Just the Facts!

I used to think that when you wanted to watch drama you would rent or tune into the appropriate program. It seems stupid drama has taken over everything including news programs. Another popular topic this election year is that news media stinks with bias. 

 

Here is a silly yet somewhat accurate to the style news reports these days

 

Newsguy: Hello our breaking story at the top of the hour is that the president farted today while in a meeting with the vice president, secretary of defense, and the joint chiefs, lets go to our Washington correspondent.

 

Washingtonguy: Thank you, yes it is confirmed that while meeting with the vice president, the secretary of state, and the joint chiefs, the president ripped on through his trousers. It was reported to be five to seven seconds long, reverberated his chair, and smelled like sulfur and burnt tires. The secret service escorted the officials out of the Oval Office, and supervised while fans were placed in the office and windows opened. The meeting returned after an all clear was signaled and the Lysol dissipated.  Terrorists are not, I repeat terrorists are not suspected in altering the presidents diet.

 

Newguy: Thank you, now joining us to sort out what this all means is someone from each party, one of those, and one of these.

 

One of those: The president handled this appropriately and with honor. The president is only human and this will happen.  What we do need is a committee to establish a flatulence committee so we can have a national presidential gas plan. We would be able to run the country if that other party would shut their yaps.

 

News guy: Now we will hear from one of these

 

One of these:  This president is a disgrace, this is proof he talks out his butt.  What is next for this administration pooping in meetings? Will the president meet with the prime minister of Canada, drop his drawers and crap all over him? Where does it end. If that other party had not blocked our crap bill this would not happen. They need to shut their yaps!

 

Sheep person1: Can you believe those idiots attacking the president!

 

Sheep person2: What a useless president, talks out his butt sheeze!

 

Average person: Why did the president call for a meeting with the VP, and the joint chiefs? What did they talk about? What are they planning to do? Hello? Anyone?

 

When they surveyed college aged people about news and a majority got their daily news from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert the news organizations did not think of it as a wake up call, but when on the attack, calling Stewart and college kids idiots. Jon Stewart never claimed to be news, he is on Comedy Central, he is satire. All he does is play back what politicians say, and it is so ridiculous it is funny. It seems claiming to be satire gives him some honestly and credibility so people watch it, figuring it is no less accurate.

 

It must be that someone well dressed relaying facts is too boring to sell advertising. People think news should be like Indiana Jones, flashy, exciting, and to hell if it is real or not. When a topic is who has the sexiest news reporters, well you see the news in not the issue, entertainment is.

 

Others do not want to hear facts and draw their own conclusions. They want the facts to support their conclusions true or not. They want the truth packaged in a pretty little box, with a pretty ribbon, so they never have to open it and look inside. Their little bubbles all secure and happy, the happy bubble of denial, instead of knowing it might pop, and being able to adjust real life with real information.

 

People want drama, emotion, and to call others idiot. It is exactly like that moment of hate Orwell warned us about in 1984. Trained journalist with ethics review processes have been replaced with pundits.  Pundits then say the most outrageous stuff to “piss off” the other side, then the other side responds, on and on we go. There is a market for that, but it should not be considered mainstream news.  People do not trust the news, yet we need to make important decisions, black market news is getting popular, but as with any information buyer beware. Provided one does think and not just blindly accept any info to keep their happy little bubble intact.

 

Truth is not a purchase decision, you can’t say I paid for truth I get what I want, it had best say what I want or it is not the truth, I want it all, and I want it now! Truth is not a made to order commodity with pretty colors and fancy widgets. Truth requires a validity process to check integrity, check the facts to support the conclusion, and potential falsification must be admitted. Truth can be ugly and one must face that, but when the truth is pretty, you can know for sure it is real, thus the beauty is more than skin deep.

 

And that’s a fact jack!

 

 

We know the Star Trek series, and can quote “beam me up Scotty” “Resistance is futile” “make it so” Just for fun and to relax from all the political debate, but yet be who we are and enjoy politics, and the “other camps of thought.” I thought it would be entertaining to look at Star Trek from political perspective of Liberal, Conservative, & Libertarian. My quotes may not be word for word accurate.

 

Star Trek as a “Liberal” Show.

“Earth is a paradise, we have eliminated hunger, homelessness, & disease”...Sisko

“I love you, I do not care what they think you are”…Rikker (figures huh lol)

“Men of peace usually are brave”.. Spock

“We don’t use money in the 23^rd century”…. Kirk

“Torture is outdated and ineffective, no real civilization uses it”…Picard

“Keep your prejudices in your quarters mister” Kirk

"DO not go beyond warp 5, we are destroying the universe" A Scientist

 

The technology has reached a point that people no longer need money, everyone can pursue their passion your survival is a given. Arts and culture are alive and well. So well that even Klingons run around quoting Shakespeare.  Society does not judge Black, White, Asian, Blue, Red, Green, Homosexual, Straight, in between.  People are judged by their character not color of skin. Scientist travel and study those strange new worlds, and new life forms.  Medical care is free, as is shelter, and food, just walk to a computer and ask for it. Liberal Paradise!

