wallet. The card is kept in a Safety Deposit Box at his bank. The whole affair calls for the use of common sense. Too many of these sad stories about who was taken for what are merely re-runs of he same old tabloid treatments of our constant criminal scene. The real difficulties lie ahead of us. We are working toward a social and political system in which every man or woman will be, essentially, a "number" with everything tied to that designation. That will be a time when numbers will spell new kinds of trouble. Imagine a time when the Odd Numbers secede from associations with all Even Numbered folks. 'Tis then, we will will discover what numbering problems really mean. Andre w McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-14-06 [c455wds]
Thursday, July 13, 2006
I N THE MIDDLE It seems to rather unfair that Lebanon always seems to be immediately in the area located between whomever is engaged in slinging rockets or missiles or suicide packages of people to bomb smithereens out of anything, every one and everything on which they happen to land. Not that Lebanon is, in any sense, blameless we don't know and shouldn't say so if we did. There seems to be some hesitancy about just how a "modern war" ought to be conducted. The first step is usually one which has been tried and which in all probability fail again this time as well. Much of such negative talk is countermanded by sharp statements concerning today's leaders. Then, when the project is over and done with, reports of it's "success" offer comparisons of how well his new shot did as compared and contrasted with those in the past. The actual landfall was perhaps thirty-feet closer to the target, instance with emphasis on what is planned rather than anything which may have been accomplished. The good people of Beruit, and other Lebanese cities and towns, must wonder just what other civic sites are to be sacrificed in this primitive manner. We realize that Lebanon plays a critical role in the mixed-up troubles which continue endlessly in is "mid-east" part of the world. We have been severely handicapped in dealing with events in the area in that some are not clearly identified as people of specific nations. They are so, often, lumped together with others sharing similar cultural, linguistic, religious and musical tastes as well as a few cantankerous qualities they argue about amongst themselves. We Americans have some odd feelings about the area. Mention the existence of "The American University of Beruit", in Lebanon and most Americans seem downright friendly. The feeling does not last, and we don't have Yasher Arafat around to blame. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-13-06 [c329wds]
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
ENMITY One would certainly think Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln would qualify as the most dedicated enemies of all time in American history. Years ago, when American history was among the subjects taught in our schools, we studied the speeches of each of them made before, during and after a celebrated series of formal debates in which th two, avowed antagonists engaged. Abraham Lincoln seemed to have been ordained to lead the United States during the days of our Civil War when the nation divided, yet he was born in Kentucky - well below the Mason-Dixon Line which determined who was from the South from those who were northern born and bred. He was to lead that segment of the nation which opposed human slavery in Kentucky and anywhere else in the southern states. There were other points of disagreement, of course, between Lincoln and his constant opponent in just about everything he tried. Stephen A. Douglas, the other side of the constantly arguing twosome was , in his time a widely know and highly respected champion of States' Rights legislation favoring the slavery of humans and of slavery privileges claimed to be legal by many political powers in the southern area Each of the two men undertook the study of the Law and Fate would have it that they both ended up in the State of Illinois at the same time. Tall, lanky, home-bodied Abraham Lincoln the log-splitting rough neck from Kentucky became an active force in Illinois's political life. In 1845 Stephen A. Douglas was elected as U. S. Senator. Within those intervening years, another question was solved for the two men - one of a non-political, romantic nature. Both men dated and courted the same young lady. We may look at the event in a different light today, but Mary Todd, courted by U.S. Senator Stephen Douglas, refused and accepted Abraham Lincoln in marriage in 1842. The, in 1858 when Douglas was seeking re-election as Senator, Abraham Lincoln was chosen by his political party to oppose him. Lincoln was a defeated. But, largely as a result of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Lincoln built an impressive following among the populace and he, running against Douglas, was elected in 1860 - as President of the United States. Lincoln, removed his hat while being sworn in as Chief Executive of the nation and pictures of that historic event show a short man standing to one side of the hat of his new president firmly in hand ... Stephen A. Douglas. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-12-06 [c433wds]
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
