Are You a Criminal?

Did you ever consider how close you may have come to doing time, real time? Now, I know you are saying, "How ridiculous is that?" But, I can think of some very sticky situations you may have found yourselves in that turned out all right but may have turned out very badly. I have been considering how "bad" the "bad people" really are lately, and I am very happy that my life did not go sour for some reason or another. Criminal behavior, in any sense, is wrong. Just how much can you flirt with disaster? Certainly, the less, the better. Here are some questions to consider that involve situations that may have gotten you into serious trouble. 1. Did you ever avert your glance while driving a car on a two-lane road and find that you had gone way left of center? Then, you shivered as you realized you could have hit someone head-on. 2. Did you ever lose your temper and push and/or hit someone as you got into a fight? Later you realized that serious injury or death could have occurred. 3. Did you ever corn cars when you were younger and scare the driver nearly off the road? 4. Did you ever buy fenced goods from someone even though you suspected they had been stolen? 5. Did you ever knowingly and purposely cheat on your income tax because you thought the government was crooked? 6. Did you ever have a passenger with you and drive your car as fast as you could to see how it would run? 7. Did you ever give a ride to a stranger or to a casual acquaintance who may have been concealing illegal drugs? 8. Did you ever act completely out of your mind when drunk or high to the point that you followed a bad crowd that was acting illegally? 9. Did you ever date someone you suspected (or didn't suspect) was underage? 10. Did you ever mistakenly pass a bad check? If you have done any of these things, you may have committed a criminal act. Fate and better judgment may have prevented you from getting into a lot of trouble. You learned from a terrible experience and adjusted your behavior. But, what if? The Bible, Luke 23 ³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" ⁴⁰But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." ⁴²Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." ⁴³Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Do You Believe in Romantic Love?

www.copyright-free-pictures.org.uk Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O no! it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come: Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved. In the first quatrain, the speaker defines love both by telling what it is and what it is not. He states that love does not change or turn ("alter when alteration finds"), but remains ever fixed. In the second quatrain, the speaker tells uses a metaphor to tell what love is: a guiding star to lost ships ("wand'ring barks") that is not susceptible to storms (it "looks on tempests and is never shaken"). In the third quatrain, the speaker again describes more specifically what love is not: love is not susceptible to time. Though beauty is cut down as time metaphorically wields its sickle ("his bending sickle's compass") , love doesn't change with passing days (it "bears it out ev'n to the edge of doom"). In the last couplet, the real rhetorical and emotional power of love is revealed not in its complexity; rather, the speaker simply affirms his certainty that love is exactly as he says. He delivers the force of his linguistic and emotional conviction ("I have never writ, nor no man ever loved"). So, this sonnet presents the extreme ideal of romantic love: it never changes, it never fades, it outlasts death and admits no flaw. And even more, it insists that this ideal is the only love that can be called "true"--if love is mortal, changing, or impermanent, the speaker writes, then no man ever loved. William Shakespeare, Bard of Avon, earned his distinction of being widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. Romanticism, of course, was partly a reaction against the scientific rationalization of nature, and Sonnet 116 upholds this romantic view of love. To many today, romantic love is irrational and, if experienced, followed by disillusionment. They cannot see how or why their once romantic love was lost. Often, these people come to believe that romantic love is a false hope. They began their relationship with romantic feelings and dreams for their future. Once many believe, they felt a rewarding life, but eventually the relationship began to fall apart and became a painful experience. Is a romantic love possible? Is it a dream relationship? To those seeking a romantic love, here are some ideas about bringing the concept into reality. The following statements represent ideas, not necessarily research: 1. Marriage itself does not create or sustain romantic love. People can and do fall in love with the idea of a person who does not really exist and hope the relationship will endure. Then, love often doesn't last. 2. Most people never learn how to sustain a loving relationship. The reason is simple. Nobody showed them. Falling in love does not teach communication skills and problem solving. 3. When problems arise, lovers begin to see the other person more like they truly are and not what they needed them to be. They find faults and become jealous, angry, and bitter. 4. The desire for visibility is related to our desire to be understood. For any person, blind love may help numb or settle anxiety, but it will not answer the hunger to be seen and understood. Sustained visibility, being seen and noticed by another, will lead to self discovery. 5. The desire to be validated is important. People want their lovers to see and value the identity they were born with and have grown to become. They want their lover to see them as lovable and capable. In romantic love, two people see each other in a unique way. 6. Sexual identity is central to who lovers are. In romantic love, one perceives the other as a real or potential source of happiness. Desire is born, which leads to actions that result in pleasure and joy. If people are frightened or angered by their differences, love withers. 7. Differences in the lovers' sense of life, or conscious and unconscious values, present problems if they are not appreciated and accepted as differences. 8. One key to romantic love is whether the couple experiences their differences as complementary or antagonistic. This often depends on the willingness and ability of both people to appreciate and find value in the other person. 9. Individual rhythm and energy is deeply connected to whether or not romantic love actually ignites and endures. When a man and woman meet and feel "in sync", there can be an exhilarating experience of harmony. Neurobiologists have found that there is a chemical released in the brain when a couple falls in love. This chemical is called phenylethlamine and it functions in the body much like an amphetamine. This may explain the superhuman feelings of a couple who is falling in love such as "I feel like I can walk on air." Does this chemical fade completely with time? In a recent study in the Review of General Psychology, scientists found that romantic love -- defined as having intensity, engagement and sexual interest -- does exist in long-term relationships. And, they also found that the greater the romantic love was, the more satisfied people reported being, whether it was a short-term or long-term relationship (U.S. News, "Romantic Love," March 25 2009). Hooray for Shakespeare! Maybe he was trying to convey that very idea in the 17th Century.

Don't Let Conficker.c Worm April Fool Your Computer

In a story posted on CNN, remembrances of predictions surrounding the "Millennium Bug" of January 1, 2000 have made computer owners more than a little nervous. Researchers are hoping an April Fools' time bomb, Conficker.c, that is supposed to hit computers on April 1, turns out to be equally unfounded.

Here is some information on the worm so you can adequately prepare yourself and your computer. Conficker.c is a worm (malicious program) believed to have already infected between 5-10 million computers. It is thought that the virus may try to get computer users to buy fake software or spend money on other phony product. The first version of Conficker (strain A) was released in late 2008. That version used 250 Web addresses as the means of communication between the master computer and its zombies. "The end goal of the first line was to sell computer users fake antivirus software," said Patrick Morganelli, senior vice president of technology for Enigma Software. One way to see if your computer is already infected, is to see if you have gotten automatic updates from Windows in March. If you have, your computer is likely fine. Microsoft released a statement saying the company "is actively working with the industry to mitigate the spread of the worm." Users who haven't gotten the latest Windows updates in March should go to http://safety.live.com if they fear they're infected, the company's statement says. Those who use other antivirus software should check to make sure they've received the latest updates, which also could have been disabled by Conficker.c.

The program could delete all of the files on a person's computer, use zombie PCs -- those controlled by a master -- to overwhelm and shut down Web sites or monitor a person's keyboard strokes to collect private information like passwords or bank account information, experts said.