 

 

Star Trek as a “Conservative” show

“You can’t let some machine take our jobs, there are certain things we must do to remain men” Kirk

“Excellence is expected, anything beyond that does you credit” Picard

“You are a coward, and you have no honor, get out of my sight”  Worf

“I don’t wage war with computers, I wage the real thing” Kirk

“The honor is to serve” “Your service honors us” Picard and Serek greeting each other

“As long as you wear that uniform, you word is good” Sisko

“We all ask a father, a brother, a god, why am I here?” Spock

“You will just exist living on the charity of others” Odo

 

A free lunch did not build an advanced star fleet.  Not every race is happy to see star fleet, and some aliens find it something useful to consume and conquer.  Smiling happy aliens would make for a very boring show, and is not reality.  Star Fleet has a strict code of honor and ethics, those that break them, even with the best intentions are not treated with respect.  Earth might have some fat lazies remaining, but on a ship you can escape all that.  In spite of all the technology and social tolerance, respect is still gotten the old fashioned way, they earn it.  Buzzwords like discipline, service and honor are alive and well in the future as seen by Star Trek. 

 

Star Trek as a Libertarian show.

“Our culture is based on freedom and self determination” Picard

“No disrespect, but my career choices are my own business” Rikker

“We are here to ascertain my right to choose” Data

“I will work with you, and fight for you, but I don’t like you” Worf

 

Star Treks prime directive of no interference is a pure Libertarian statement.  Based on the old west, Star trek is a western with space ships, a wagon train to the stars. Often having to improvise as you go to survive, day by day.  Civil rights are often the main topic of the show. Does this race have the right to do this that or the other, does the individual have the right to do or say certain things? Often self-restraint and ethics are the only law for light years.  Star Trek asserts that all discipline is internal, not out side force can truly make you do anything. The other sides right to law and due process stop Star Fleet from blowing the other guys to kingdom come. Nobody really cares about your race, preference, or even quirks, as long as you contribute, and be the best of your chosen path.

 

So which do you think Star Trek is? If you like the show you might claim it, if not give it to another political belief.

 

I am certain the show was for all people, since few people fall purely into any one stereotype.  A liberal has honor and can fight fiercely for a just cause. Conservatives enjoy arts and culture, and despise racism. 

 

Star trek is what our nation (planet) should be about. We all work together to improve the quality of life. We will never agree on how to get there, but if we play/fight fair at least you are honorable at all times.  The odd quirks and point of view of someone from a place you dislike might just save you one day.

 

We need the opposing points of view to stop any political or social monopoly. That is what brings back oppression and the dark ages. Losing our right to say no, once you cannot say no, you are a slave. No matter how friendly or benign the monopoly force claims to be, the truth of it is you are a slave.  Saying no has cost those brave few alot, but we thank them for it.

 

Harmless beliefs one does not agree with are trivial so long as no force is used. Becoming advanced beings will mean picking battles wisely knowing that in the end the truth will show beyond all doubt. Truth is something we all need, and can learn from, Liberal, Conservative, or Libertarian.

 

 

 

AGree with the message but not the delivery method.

At first I was thinking 'Thanks a "heck" of a a lot CBS, as if enough people don't already have an excuse to not exercise, you come out with this!"

But it is true, many trainers are totally incompetent. One of my past supervisors was beyond incompetent, and took it to a new level.

Regulation is not the answer. Look at all the law suits filed against doctors. Clients need to follow the buyer beware rule. Know if their traienr has a degree and is certified by a real agency. No gym I know will hire someone from Expert Rating, sheez!

HUMMMM.. With all the election stuff, seems all over blog land people are asking and thinking about character, morals, & ethics. News reports of "family values" politicians playing around with call girls, and stuff. CEOs looting company assets and retirement plans to line their own pockets.  Politicians making promises we know are bogus, but yet allow them to do their plan, and somehow forget to hold them to their half.

Like with Clinton (the mister) as soon as you think of him, you then go right to the Monica thing.  Though neither he or she ( the misses) will confirm it, some folks who are personally close to the Clintons imply they have an open marriage. That changes the rules alot. Except you should not play at work, geez. 