MULTI-MENTIONS This is one of those rare days in which I seem to think I would be more at ease in talking with you about numerous things rather than centering in one subject as the topic for a day. We need such times because a great many small but important things happen but fail to get recorded as part of the family's history. I need such a writing day from time-to-time to help lower the size of stack of small notes which gather at the far end of my desk. Our family doctor, for example, was in his early days a medical missionary and shortwave radio operate in Africa. On July 8th, he returned from a months stay in his old missionary post in Tanzania. I would like to sit down and talk with him several hours concerning his experiences there - then and now. It is so easy, you see,for us to overlook much that happens to us or around us. His name is Dr. Victor Buckwalter. He is to be found at the Carillion Family Health Center, in Weyers Cave. The game called soccer has made notable inroads on middle class Americans replaced, to some extent, baseball and softball teams and leagues. The term "Soccer Mom" is an established term in American sports-slanguage listings. The game has no chance what so ever of replacing anything major in the sports world. I watched most of the championship game, but I left out of sheer boredom and the use of fouls to gain advantage. I left with a feeling that which had become dirty might become nasty and I did not want to be part of it. I have long favored soccer for the deep-down and not always admitted reason that I felt I could understand it. I've learned about myself during the past few days. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-11-06 [c328wds]
Monday, July 10, 2006
PIANO PROGRESS Our first family piano was ordered by mail from the maker. It was - and I have to guess at the spelling - made by a firm named Zellerbach & Mueller in the Pittsburgh or eastern Ohio area. My mother ordered it largely, I think, because she had practiced on one as a child. She equated the unit with anything made by Steinway and Baldwin, the keyboard headliners of that day. We loved it and used it all the way. It served our somewhat unusual needs very well. It's arrival was a real day of celebration and, in particular, I remember because the piano was shipped by railway freight and arrived at our house on 2nd Street, in Central Radford, Va. by means of railway freight. It was unloaded from a freight car to a high-wheeled, horse drawn wagon. The piano was encased in a sturdy, thick boarded box to protect it from all hazards of rail transport. That box served our needs for a playhouse for many years. The two large men shifted the box from the wagon bed to our front porch and used tools they had to opened the big box so they could place the piano in our living room. We found out why when the larger of the two draymen seated himself at the piano and dealt out a series of bar-room ballads interlaced with favorite hymns. He was the first of many people who played piano with joy and obvious gusto. His partner had to remind him that they had work to do at the freight office making more deliveries. He was he first of many, many people who enjoyed playing that particular piano. Our entire family played that piano - some more - some less. My older brother Al took lessons with Medford at Radford College where we both played in a college orchestra for a time. His piano training served both of us well in our orchestra experiences that followed down through the years. So many families used to center much of their Living around the family piano and ours certainly did more than its fair share We were forever having groups in and the piano was usually the center of things. I remember particularly one young man who was to become a concert piano person tag the state level. For a time, he used our house as one of his practice locations. Three hours in one location can drive neighbors to distraction, to say the least. Other pianos I have known Number 2 - a small Wurlitzer spinet Irma and I bought. Irma willed her violin to son David and the piano to son Andy. Since Andy Jr. and Terry already had a piano, we held on to it and when grand daughter Annette wanted one in her Washington, D.C. apartment it moved there as Andy Jrs. and Terry's gift. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-11-06 [c490wds] c
Sunday, July 09, 2006
CROP CHANGE There are certain things you hope will some day "come true"..."exist".."come to be." I'm talking about "real" things, too - not about fanciful dream things such as eager, not-to-young men putting the finishing touches on the reality of World War II read about how we , by this time - actually a decade or two ago, now - would all be riding around our own little "air car" all of us were to have by that time. Other such encouraging ideas were held in front of us who were "getting out" - as in out of a prison of some sort and wondering what changes the rather vague times ahead held for us. Most of us came out in a better mood than you might be thinking. Blessed with that strange American gift called "a fine sense of humor" I must have been among those returning who are said to have asked: "Where do I go to get my ten thousand dollar bonus and may new air car helicopter?" Let me illustrate that same type of inconsistent thing that happens in our lives - often without our even being aware of such changes taking place. I am a mere four or five years behind time this one, too. Until yesterday I did not realize that the Commonwealth of Virginia - my native state and chosen dwelling place - no longer lists tobacco as its main agricultural crop! That's the sort of news that would set ole Walter Raleigh and other early Virginians a-twirling in their what and where-evers. I can remember hedging a bit when tobacco was being discussed. It was easy to shift the callers questions and comments on how well our State of Virginia did in producing apples, chickens, turkeys, beef cattle and soon on until the day's allotted air time was gone. It was just yesterday that I discovered on reading and item in a local paper which mentioned that soybeans - not tobacco - is the leading agricultural crop in Virginia and that it has been increasing each year. I have long been disturbed by the fact that tobacco was our leading crop in the mind of people world-wide - disturbed almost to a point of being ashamed because of the evils we know to be associated with it. I am not a rabid "agin-anything-er". I understand what all such changes hit the tobacco growers. I'm pleased we see a way out and are taking that pathway. Soybeans are doing well in the Old Dominion; corn is holding up as are other crops. Peanut production is down somewhat because of the end of a certain subsidy law in '02. Let's eat more peanut butter or do whatever is good for goobers! Let's take more pride in our agricultural accomplishment and it's forwardness and innovative ways. Let's become known as the 'BOLD' Dominion! Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 6-9-06 [c489wds]