Depression and Teens

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which sets guidelines for doctors on a host of health issues, acknowledges that nearly two million teens are affected by depression and is urging doctors to routinely screen all American teens for this debilitating condition.

Most teens now are undiagnosed and untreated, said the panel in the journal Pediatrics. An estimated 6 percent of U.S. teenagers are clinically depressed. Some research supports that adolescent girls are twice as likely as boys to experience depression. The precise causes of depression are not known, but research on adults with depression generally points to both biological and psychosocial factors.

Here are some of the suspected causes of teen depression:

1. Genetic factors derived from the family and/or depressed parents who create an environment that increases the chances of depression in the children may cause depression.

2. One reason for depression in adolescent girls may be that they are more socially oriented, more dependent on positive social relationships, and more vulnerable to losses of social relationships than are boys.

3. Biological factors such as the functioning of the hypothalamus may affect teen depression.

4. Cognitive factors such as a negative mind set in which one assumes blame for for negative events may influence depression. The mind set in question is known as a pessimistic "attribution bias."

5. Some unique situations such as social rejection, family turmoil, or failing exams could trigger depression.

6. The more television viewing a teen has, the more the likelihood of the development of depression as a young adult.

7. Studies are also looking at the normal process of maturing and stress associated with it, the influence of sex hormones, and independent conflicts with parents as well as reaction to disturbing events such as a breakup with a boyfriend/girlfriend, death of a friend or relative, loss of a parent to death or divorce, physical and sexual child abuse, chronic illness, eating disorders such as bulimia, and poor social skills.

Depression can be a temporary response to many situations and stresses. And, true depression in teens is often difficult to diagnose, because normal adolescents have both up and down moods. Depressive episodes usually respond to treatment, and early and comprehensive treatment of depression in adolescence may prevent further episodes. However, about half of seriously depressed teens are likely to have continued problems with depression as adults.

Depression is a serious mental illness and a major risk factor for suicide. As many as 12 to 25 percent of older children and adolescents experience some form of thoughts about suicide (suicidal ideation) at one time or another. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15 to 24 year olds, and the third leading cause of death in 10 to 14 year olds.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the following:

• Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than females.
• Females are more likely to attempt suicide than males.
• Firearms are used in over half of youth suicides.

Portsmouth, My Hometown

Founded in 1803, my small hometown of Portsmouth, Ohio, used to be the hub of most area functions and activities. Once a center of commerce (the Shoe Manufacturing Capital of the World), Portsmouth reached its peak population of 50,000 in 1907. Its glory days past, Portsmouth presently has a population of about 20,000 people. Portsmouth sits on the confluence of the Ohio, Scioto, and Little Scioto rivers and is only 90 miles away from Columbus, Cincinnati, Charleston and Lexington. The area is rich in history, including an NFL franchise, the Portsmouth Spartans, which moved to Detroit in 1934 and became the Detroit Lions. Sitting in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachians, Portsmouth remains a lovely setting for those fortunate enough to find jobs in the depressed area (about 18.3% of families and 23.6% of the population are below the poverty line). Notable residents of the area include Roy Rogers, Branch Rickey, opera singer Kathleen Battle, Speaker of the Ohio House Vern Riffe, football standout Chuck Ealey, and present-day Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. Being a lifelong resident of the area, I often find myself looking back- back to times when businesses and activities flourished in Portsmouth City proper. Like many downtowns, Portsmouth has changed; in this case, primarily from an industrial and business center to a small college town featuring Shawnee State University, its supporting commerce and student housing. Gone are many features of a booming, thriving city. I love my town and its well-worn claim to being "The City Where Southern Hospitality Begins." But, I must be a little sad when I hear other long-term residents crying for a return to its heyday. Change is rooted in reality, and Portsmouth's future reality remains rather dim in respect to being a thriving economic community. Some might disagree, but rivers and railroads and canals do not help establish centers of industry as they did long ago. It seems P-town's strongest points are education and the health fields, which also offer most of the local job opportunities. So, what do I want you to know about my hometown? 1. Portsmouth is a great small place to live and raise a family. 2. Portsmouth, though Appalachian through and through, is not full of ignorant, toothless rednecks. 3. Portsmouth takes great pride in preserving its rich heritage of history and culture. 4. Portsmouth never forgets a native son/daughter and waits with welcome arms for any who wish to return. 5. Portsmouth remains a place where roots are established that past residents proudly branch into new places and new opportunities throughout the nation and throughout the world. Crowded downtown streets on Friday night present images to my mind of a town of long ago. Driving down Chillicothe Street now on Friday, I notice the bustle of shoppers has been replaced by an occasional skateboarder or restaurant patron. I, like my town, am much older. We both have considerably slowed down and I wonder if, in both cases, anyone could have done anything to change that. And, may all changes be for the better?

The Mercy Seat

The original Hebrew word translated as Mercy Seat is (pronounced) kap-po-reth, and means to cover, in two ways; as a noun, meaning a lid, or a top, but also, based on the Hebrew root from which it was derived, as a verb meaning to pardon, or to atone for, as in to cover a debt. The Hebrew word kap-po-reth is used exclusively in the Scriptures for The Mercy Seat, and for nothing else. The seat, as part of the Ark of the Covenant, is believed to be an earthly symbol of God's throne in Heaven. The Mercy Seat was the top section, or lid, of The Ark of the Covenant which contained The Ten Commandments. Like the rest of the Ark, the seat was made of acacia wood. The Mercy Seat is the place from which Yahweh spoke to his people in the Old Testament. Here is a description of the seat taken from Exodus 25, Verses 17-22. "And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat... And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give to thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the cherubims which are upon the ark on the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel." A cherub is likely a celestial winged being with human, animal, or birdlike characteristics. They are included among the angels, and in the Hebrew scriptures they are described as the throne bearers of God. They serve as the celestial attendants of God and praise him continually. It is thought that God stationed cherubim east of the Garden of Eden "to guard the way to the tree of life" (Gen. 3:24). According to the Biblical directions, the Holy of Holies could only be entered at Yom Kippur and only be entered by the Jewish High Priest, who was covenanted to do so in order to sprinkle the blood of a sacrificial bull onto the seat as an atonement for himself and his family, the other priests, the tabernacle, and the people of Israel. In 587 BC, the Babylonians captured Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple. At that point, the Ark disappears from history. The role of the Mercy Seat during Yom Kippur was to serve as a prefiguration of the Passion of Christ,which the Pauline Epistles argue was a greater atonement, and formed a New Covenant. According to unknown sources, some people believe that after the Ark was lost, it came to be buried exactly underneath the location at which Jesus was later crucified. Thus, some of Jesus' blood trickled into a crack in the ground and fell on the Ark's actual Mercy Seat. Most Christian theologians though argue there is no need for Jesus' blood to have fallen on the seat since the Epistle to the Hebrews states that Jesus entered heaven with His blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption and fully satisfying God. A song written by Nick Cave (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Tender Prey, 1988) entitled "The Mercy Seat" tells the story of a man about to be executed in the electric chair. Of course the seat refers to the throne of God and to the electric chair itself. The song is full of allusions to Christianity. The sentenced man claims that he is innocent, that he told the truth, and that he is not afraid to die.