It seems with politicians, and those who are looking to romantically date or simply befriend someone it is like you are extending "character credit."   Then with a normal marriage the wave of euphoria wears off, and you realized you married a human, who can drive you up a wall.  Then politicians to dumb human things, other do down right dirty illegal things feeling they are above the law. Reality sets in over time no matter what.

Watching westerns character was a big part of the story.  Back then people fought and died over reputation, honor, and the like. Many samurai stories adapted well as westerns because of that theme.  A John Wayne character saying "me and him go back a long ways" said a lot more than just the words. 

Seems the only real truth is action. There is truth in dishonest action. What someone does day to day is the reality of who they are. People do first what is important to them, the rest is just details. Some guy who says his wife and kids are important, but is at the bar until 11 every night, makes you wonder. Where a guy who is at home with his family never has to say anything. 

In fitness you know how much time we spend talking about fitness? HAHAHA! If people could move their bodies as much as they move their mouths we would be the healthiest nation on the planet.  We could run the Kenyans into the ground, and out lift the Eastern Europeans.

I wonder how many stupid sob stories judges get from repeat offenders? How sorry, how stupid, how it will never happen again, three arrests ago.  Maybe I could get on the pop culture bandwagon with my life coaching, and market instant character repair. Here you are now a good person on a silver platter, yippy hurray!  "Here is Betty, she used to do drugs and beat her kids, but after 30 days on my program, she is a saint."  I think part of who we are is the restitution we pay others and to our selves. Like fitness, I have no magic bullets.

As I got older, maybe not wiser, but definitely older, I find it rewarding to walk the walk.  I am so far from a saint it is ridiculous but I do believe there are certain things we must challenge ourselves to do and to become to be human beings.  Pop culture talks of building self esteem, and helping others build theirs. That comes from real accomplishments. No you can not be the best and fastest all the time, but you can get yourself to the game. If you do what it takes day in and day out the odds say you have to come out a head.  If you do what you feel passionate about you really can't lose.

 

Ok, something I never thought I would dread, and don't dread in most ways, did manage to happen yesterday.

My son told me a dirty joke!

Never mind him! I am not old enough for for him to be telling dirty jokes! AAAAAHHH!

He is always telling me "hey dad want to hear a joke?" Typical school yard stuff, that has not changed for years he tell me the classic oldies. What is funny is him intrepreting the jokes for me, from his point of view.

But yesterday! When the joke started with "This space alien walked by two nuns" Any joke with nuns is doomed from the start.  He saw my expression change with two nuns, then warned me it might be a bit risque~, yes he uses words like risque~.

Before he tried to explain it to me, I manged to cut in and remind him that it is ok with me, but many others will not appreciate this humor, and to be very careful. I do not want a call from the school. 

I know boys become young men, but geez, there is never prep time for parents to adjust!

 

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.
And you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.
William J. H. Boetcker (1873 – 1962)

As most people that know me understand that I am not religious. However I also do not smoke, do dope, and rarely drink. I say if what you do do don't do does not bother anyone else what does it matter?

Speaking as a secularist, I was actually upset over the court case and challenging God in the pledge of allegiance.  And for an atheists to challenge it?? It would make more sense of a Buddhist or the like to be upset over "God" rather than an atheists. I do not feel it is shoving God down your throat because God is a personal choice and the relationship people have with God is an individual thing. One can simply replace God with a word they feel fits better. One nation under law or something like that. Those that want God can have, one that don't, don't have to either.

I often look at religion like this. I do celebrate Christmas. When I hang up a picture of Santa Claus do I literally think a fat man in a red suit will actually fly around delivering presents? Well no, but it represents giving, family, happiness, self reflection. Same qualities people seek in their religion and relationship with God.

The taking the Ten Commandments out of the courthouse.  To an atheists would it not be the same as a picture of the Tooth Fairy in the court house?  Besides only about 40% of the commandments apply to court. Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery, & thou shalt not bear false witness. If people did not do those things the court would not be very busy anyway, not much need of a court house to begin with.

Here in Boise we have a big light up cross over looking the city.  Some atheist from Chicago filed a suit over it. That really ticked me off.  He did not even live here, and again as an atheist why would it matter.  We all share the city, and a vast majority what the cross there. They look up on a bad day and see the light both literally and figuratively.  I am happy they found their religion. People need peace, joy, and hope, and the others of the city are entitled to it. It is not a Nazi swastika or a bird flipping finger. It far from offends me, and actually the door to door missionaries have bothered me alot More than a light up cross.

Prayer in school and Intelligent Design are separate issues from the PoA.  Others saying God in PoA is not a prayer, but an affirmation of beliefs of principles of our nation. Those who want God in it, say it as such, those that don't, don't. Neither side needs to force or make a huge deal about something simple.  Freedom of religion is freedom from it, but liek free speech, you do nto have a right to be unoffended. The fools who go looking to be offended to be on the news and make dumb drama, a different story fro a different day.