Saturday, July 08, 2006
FOR "KEEPS" As youngsters playing a game we called "marbles", we learned quite early what it meant to play the game "just for fun" or "for keeps." One had to be especially careful that everyone understood which rules of play were to apply before actual battle was enjoined. A fine collection of many-types of marbles could be gathered together as a personal treasure over a period of time and by placing the proper words for a "bag of marbles"a times such, Christmas, birthdays, or some other gift-exchanging days plus the best method of all - that of trading individual marbles. my older brother became quite a "dealer" and actually played the game only occasionally. Marbles were made of many types of of material suitably weighted and formed, decorated such as common clay, baked, colored and fired with all manner of historical hints which gave they a vague reason for being. I am reminded of like processing of historical materials during World II when a friend of mine went to considerable expense to have imposing book end sets shipped home bearing plates letting owner know they held in hand store bombed from the British House of Parliament by Hitler's blitz bombers. I am amazed as well by the number of three and flour inch iron nails which crossed precisely at the precise points to be fused by flames of the burning Cologne Cathedral to form so many salable crucifix souvenirs. Thinking back to my brother's marble collection, I don't recall his ever claiming he had a few dabs made by Daniel Boone a few miles west of us down Kentucky way or, perhaps something Ben Franklin might have turned out between his stove and his bi-focal eyeglasses. Then, there are those creative folks up in New Hampshire who are ever-so-Keene on marbles. I maybe about time to start up the playing of marbles. I, personally, never did much collecting them and I've been wondering why, of late, so many people have been heard to say: "...too bad about ole Andy, isn't it? They tell me he's lost all his marbles." Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-8-06 [c367wds]
Friday, July 07, 2006
TWOSOME How secure do you feel? This morning, more people are probably aware of that worry because of two events in the news. One such incident, of course, is the firing of test missiles by North Korea's nutty ruler. When we realize how far off base that boy-boy-born-a-junior-dictator, following the rule was better at hiding his lack of furnishings in the upper levels of his being. When we look at past actions of that troubled regime just a few miles north of Seoul it doesn't take much of promotional push to make us wonder if Jung Jr. has every had any idea about taking over the United States or California, at least, so he can lay claim to Hollywood's stock of old movies. He is a passionate film-owner and is said to have collection of thirty-thousand or more foreign movies on file. He is apparently not aware of the fact that most of our old films are really in the stock rooms of TV stations all over the fifty states from which we watch them endlessly. Today, for the first time in many month, I have overheard people speaking about rocket types, the range of various models and potential targets as well as mention of atomic "pay loads". Some of this may stem from the recent tossing of missile junk into the Gaza, by the unsettled nature of leadership flexing missile muscles in North Korea. One Japanese newspaper, I understand, this morning published a statement claiming that the one large missile fired from North Korean was purposely aimed to hit "near Hawaii." If they back such a claim with proof a lot of people are going to be talking about "a second Pearl Harbor!" I also heard on TV that one of the rockets fired fizzled out after forty-two or forty nine seconds into flight. Wouldn't that be the very one the Japanese paper is alleged to be writing about? It fell in to the Sea of Japan somewhat short of whatever its objective may have been. I heard the report of the dud missile early this morning as a report gloating over the fact that the entire lot may have been of inferior quality and useful only as demo junk. The second item in "Twosome" from today' news is closer to home: "FBI admits finding plan to blow up Holland Tunnel!" or words to that effect where tabloided at us in stark black and white this morning. By this time millions of people around the world know more about the story than we do! I want to know why we - mere citizens ,it appears - were not told! When did all this almost happen? Who determines what we are to be let-in-on and what is to be concealed from us - for how long and who decides how much we are to be told? What else, I wonder has been...is being... and shall continue to be kept secret from us - by whom and why! Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-7-06 [c512wds]
Thursday, July 06, 2006
AGAIN? You don't have to be very old to have a memory of our having been, as a nation, through so much of this before - a time when some young up-start nation or an older one - even a truly great one in the past - is currently under the control of a personality - young, old, prime or faded - who is convinced he alone knows the right way to go to get wherever he thinks he wants to be without too much effort expended. Replace today's national leaders'; place their name and nation in the news headlines of today where such characters as Jong Jr. of North Korea where to remind you how old this entire ploy really happens to be. The modernization efforts have been do poorly done that critical defects are evident to the most casual observer. Among the questions we are asking in on somehow we are hedging and not getting too close to the real problems. We are asking others if they think the U. N. should apply sanctions, boycotts, and other political and economic barriers to thwart his threatened rocketry demonstrations. We ask the question with a straight face knowing