"And in a way I'm yearning / To be done with all this measuring of truth. / An eye for an eye / And a tooth for a tooth / And anyway I told the truth / And I'm not afraid to die."

But, over the course of the song the register is repeated and gradually altered from a defiant statement of innocence to admitting guilt and that he is deserving of death.

Johnny Cash covered the song on his 2000 album American III: Solitary Man. Today, the location of the Ark of the Covenant is unknown. Reports range from the interesting to the absurd. Many theories abound. Here are just a few of the reports. Some believe the Ark has been-- 1. Stored away in a government warehouse in Washington, D.C. 2. Hidden in the Vatican, 3. Taken to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar and later destroyed, 4. Taken by God to the Heavenly Temple, probably before the Babylonian captivity, 5. Taken by Jeremiah to Ireland, 6. Swallowed by the earth.

Nudity On the Net

In this day of new technology do we have to protect children from themselves? According to a story in the New York Daily News, "A 14-year-old New Jersey girl has been accused of child pornography after posting nearly 30 explicit nude pictures of herself on MySpace.com — charges that could force her to register as a sex offender if convicted." The unnamed teen was charged with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography and released to her mother’s custody." If convicted as a sex offender, the teen would be forced to register with the state under Megan’s Law. She also could face up to 17 years in jail. According to the teen, she posted the photos because "she wanted her boyfriend to see them." The American Civil Liberties Union has asked a federal judge to block the filing charges, saying that the teen didn't consent to the picture's distribution and that the image is not pornography, in any event.

"Teenagers need to know that there are serious consequences for sharing risquDe or compromising pictures of themselves, but trying to teach that lesson with heavy artillery like child-pornography charges — which can have lifelong consequences — is uncalled for. Who does it protect?" said Deborah Jacobs, executive director of the New Jersey ACLU.

Called "sexting" when done by cell phone, the habit of teens sending sexually suggestive photos of themselves and others to one another is becoming a problem. Eight states have already tried to stop it by charging teens who send and receive pictures. This case presents some interesting questions. 1. If child pornography laws are supposed to protect children, how can the law arrest the 14-year-old girl? After all, if she were an adult, she wouldn't be arrested because it isn't illegal to post nude photos of yourself on the internet when you are 18. 2. Should an older teen boy (17 or 18 years old) be arrested for getting a younger teen girl pregnant? 3. Should the parents also be charged when a sex crime is committed by their minor? 4. Are these photos the web equivalent of flashing? 5. Should parents provide children with their own unrestricted computers, cell phones, digital cameras, and web cams? 6. Should the law label someone as a sex offender for the next 60+ years for an action that did not damage any one mentally or physically before they were legally/mentally an adult? 7. Are people in the U.S. sexually maturing earlier, and, if so, should this fact enter into interpretation of sex offender status? Maybe, part of the problem lies with society's obsession with the naked body of a young lady. Madison Avenue, music videos, and the television media typically idolize the young, slender model image of teen perfection. Measures of womanhood and sexuality are taken from this youthful conception of beauty. Companies sell it to consumers constantly. Is it any wonder that some attractive young girls believe their naked image is something to be valued and shared?

A World of Good Intent

A smile greets smile as loving parents dote On every move and coo from their sweet child. No one could doubt the worth of such a gift So fine and free from scorn or harsh words vent. And so he grows above a safety net Not yet aware of falls that strike the ground. Supported with sweet love he lives content Until he ventures farther from the hearth. "You're not so cute," his friend so boldly states. "In fact, you're kind of fat if truth be known." The words he feels fall safely all around For he has faith in those he hears at home. He tries to read the book aloud at school, But finds some words too hard for him to say. The teacher frowns then calls on Alice Sue While John tells Pretty Ann, "That kid is dumb!" At noon the school lets all the students run Their games to show the group the sharing way, But he is often last on captain's tongues So he usually sits alone when teams are picked. In halls he hugs the walls to walk to class Because it's fun to push this nerdy kid . This fact is felt by all who shove or watch And laugh to join the joke so crass and mean. Now home no longer means so much to him. The truth is life sets snares to catch its prey. And he falls out of bed into the light That never seems to illuminate his path. At first all see the world with good intent. But some are quick to feel the constant pain Released by those who do not think or care As long as they stand tall within a crowd.

40th Reunion

My 40th high school class reunion is drawing near, and I have mixed feelings about the event. Now, don't get me wrong: I love my classmates and I hold our high school days close to my heart. I will attend and have a good time renewing old friendships and reminiscing about the past. We will break bread together and discuss our present lives. Just one thing haunts me though. You see, it's this aging thing that skews the picture of our official once every five year communion. My mind sees classmates as they were circa 1969 while my eyes see the living reality of 2009. In some ways, the pictures do not fit. I, like everyone in the class, have changed dramatically both physically and mentally since graduating, and I can handle that. It's just that I want to remember many things as they were forty years ago without any new perspectives. So, I've decided to make a list that suggests some ways I have remained and/or changed since '69. That way, people can get an idea about what the 2009 me will be before the reunion. Don't go to those old yearbooks, people. Just consider the questions that follow and you will reformulate your own image of who I have become. 1. Why does not only Lawrence Welk sound good on the old PBS Saturday night reruns, but also Porter Wagoner sounds OK too? 2. Why is going out on the town these days comprised of walking through Walmart then parking in Kroger's lot to watch the produce trucks unload? 3. Why do I see the old Brian Wilson's blank face staring at me when I look into the bathroom mirror? 4. Why do my friends and I talk about knee problems and recent ailments instead of hot chicks, sports feats, and new guitars? 5. Why do I go to a concert and hate bright flashing lights, ear-splitting PA systems, and large crowds of screaming people? 6. Why do those damned commercials on television have to be so much louder and so much sillier than the occasional program I watch? 7. Why did the Watusi, the Jerk, the Fly, the Mashed Potatoes, and the Jitter Bug give way to the "Who Can Grind Their Booty More Ways Than a Waring Blender?" gyrations? 8. Why will I always prefer the mini-skirt, Beatle boots, and long hair look to the lingerie, gold, and tattoo "bi-atch" fashion statement? 9. Why do I wish I still saw the boy with the hot car and the cool girl squeezed in next to him instead of seeing the girl with the hot car and the cool girl squeezed in next to her? 10. Why can't I find one radio station that still calls my music "the oldies"? 11. Why does my beer always have to be so light that it tastes like someone refilled half the bottle with tap water? 12. Why does my car have to be named Camry, Corolla, Probe (ugh), or Accord instead of MUSTANG, THUNDER BIRD, SUPER SPORT, or CHARGER? 13. Why do six hours sleep and a good dream feel as good as a fantastic party? 14. Why do I have 2,468 channels on my cable and I can't find anything to watch except forty year old reruns and the Nature Channel? 15. Why can't anyone entertain me like Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, Ed Sullivan, Groucho Marks, Red Skelton, Dina Shore, Louis Armstrong, or Johnny Carson? 16. Why do I think Marilyn Monroe, Bridgette Bardot, and Sophia Loren are still in every man's dreams? 17. Why does my mind keep writing large checks that my 58 year-old body can't cash? 18. Why do all the older people become my best friends? I bet you can answer many of these questions for me. Let's just say that the questions I have written only reveal part of my story. There is much more to my life than this... at least, I think there is. Well, maybe....