I hope our country goes back to a live and let live philosophy.

 

I know sometimes I really go off on the school system. I do respect most teachers, I really do. It is the public politics that torque me off to no end. Some mouthpieces out there are more worried about their agenda being taught to kids over any useful life skills. To sound JFK like, it is not what our young people should be doing, it is what are we doing for our young people?

When people who are clueless to the demographics and dynamics of your particular school set policy the only logical conclusion is disaster. No child left behind looks great on paper, a looks to make school responsible. Until you realize that schools are not given the resources to make these things happen. Then there is the wonderful fact of non-English speaking students.  Educated children do not appear out of thin air anymore than money does.

What ever happened to teaching kids useful things? Like how to manage a bank account? How an auto loan and home mortgage works.  What types of loans there are and how the interest works, and how you can save or get shafted for thousands of dollars? Math, science, history, and how government works?  The fact the founding fathers were not perfect, but they did demonstrate that with out rights to life, liberty & property, one is not free.

Seems more attention and lip service is given to weather Jonnie comes from a daddy/daddy home or a mommy/mommy home rather than just living and learning. Jonnie should not be harassed about it, but beyond that, who cares? Have qualified people ready if Jonnie has questions, but beyond that, if Jonnie has no issues, let’s not make any for him. There are not many life skill considerations given to single parents, and that is far more common than homosexuality. Sex is a part of life yes, who you are screwing is as much of a choice as your career, religion, political beliefs, ie another set of choices one will have to make, and will be part of who you are.  However we do not need to wig out over it, nor shove the ideals of the few down kids throats.  

I wont even touch Creationism and Science. Luckily most people are rational and realize you cannot get into MIT with a creationism background, nor would someone going to theologian school spend a lot of time on physics (typically). So a majority of the people blend religion and science quite well. 

The right to believe in one or the other is personal choice, we should agree to disagree, and realize it is more important we all have the right to pursue those beliefs. The old quote “I disagree with what you say, but defend your right to say it.”  Teaching kids to celebrate civil rights will help do away with all this politically correctness, racism, and other nonsense. Live and let live. Also free speech does not mean you do have a right to never be offended.  Idiots get to speak out too, luckily the truth always comes to light.

You play exactly as you practice, so why not teach the kids what they need to reach their goals, and let them play at life until their “game time” comes?

 

 

I think I am going back to not discussing religion or politics unless it is someone I know pretty well. Nobody is going to change his/her mind, usually no good comes out of the exchange. With my closer friends we just leave it alone, or agree to disagree. We give courtesy and or respect to the whole person, not just one issue, or personal quirk. Personal value and dignity to the individual, it might become a reality you never know.

Many people start well meaning but end up in an anger fest. They think they are being rational, and the other side is the obstinate dull heads. Our current culture of shock media and mellow drama the “news debate” shows (cough cough) are more circus freak shows than information and ideas. They reinforce silly behavior over free speech.

Here are two possible outcomes of a political/religious debate.

I support Issue A because of, reason 1, reason 2, and reason 3. Sir/ma’am I oppose Issue A because of, reason 1, reason 2, and reason 3. I find flaw in your reason 2 because historically I observe (point made here). I counter with evidence of policy X, which is similar to Issue A. We will have to see what happens in the polls, see you there. Yes see you there on voting day. I do appreciate your insight and passion of the issue. Thank you, I find you a good debater as well. Would you like to get a beer and have sex with my spouse? Well I only drink American beer. Really me too! That is cool, I will bring my spouse too, and some whipped cream. I find spouses taste better covered in light creamy whipped cream. Oh yeah, we use that too! No offense but I never thought you folks did things like this. Well we are not exempt from the laws of human nature. True, we can disagree on one or two issues, but still work together to make this a better place. I agree, see you in 20. See you then.

Or this.

Issue A is the only way to have things, and if you disagree take your useless carcass out of MY country! Oh Yeah Issue A will lead to ruin and mayhem you dullard! By disagreeing with me you show you are “one of those,” you are unworthy of an opinion so shut up!No you shut up! Kook! Wing Nut! Commie! Fascist! Your mother has sex with zebras with backwards strips! Your mother sucks pond scum through a straw! Idiot! Loser! Yeah well our political party sponsors this show, so we will get the last word and say we won, neener neener. Oh yeah well our show will show your show making fun of our show and you will look like idiots. Yeah well we will show your show making fun of our show and edit it so you look really stupid making us look stupid. Idiots! Fascists, Bleeding hearts! country!

It is unfortunate one of these example is a huge exaggeration the other is not. Well on second hand maybe not, smile.