full well that the United Nations will not, in fact -can not, be too critical of anything Jong Jr. might wish do. The haven't been concerned with the needs of other needy people around the world, so why start anything new and potentially dangerous to their own well-being? Japan and Great Britain are the only larger powers we can consider to be on our side. Japan , with real estate holdings on the edge of potentially affected area, must look at Hung Jr's plans as threatening to lob one of his missiles into Tokyo. He can re-do the railway crash script which caused Spain to withdraw support of our efforts in Iraq. Tactics of that nature are not beyond the leanings and of Jr. Jong. He is well aware of Terrorist groups since they have, for years, been active munitions and ordnance trading partners. We have an "at home" problem as well. There will be thousands of people here in the United States who will gleefully forget whatever it is they are presently against and take up with those who feel they must help Jong Jr. in whatever ways they can. Our real battle is, however, not with Jong Jr. and his movie-mind misconceptions of world affairs. Our true battle to save the hearts, minds and very souls of many Americans which are withering away in a myriad number of seen and unseen ways. We are less appreciative of what it means - and has long been - to be American. It is not true in every case, but the next time you are talking with that recent immigrant you should know by his time, ask him or her to tell you what it means. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-6-06 [c-487wds]
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
ON THIS DAY Today is July 4th on which we marked the beginning of our country as an independent power among the nations of men of planet Earth. This is an exceptional one in that it was also the day on which our Shuttle Program renewed its space flights after a three-year interim following the disintegration of the shuttle "Columbia". This afternoon our family gathered by the TV set in the dining room to watch the historic launch and each of us, I know, must have been thinking of the last moments of the "Columbia" crew and praying tat today's launch would go well. It did - and continues to do so now at four-something in the afternoon. We were quieter, I noticed, less excited than on previous occasions. Either we have become accustomed by such fantasy as it all seems to be, at times, satiated with heavy doses of scientific advancement. I had a distinct feeling that more prayer was being thought, voiced and felt during those last moments of countdown than a double-trio of special national "Prayer Days" held now and then after much preparation. It is at moments such as this when we are led to contemplate the strange situations in which we, so often, seem to find ourselves em-meshed. Just as our forefathers must have experienced new feelings of freedom when they migrated to these far off shores, so, too, have we in our movements as well. We added new dimensions of appreciation to the pliant scale of awareness in our very souls as we moved into the western wilderness to continue an element of frontier living which had been ours since those first, fearful days on the Atlantic coast. We have found our way into every crevice of this Earth and we have now placed footholds on the threshold of worlds beyond in space travel. It is not going to be easy. We have among us evil forces intent upon confusing our goals
Monday, July 03, 2006
TWO-WAY POX William Shakespeare was an expert at fashioning unusual insults. He wove such badgering gems out of the common language of his day. He used them with special needs caused him to find a way to explain subtle counterpoint ideas to the less learned pit peasantry standees as well. He took both families involved in the Romeo and Juliet thing and wished a "pox" or a "plague" on both often. He spoke of something which had immediate affect on the fine persons seated on the edge of the stage and of the less-advantaged peasantry as standees. The county officials who are the governing body of a small town in Augusta County, Virginia know locally as "The Board of Supervisors" was found to have spent $440,000 of tax-generated fund for a "survey" by a private agency which would determine if the small community could handle the founding a mega-industrial complex in it's midst. Those facts did not come to light by means of a formal announcement from the governmental body, but, rather from an inquiry by a lady from a different part of the county asking the Staunton, Virginia "News-Leader" wherein the laws concerning factual truth-telling might apply. She was concerned by the fact that such a large amount had been paid for what appeared to be a simple simple asking around to determine what he coming of such a large industrial development might affect the area. She was also concerned with the obvious fact that the Board was keeping it all as their own, little, dark secret. That triggered general widespread reactions, as you might expect it could. The Board resisted public outcry asking that the information be made public Two members of the Board itself, on two occasions, asked that the information be published, but the Board refused and stalled for the better part of a month promising clarification when the $440,000 -paid for - questionnaire form was completed. The doubtful nature of that agency "study" was quite early made suspect when the head of the Shenandoah Valley Airport Authority , next-door neighbor to the 1600 acre industrial plant asked why the agency making they had not called on them as a next-door neighbor to the project. The affair is not concluded. -giant Toyota automobile assembly plant is not to be here - if anywhere, for that matter but the Board of Super-persons is still bickering with a local holder of 600 acres he is willing to part with for a third or fourth nearby "industrial park" with sites for twenty-three small plants. Beyond all doubt, the real opportunity seems to be in taking surveys. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-3-06 [c457wds] .