Reflections of a Six Weeks Movie

When we were in grade school, the entire school was treated to a movie at the end of the six weeks grading period. This practice actually allowed teachers to work on averaging grades and filling out report cards. But, for the students, the six weeks movie was a real social event. Weeks before the movie, students were already planning who they might sit by, who they might hold hands with, and who might lead some mischief during the show. Girls were just starting to look as interesting as baseball, so with a bit of nervous anticipation, I wanted this six weeks movie to be a memorable event. But, being a boy, I let the girls do all the gossiping and planning as I kept on playing cool and hanging with my friends. The movies were standard fare Abbott and Costello or classic Westerns, etc. It really didn't matter as long as the afternoon was spent out of class in the dark, tiny gym. This particular six weeks movie in November ended, and as we filed back to homerooms to await dismissal, the building was abuzz with seemingly unbelievable news: President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas, Texas. I remember our teacher, Mr. Underwood, had a radio and he turned it on to let us follow the tragic story. Later that afternoon, President Kennedy died from his gunshot wounds. I can honestly say, as a 7th grader, I did not know the impact this day was to have on my life. I was very foolish at the time. We had held a mock election at school in 1960, and many friends and I had supported Richard Nixon, who later lost the popular vote in the real election by 49.7 to 49.6 per cent. As kids will be, we had been sore about the loss, especially since our home state Ohio had gone to Nixon. It took a time for many of us to face reality. And now, someone had ripped our world apart. I actually felt guilty for not supporting JFK in our cheesy school election. I was dazed and confused by the brutality of the day. The death of a President and the further complication of Oswald's killing by Ruby became increasingly unimaginable. The events played out like some fictional scripted movie before our virginal television eyes. During the extended weekend, the images of the President's funeral made us all weep for John F. Kennedy and what might have been. Then, I truly realized that my generation had lost an icon and a friend. Times seemed so different then. I remember during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1961-1962 people frantically built fallout shelters and schools showed films about what to do in case of a nuclear attack. Our school even held a timed evacuation and practice run home by buses in response to a staged missile attack. Yet, we were happy, happy in the sense that our friends were there with us and adults we trusted were reassuring us, "There is nothing to worry about." Time went on. High school days came and I loved every minute of them. Vietnam was a half a world away and the Cold War had settled down. Here, at home, classes were better, cars were better, girls were better, rock music was better, and social events were better. I laughed the first day of high school and kept laughing with each new day. I didn't want to miss school because I knew I would miss my friends. And summers! I worked and almost lived at a nearby lake as a lifeguard. Twenty or thirty dollars was a lot of money for a teen then. Life was good. It wasn't until April of my junior year in high school that I again felt such stomach-churning emotion in reaction to a singular, chilling event. I had just pulled into the high school parking lot to begin class play practice when one of my classmates told us that she had just heard that Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. I was certain the United States would explode overnight. Suddenly, the dangers of being drafted, worries about my dear friends, and thoughts of going to college overwhelmed me. Everything was upside down and I was being swept away by forces beyond my control, swept into a serious, dangerous world where teenagers could drown. It was the Kennedy assassination and the Cuban Missile Crisis deja vu. Then, I made a vow out of selfish motives. I knew I didn't have long, but my senior year was just ahead, and I vowed to live it fully among the ones I loved the most because the other, crazy world was waiting after graduation day occurred. Before I let it maul me, scar me, or harm me in any way, I was going to have my finest days.

My Dog Dixie

Dixie was my first dog, a furry white purebred Spitz. I had Dixie as my companion since my earliest memories. She was already full grown when I was a toddler, so she was considerably older than I. And, since I lived on a busy four lane highway, State Route 23, houses were far apart. With my nearest playmate living half a mile away, Dixie became my constant companion and my doting second mother. Like the song lyric professed, we spent our days as "Me and my shadow." Dixie could be jealous with my mom and dad, but she protected me from all threats of harm. She didn't want anyone paddling my rear or even talking cross to me. She followed me everywhere as if it were her duty, and she would allow me to squeeze, push, or grab her any time without so much as a snip. We became inseparable yard buddies and eventually the Louis and Clark Expedition in our nearby woods. I think I thought Dixie was human and a permanent fixture in my life. I remember one evening, Dixie kept barking outside while I was inside my house. Her bark was alarming to the degree that my dad was unable to quiet her, and so he began to figure something had to be truly wrong. As he went outside to investigate, he found that Dixie had cornered a large copperhead close to the spot we had played earlier in the day. Dad dispatched the snake to serpent heaven and Dixie became an overnight hero, considering her brave insistent standoff. In fact, Dixie was a dog's dog and not a pretty toy. She would occasionally munch on rabbits and other small prey she found. She ran through briers in the woods and would fight a strange dog. To me, she was better than Ol' Yeller and Lassie combined. Once, Dixie had been grazed by a car and later recovered, so she never attempted to cross Route 23. Most dogs in our parts didn't last long until flattened by a speeding car. Occasionally, you would see their mangled carcasses littering the road.Dixie had learned her lesson early in life and took no risks west of our yard. During her life, Dixie had several litters of puppies, and upon delivery of her last litter, I was allowed to keep one of her sons. At the time, Dixie was slowing down considerably and showing signs of aging. I think Mom and Dad knew the pup might some day be called upon to replace my best friend. Me, I was just happy to have a second dog. Dixie's son grew strikingly muscular and handsome and I think we named him Bo. Definitely the pick of the litter, Bo epitomized the breed. Everything was fine until the pup reached maturity and curiously wandered across the road. I will never forget the image of seeing his snow-white fur drenched in blood as he ran yelping to the backyard to take his final breaths after being battered by a car. It was one of my first heart-sinking tragedies, but since I still had Dixie, I overcame the blow. Eventually, Dixie got really old and covered with ugly cancerous tumors. She, more than once, hid on the hillside to find sanctuary to die, but I had Mom and Dad help me find her and bring her off the hill. She could hardly drag herself around; still, I was old enough to help her now like she had helped me in younger days. We did everything to cure her, but time and disease had run their course. My last memories of Dixie were sounds-- terrible wails and groans of suffering that penetrated my bedroom walls while I lay in my bed coping with every young child's nightmare. The helpless feelings and insecure pains were new to me, and I will never forget wishing for a miracle to make Dixie whole again. I listened and listened, refusing to give her up. It was agony for dog and human, but as long as she was still breathing, I wanted her alive. The next evening when I came home from school, I found out that Dixie had died. My dad had buried her on the hillside, and I visited the grave and wept. Now, I wonder if the loss of a human playmate would have had such a profound effect. Years later, many years later, my dad told me he had to put Dixie out of her misery. I was glad he had put her down, and I was glad he waited to tell me. I know, deep inside, he loved Dixie as much as I did, but he loved me even more.

Shawnee Overlook

V-eight engine caravans rumbled up the terraced heights On two-lane gravel forest roads, headlights leading through the night. No guardrail held a lost machine from careening down the hill, As hands yanked hard on standard shifts to control the winding thrills. The caravan found an oasis on distant Shawnee ground, Emerging from their metal cocoons with little nervous sounds To converse beside a campfire or to imbibe spirits in the air That still drew breath in darkened woods so native and so rare. Promises silently waited behind the black primeval veil For teens to wander curiously on nature's many trails. Blood stirred by new sensations shot quickly to hungry hearts Past judgments and restrictions set to keep dark souls apart. With pranks and rash intrusions, with laughter and with fear, Some dared to tempt the darkness deep while some kept wanderings near. Some could barely sense the scars that night seared fiery on their souls. Some left all their inhibitions there, not once more to control. Some felt entwined in gentle words; some fell victim to false rhyme. Some passed the bounds of passionate; some barely touched the line. But all who took the ride that night looked Dionysus in the face. And many awaited the daylight sun to beg Apollo's grace. So, when summer nights grow restless for mystery and desire A V-eight ride on dark forest roads ignites a sacred fire. Free roaming in the natural world and waiting for a mind Is darkness, an old friend of youth, the keeper of its kind. Frank Thompson March 2009

Are You Heterochromia?

A person who has different amounts of melanin in each of the irises has a condition known as Heterochromia iridium, a scientific name for two different color eyes in the same individual. Though relatively rare in humans, it happens when something has gone a bit wrong in making eye color, or if the body happens to shut off a gene in only some cells in the body. According to Dr. Azita Alizadeh of Stanford University, Heterochromia can be the result of too much or too little pigment in the iris of one eye. Less or no pigment gives blue eyes, more pigment gives green, and a lot of pigment gives brown eyes. A person may actually have a different set of eye color genes in each eye. Heterochromia can be attributed to genetics, to disease, or to injury. Some famous people with Heterochromia reportedly are David Bowie, Christopher Walken, Kiefer Sutherland, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Seymour, and Alexander the Great. Carleton Coon created a chart of eye color by the Martin-Schultz scale that includes amber, blue, brown, gray, green, hazel, red and violet. But, the perception of eye color is dependent on viewing conditions (such as the amount and type of illumination and the hue of the surrounding environment) and color is based on a continuum of dark brown shades to light blue shades. Whatever eye color(s) you possess, you must agree the human eye is a true marvel. Here are some nuggets of human eye trivia that may amuse. 1. The eyes are composed of more than 2 million working parts. 2. Babies cry but don't produce tears until one to three months after birth. 3. The older the eyes, the less tears they produce. 4. Of all the muscles in the body, the eye muscles are the most active. 5. 80% of what is learned is learned through the eyes. 6. The cornea is the only living tissue in the body that does not contain any blood vessels. 7. The eyebrows' purpose is to keep sweat from running into the eyes. 8. The eyelashes are home to microscopic creatures that fight off bad bacteria from the outside world.

I Want To Write...

I think it would great some day to have something profound to say: something everyone would read and find worthwhile. This piece of writing would be novel and in no way trite restatement of worn sentiment or of overstated point of view. In fact, the writing would be revolutionary in content and style. How gratifying this would be to have people say, "I believe in your words." My mind relies on my keyboard to lead me from word to thought then to idea, but in my conscious journey to find words and phrases, I become more fluent as unconsciousness enters the mix. Very simply, I can't create anything without starting to find what my conscious mind did not know was there. Then, sometimes the writing flows strong and fluent, but sometimes it quickly turns into a trickle. I know the value of words wasted and words saved. So, my strongest piece of writing is buried in my mind while I tap around the keyboard waiting for its unscheduled release. Frustrated enough, I usually settle for this practice without a thrilling outcome and tell myself the future holds better production and stronger style. I satisfy myself by writing another day. I know exactly what I want to tell the readers in my best writing. It's not really that difficult to understand, and I feel more purpose when my emotions press a little deeper through my thick skin. I want to write something that lets people confront themselves with truth, a truth much more than justice. I want to let them see that love is all that matters. Without it, we must all cease to exist. A million writers have found expression for this theme with their great written works. To find the words within myself to add anything to their accounts is quite a personal labor. As of yet, I am not satisfied with the words I put on paper. The best I can do is write a ton of jumbled ideas and unread ramblings. I write to practice stretching my unconscious connections to some discovery of meaning I have yet captured on paper. As long as I write, the journey continues. As a composition teacher, I read tremendous papers, so many I could not count. When my students struck their fires, they made no mention of their great ideas. Their words led them to meaning and they found accurate description and concrete detail to paint the scenes. The paper that really mattered was simple in its truth, a truth confronted on white paper.

A Baseball World

I remember when a new baseball was my world. As I took it from its box, I admired its unmarred ivory beauty and felt its perfect roundness in my young hand. I carefully turned the white globe until my fingers and thumb found their place along its red, raised seams and smooth cover. Then, as I lifted it to my face, I inhaled its leathery cowhide scent, as if I were smelling the fragrant petals of a pearly rose. The ball spoke of Tufted grassy outfields with Dusty white-chalked diamonds and Rough-cut wooden benches in dugouts made of blocks. The ball spoke of Sizzling wisps of fastballs igniting Wooden bat explosions and Tanned hands of leather popping while grabbing red hot liners. The ball spoke of Perfect sweet spot slugs reverberating down through tight muscles Before breathless flights to empty bases and Strawberry stings of hook slides into tagging waves of hands. In its state of simple perfection, my baseball had no equal. No time marked its progressions through catches, throws, and hits. I could never possess all the knowledge that lay deep within its cover though the years that I spent learning its secrets flew quickly through my hands. Today, I long to step onto a field and put the baseball back in action- to let it dance with its carefree grace and to return my youthful presence to a dream world pulled from a little cardboard box. I think human souls eternal may play baseball in their heaven since baseball was a true slice of heaven to many, like me, while on earth.

If I Only Had a Brain

A UCLA study in the Journal of Neuroscience has found that the smarter the person, the faster information zips around the brain And this ability to think quickly apparently is inherited. But, the good news for people who have not inherited "fast brains" is that thinking makes the brain stronger and faster by working it out, much like running or weightlifting strengthens the body. The brain is like a muscle. Richard Haier Ph.D., says: "The more you work it, the more efficient it gets." So, people who practice an instrument, or do math problems, or learn a foreign language are strengthening certain pathways in their brains. The "wires" between the brain cells seem to be what is actually made stronger with such mental exercise. And the research also reports that brains, unlike bodies, actually peak late in life (40's-50's-60's). In another brain study from the University of Pittsburgh, the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that female brain cells exhibited less signs of breakdown than male cells after nutrient deprivation. In other words, female neurons are more able to survive starvation than male neurons. I think this may be the reason males are always hungry and ready for the dinner table. For men, any sign of hunger threatens survival. Of course, this research would also explain why Adam's first words to Eve were, "What's for dinner, honey?" As for the "faster brain" research, the older I get, the more my brain seems to slow down. Maybe I need more brain exercise to have a nice peak somewhere in my 60's. But at 58, I feel I may have already peaked and then some.