Sunday, July 02, 2006
SENTRY DUTY We are all – each of us – is serving, - even now – as a sentry, knowingly or unknowingly in an active army of militant persons dedicated and fore sworn to that which we might call Righteousness...Good....Propriety...Decency and Fair Play. We weaken our urge to act when we relate such unifying ideals giving purpose to living with our, oft times, rather shallows religious professions. Often that which we say we believe is not at all in sync with that which we actually accept and practice in our daily living routine. We fail ,as a rule, to take seriously the responsibility we have to guard our traditional cultural values with proper care and dedication, Too often we are satisfied to place show-place protection in obvious places to warn any trouble-makers that we are prepared to stop them. Look, if you will at the impressive guards around Buckingham Palace, in London, They are admired for their discipline and remarkable ability to ignore all manner of foolishness designed make them laugh. They seem to thrive on this strange manner of torture. It is chiefly for show. Let a serious incident occur, however, and you will be amazed at the sudden support he has at his bidding in the nearby guardhouse, shelter or hallway. Most of us who have done military service remember sentry duty as being the absolute epitome of dullness. It is, we who have done military service, think of guard duty as being the absolute epitome dullness. Doing nothing at all is difficult. Right now now as the July 4th time of the year draws near wed are reminded of the pledges our forefathers made to each other as they fashioned the new, independent nation which is out heritage. They set up numerous safeguards which have acted as protective caretakers sustaining the strength and enduring values of the new nation. Compared to the history of other nations, ours has been one with and amazingly placid existence. Citizens have, by and large, have accepted the obligations which our ancestors said were ours to continue without end. We must be part and parcel of the sense that we must vote our preferences for leaders and support them in their work insofar as we think best for the nation. We must guard this right to vote. We have also promised to defend the nation against all enemies. Herein we, have faltered from time to time. Thus far we have kept our guard up and strong. On this July 4th of 2006 – a good many years since 1776 – say a short prayer of thankfulness for the Power which has enabled us to do so. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-2-06 [c457wds]
Saturday, July 01, 2006
FLOODS The recent floods in the Northeastern sections of our country come readily to mind when we mention “deep” or “big” waters. When well-known rivers, lakes, ponds and creeks - augmented by excessive downfalls of unanticipated rains upstream and locally, cause them to swell and to exceed their bounds and bed. It is then we start “testing the waters”. It is not, as a rule, something we have especially planned to do, but rather something which comes upon us alarmingly and demands attention. As we watch the water line advance, we may even measure up our possible losses if we do not follow through with definite actions to protect our property. We are, in a political sense, in such a stage right at this time. Even though the Presidential election is two years or more away quite a few potential voters are selecting and backing individuals they profess or claim will make good candidates. The theme of most of these individual campaigns seem to be “he or she can win the election! There seems to be little time or thought involved concerned with a candidate's ability to serve the nation well in times of war, peace or those in-between doldrums when true leadership is more needed than ever. Some place Hillary Clinton in that category and a hint of it rubs off on new-booker Al Gore,, still-here General Wesley Clark, once-more John Edwards, Mark Warner and others. Those with G.O. P. leanings are jotting down names including those of Condoleeza Rice, General Colin Powell, Newt Gingrich, Rudolph Juliano, and John Allen. Thus far I have not heard any drums rolling or trumpets tooting at "sign-em-up" rallies for such as T. Kennedy, A Sharpton, H. Byrd, and other such vote-gatherers. You will notice I have included two favorites from Virginia and you are urged to append favorites from your state as well. It would be interesting if the two contending candidates for the Oval Office job would happen to be from Virginia? Has that ever happened before? If so – when? Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 7-1-06 [c362wds]
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