President Obama Bowls

When President Obama appeared on The Tonight Show Thursday, he told host Jay Leno about practicing at the White House's bowling alley. He said he wasn't happy with his score of 129. Then, he added, "It was like the Special Olympics or something." Of course in 2007, Don Imus eventually lost his CBS radio show and its MSNBC simulcast for calling the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos” on the air. Also in 2007, Al Sharpton made this remark concerning presidential candidate Mitt Romney: "As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation." And, who can forget when, in 2006, Seinfeld actor and comedian Michael Richards lost his temper and issued a racial tirade during a performance at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. President Obama, Imus, Sharpton, and Richards all apologized for their comments to various organizations and individuals that they may have offended. Yet, in varying degrees, the damage had already been done. One would think they would have known better before delivering their distasteful utterances. Whether done unintentionally or intentionally, using improper, inconsiderate language in public gets people into trouble. Now, society, in general, has a critical ear tuned to celebrities and anyone else in the public arena. The media is quick to react to any faux pas and even quicker to inflate such a blunder to stir interest. When is too much control, too much? Granted, the question may be "Are we becoming too politically correct?" For example, groups have expressed their disapproval of wishing someone a "Merry Christmas" during the holidays. Are we in danger of losing Christmas trees and decorations as well as Nativity scenes. After all, didn't Rev. Jesse Jackson, President Bush and others admonish us not to use the term "refugee" when describing the New Orleans citizens who fled their homes during Hurricane Katrina? They said or implied the term is "racially insensitive." Maybe, the phrase "anything you say can and will be used against you" applies to more than just a reading of legal rights during arrest.

Kansas Bigamy Case

A 61-year-old Kansas man has been arrested and charged with bigamy this week because he is allegedly married to two women (both in their 50's) who lived in the same apartment complex. Officials were called to the complex in November (2008) when his second wife confronted the man in his first wife's apartment and found out he was married to someone else. He and his first wife had been married for 22 years while the second marriage occurred in January 2006. I must admit this man must have some savvy for being able to get away with this dual relationship for almost three years. I mean, how did he handle customary family responsibilities, especially during times like holidays and celebratory events? I bet Christmases and anniversaries were real riots. And how about keeping good graces with two mother-in-laws? This man's life will probably be made into a sitcom. Maybe the extremely close proximity of his two wives actually aided his crime because the same complex would be the last place many would look for another lover. In his favor, it certainly made his spousal contacts convenient and less costly considering the price of gas and other travel expenses. I think the boldface bravado of the man bothers me the most. After all, cheating is bad enough, but bigamy is worse. Reportedly benefiting from the money both relationships provided him, the husband represents the worst kind of user. In this case, what kind of punishment would represent the best justice? I think a judge should sentence him to work two shifts for the next twenty years as "Torn Between Two Lovers" plays over and over on Musak and make him provide his paychecks to be equally distributed between his soon-to-be ex-wives.

Something Left With Silent Footsteps

Careful not to brush a heart string, Something crept so lightly by That the heart did not awaken To the noiseless flight. Aided by the growing darkness, And cloaked in dark disguise, The eyes saw no reflection As it left before the light. Soft arts so skillfully mastered, Love's caresses it did feign. The light touch felt just deceptions Like wisps of gentle rain. Fear left no telltale traces To be drawn from the rigid air. The nose smelled no abandon In liberty so rare. No prior spoons gave reference Of feeding subtle change. The mouth did not detect a thing, Hid cleverly in its brain. Only one hint was uncovered Found in essence, not in form. The gut felt pricks of loneliness As the gap was being torn. When the soul confirmed the absence Of something from its place, It cried for its return in time And searched to fill its space. Something in the meantime Had sped miles to find a place Where happiness grew new each day With smiles on every face. Did something every find it? No one will likely know. The missing parts of people Seldom ever show. Frank Thompson March, 2009

Cage Fights At School?

According to Fox News, a 2008 report from Dallas School District's Office of Professional Responsibility found that a then-principal of a Dallas high school (between 2003 and 2005) knew of the practice of putting students in a steel utility cage to battle it out with bare fists and without head protection. The office's documents report that the principal "knew of the practice, allowed it to go on for a time, and failed to report it."

The cage fighting was allegedly uncovered during an investigation into grade-changing for student athletes that eventually cost the school their 2006 boys state basketball championship, a Dallas paper reported. The principal resigned in 2008 after the grade-changing investigation ended.

Of course, the principal denies having any knowledge of cage fighting at the school. But, many of the staff named in the report are still employed at the school. These shocking findings beg further investigation.

Barbarity to appease justice? One must wonder what injuries, physical and mental, may have occurred to how many students during the practice. Corporal punishment in some sick sense? How could this have been condoned for three years without public outcry and prosecution? Granted, many believe that discipline, in general, is lacking in the majority of America's public high schools; however, the administration that chooses to wield authority by allowing the use of closed fists to settle school matters practices sheer stupidity.

I taught in the public school system for 27 years, and I have witnessed and broken up many unauthorized student fights in hallways, outside buildings, and even in classrooms. I want to tell you the nature of the majority of the fights I witnessed.

1. Most of the fights were not fair. They usually involved a bigger student striking a smaller student first. Clearly, the aggressor did not want to fight an equal opponent, but he chose to earn his idiotic badge of "Mr. Tough Guy" by pummeling some poor student half his size.

2. Most of the fights were over remarks (which were often erroneous) made by a third party (who often wanted to see blood). For example, Billy told Johnny that Freddy had said Johnny's girlfriend had gone out with Freddy. The fights usually built up all day with rumor and name-calling until the opponents squared off surrounded by a blood-thirsty mob of students. Seldom did students break up a fight unless they saw serious damage.

3. Most of the fights didn't solve problems; instead, the fights led to further confrontations between the participants or their families. In other words, "truth" to each family involved depended upon their student's interpretation of events, not the school's supposedly thorough investigations. The families often fought each other, or the participants sometimes fought again after suspensions.

4. Most of the fights disrupted the learning processes of the entire school. Whispers and allegations spread like wildfire through the campus during fight day. Old hatreds were often rekindled because the "Tough Guys" had to be extra macho with blood in the air. Bad attitudes surfaced, and sometimes groups eventually fought each other.

5. Many of the fights resulted in serious injury. Scarred faces, lost teeth, broken bones, severe lacerations and bruises, serious concussions-- Thank God, in my district, no deaths. In a nearby district, however, a student ultimately died as a result of one punch to the abdomen. High school students are very strong and unaware of their strength while feeling bullet proof in a fight.

6. Many of the fights were comprised of "sucker punches" and other equally nasty tactics. Students, hostile and unconcerned about the welfare of others, often chose to get an unfair advantage by using whatever means available at the time.

7. Many of the students, after maturing, were genuinely sorry to have hurt another human being and now live with that regret.

In summary, fighting in school is terrible, no matter how it occurs. Wake up students, parents, staff, administration, and school boards to the fact that fighting must be stopped to insure the public safety.

A Baby Pigeon?

Someone asked me the other day if I had ever seen a baby pigeon. I must have been the last person alive to consider the answer, but I had to admit that since I have never raised pigeons, I had never seen a baby one anywhere. So my answer to the question was, "No, I have never seen a baby pigeon." Although I was sure they existed, I had no explanation for having never seen one. And, I thought the question was pretty intriguing. It turns out baby pigeons are left in the nest until they can be taught how to fly, and this is usually done away from sight. They are fed with partially digested food by the parents (a high fat, high protein diet that makes them grow very quickly) and then when they are old enough to resist predators they can be brought out to forage for food. So, when they do come within our sight in their natural environment, they look almost identical to full-grown birds. I began to wonder what other intriguing questions and answers I could find. 1. Do people who are born blind see images in their dreams? No, but they do have dreams equally vivid involving their other senses of sound, smell, touch and emotion. 2. Who, in terms of IQ, is the smartest person in the world? According to Guinness Book of Records, the smartest person in the world is Marily vos Savant, who scored IQ 228 Terman as a 10 year old. This would correspond to about IQ 185 at adult age. 3. Can you name some famous living personalities with very high IQ? James Woods 180, Bill Gates 160, Quinton Tarantino 160, Sharon Stone 154, Madonna 140. 4. Why are eyes closed when we sleep? People can sleep with their eyes open, but usually when we sleep, our eyes are closed. There are 2 primary reasons for this. First, distracting sensory stimuli (lights, noises, etc.) can interfere with sleep, and closing your eyes greatly reduces visual input. Second, closing your eyelids protects your eyes from foreign objects and from drying out during sleep. 5. When atheists go to court, they can't swear on the Bible, can they? Atheists who are open about their world views regarding faith or religion normally make an affirmation, which has the same force in law as an oath. If an atheist chose to take an oath, without revealing his or her beliefs, then the oath would be binding in law. 6. Is it better to be right or left hand dominant? Although reviews are mixed as to advantages and disadvantages of being left-handed, Chris McManus of University College of London argues that the proportion of left-handers is rising and left-handed people as a group have historically produced an above-average quota of high achievers. He says that left-handers' brains are structured differently in a way that widens their range of abilities, and the genes that determine left-handedness also govern development of the language centres of the brain. 7. Is it best to be ambidextrous? Ambidextrous tendencies may mean better memory, but Leading British psychiatrist Prof. Tim Crow believes he can show that ambidextrous children are less intelligent than their peers - and his theory could even shed light on schizophrenia. Crow says, "People who are truly ambidextrous are slower to develop verbal and non-verbal skills. It's the predictor of both reading difficulties at the age of 16 and psychosis."

Lyrics and Popular Songs

I love music. Here are some songs I was thinking about that simply must be heard as performed by the songwriter to be appreciated. Maybe you have heard another artist's recording of the song, but sometimes the song takes on new meaning and beauty when the songwriter performs it. Here are a few I recommend you try if you've never heard them performed by the writer. "Galveston" and "The Worst That Could Happen" Jimmy Webb "On Your Way Down" Allen Toussaint "Bird On a Wire" and "Hallelujah" Leonard Cohen "Alison" Elvis Costello "Desperadoes Waiting For a Train" Guy Clark "How Long" J.D. Souther "After Midnight" J.J. Cale "Have a Little Faith In Me" John Hiatt "Bad Boy" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" Larry Williams "A Song For You" Leon Russell "A Change Is Gonna Come" Sam Cooke "All Along the Watchtower" and "Blowin' In the Wind" Bob Dylan "City Of New Orleans" Steve Goodman "The Harlem Shuffle" Bob (Relf and Earl (Lee) "Into the Mystic" and "Have I Told You Lately (Love You) Van Morrison "Mystery Train" Junior Parker (and Sam Phillips) "Till I Gain Control" Rodney Crowell "Pink Cadillac" and "Blinded By the Light" Bruce Springsteen "I Shot the Sheriff" Bob Marley "Wide River To Cross" Buddy Miller "True Love Ways" Buddy Holly "People Get Ready" Curtis Mayfield (and The Impressions) "Stoned Soul Picnic"" Laura Nyro "Ol' 55" Tom Waits "Please Send Me Somebody To Love" Percy Mayfield "Mama Told Me Not To Come" Randy Newman "Anna" and "You Better Move On" Arthur Alexander "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Rock and Roll Music" Chuck Berry Please comment and add to the list. This just scratches the surface of some great songs.

Today, We're All Irish?

Today is March 17, St. Patrick's Day, and the day that everyone in the United States celebrates the people and traditions of the Emerald Isle. People of Irish descent are the second largest self-reported ethnic group in the United States, after German Americans. Nine of the signatories of the American Declaration of Independence were of Irish origin, among them the sole Catholic signatory, Charles Carroll of Carrollton. And, at least twenty-five Presidents have some Irish ancestral origins, including George Washington. So, American ties with the Irish have historically been and remain very strong. Today I wondered a little about why, especially since German Americans have represented the largest ethnic-origin group in the United States for almost its entire history (including before independence), Americans don't celebrate a holiday that distinguishes American German origins. I am aware that the World Wars may have had something to do with a lack of interest in promoting German pride in the States; however, I think most of that negative sentiment has died down. Oktoberfests are popular events during the fall all across America. Maybe we should put one common day aside to drink some beer and eat some German food. I'm always in favor of celebrating another holiday.

I Pray For Soldiers Every Day

I pray for soldiers every day Who stand in foreign lands To guard our precious liberties From those with evil plans. They sacrifice for you and me Their sweat, their youth, their blood As willingly they serve the flag They fly, respect, and love. The best of us are far away In burning heat and sand But long to be safely back at home From Iraq and Afghanistan. God bless their missions from above With might and right and truth And save each one as duty calls To testify as proof. To those who want to find the strong The proof of service stands. Strong testimony are those who give Their best to lend a hand. Free souls on earth some day may dwell Each place upon the globe: A dream that guides our hopes and keeps Our troops on many roads. I pray for peace with all my might And know freedom is not free As sons and daughters take up the fight To win the victory. Soldiers know the cost of war Much better than the rest. To lose a friend they love and trust Leaves scars upon the breast. It's not merely for their country; Soldiers risk their lives to save Your way of life and comfort here In the real world U.S.A. I pray for soldiers every day. And beg you to do the same. You know that God is hearing you He knows each one by name. --Frank Thompson, March 2009

Have You Lost Your Faith?

So, you have lost your faith? Blades of green squeeze through the March winter coat On a journey to recover the cold landscape With lush new life Once again confirming the promise of nature's cycle Of growth and rebirth. So, you have lost your faith? A child's contagious laugh rings sweet and pure To remind an old man of innocent days And prove joy still abounds As the sound echoes in his heart To ignite a candle that warms his soul. So, you have lost your faith? Two old friends engage in a friendly embrace To make amends for the unforgiving past That once soiled the friendship and stained the affection Built on years of loyalty and trust To be nearly discarded to the hunger of pride. So, you have lost your faith? A long-forgotten image emerges from a page And grasps her hand through memories of love Shared long ago in simpler times When dreams inflated her life As air swelled her lungs. So, you have lost your faith? A soul finds the eyes of another with a smile And mouths a faint "thank you" That does not have to be said But speaks volumes of kindness As a most rare treasure found. So, you have lost your faith? Do you open your eyes to the goodness in life Or try to find something here to disprove The existence of a hand Much greater than yours In every creation you observe?

Smiles Interpreted

A human smile is a universal means of communication, customarily an expression of pleasure or amusement, but the smile can be an involuntary expression of anxiety known as a grimace. A smile is most often motivated by happiness. Among many animal species though, an exposure of teeth is used as a warning display (snarl) or a sign of submission. Doesn't the Homo sapien also exhibit a smile of warning? Research in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology has shown that smiles that reflect actual enjoyment include the activity of the outer muscle that circles the eye more often than when enjoyment is feigned. The smiles intended to conceal strong negative emotions frequently include muscular action around the lips and eyes linked to disgust, fear, contempt or sadness. In essence, this fake smile is one human body signal used to issue a warning. Interestingly, women tend to fake smiles more than men do and are more aware of these smiles. The reason a woman tends to fake more smiles is believed to be that when women become uncomfortable, they put on a smile to show they will do whatever they need to get through a situation. Women smile more to appease. This explanation certainly echoes an animal's teeth-baring submissions. So, yes, a woman's smile can mean, "You're a lucky man," or it can mean, "I'm just about ready to open up a can of whoop ass!" To confuse the issue of a smile's intended body language, research has shown women rate a man as more attractive after they've seen another woman smiling at him. By contrast, being a jealous bunch, male observers rate a man as less attractive after they’ve seen a woman smiling at him. Attractive male competition, for most men, means "three is a crowd." Yet, women are shooting those lovely smiles out like friendly and unfriendly rounds from a machine gun. So, guys, is she smiling to attract you, smiling to repel you, or simply smiling because some other woman has already dumbfounded you with her smile? And, if more than one woman smiles at you, are they all genuine, all faking, or all in a mixed bag of contact and avoidance? Further more, should we even care about a woman's smile or simply study her eyes for the answers? When we think of smiling, we think of the mouth, but many wise heads say that the eyes may actually be more essential to a warm, genuine smile. Smiling with the eyes is difficult to describe--in general the cheekbones lift slightly and the eyebrows dip a little. A woman would likely tell a man this advice about feminine eyes, "When you see it, you know it: it's that look of the eyes "lighting up" or "twinkling." Now, I'm not disputing the powerful attraction of a woman's eyes, but with mascara, eyeliner, false eyelashes, eyebrow pencils, colored contact lenses, foundations, and exotic eye shadow, how the heck are men supposed to judge deception and truth in a woman's eyes? Besides, how many males really remember even the color of an attractive woman's eyes? Especially after the guy has consumed a half dozen Miller Lites? We're pretty sure her eyes are fairly round and pretty confident that she possesses two of them. Other than that, the majority of us seem to get stuck on other parts of her anatomy. Then, often today, men notice a pretty girl's "twinkling" eyes "twinkling" at another pretty, smiling female. Sometimes PDA activity begins, and we men feel like ordering a double shot of oestrogen and Coke or a progesterone martini. Feeling unable to compete with all other "girly men" and all other women, we often feel like the Geico Cavemen. So, ladies, why not give us one huge frown when your first impression of us is negative? That way, we can turn away silently, drop our shoulders in rejection, return to the lonesome corner we came from, and gulp down another six pack. After all, we've already had to slam several drinks to get the courage up to get close to you. Then, right around closing time, we can survey the leftovers who now look better (if we can still see), decide we'd be better off without STD's or further humiliation, and walk home alone.

West Virginia Barbie Doll

? ? Last week West Virginia state lawmaker Jeff Eldridge proposed a bill to legally ban Barbie (and other dolls that promote beauty) from the sales shelves across the state as he believes the busty blonde sends young children the damaging message that looks are everything. I provide you with the actual bill so that (1) you realize this is not a joke, and (2) you can see the actual proposal as presented.

H. B. 2918 (By Delegate Eldridge) [Introduced March 3, 2009; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §47-25-1, relating to banning the sale of "Barbie" dolls and other dolls that influence girls to be beautiful.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated §47-25-1, to read as follows: ARTICLE 25. BARBIE DOLLS. §47-25-1. Unlawful sale of Barbie dolls. It shall be unlawful in the state to sell "Barbie" dolls and other similar dolls that promote or influence girls to place an undue importance on physical beauty to the detriment of their intellectual and emotional development.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to ban the sale of Barbie dolls and other similar dolls.

Now let's talk about the ridiculous waste of time and money spent on this piece of legislation. 1. Barbie is a doll-- a doll! As far as I know she doesn't ask little girls to do anything, much less to pay more importance to physical beauty than to intellectual and emotional development. 2. Barbie is 50 years old, still popular and still fine looking without a single nip or tuck. Maybe Mr. Eldridge should find out whatever Barbie is promoting because she still has it going on. Now, that is intelligent. 3. Mr. Eldridge does not mention Ken, Barbie's stud-like companion in the bill. He states the law will make it "unlawful to sell similar dolls that are a detriment to girls. How does he think Ken makes a boy feel with those perfect rippling dimensions and handsome face? 4. Mr. Eldridge must believe intelligence, emotional development, and beauty do not coexist. I would like to introduce him to some new acquaintances that would beg to differ and would likely make him feel hot under the collar and hot in a few other places, too. 5. Maybe Mr. Eldridge would prefer a Unisex Barbie with optional male/female accessories and a political science degree or the Cross Dressing Lesbian Barbie with Gothic friend Vampiress. 6. Just maybe, Mr. Eldridge should stop looking under Barbie's dress long enough to pay a little more attention to jobs, the economy, and the State of West Virginia. If he can squeeze it into his busy day. 7. Why not ban all dolls.? Fat ones will upset the bulimic people. Skinny ones will upset the fat people. Big boobs, the itty bitty boobed. Itty bitty boobs the silicone sisters. Smart ones will make the dumb people feel inferior. Dumb ones will be the butt of stupid people jokes. Emotionally mature ones will upset the disfunctionally handicapped. Disfunctional ones will be analyzed by the emotionally superior people. They are all potentially negative. 8. And hey, Eldridge, how about G.I. Joe? I don't see you saying girls or boys can't play with him. He would likely kick your Barbie-hating butt and the new ugly doll you rode in on. 9. Mr. Eldridge why don't you quit putting "undue importance" on silly issues that promote the idiocy of congressmen to the detriment of taxpayers' intellectual and emotional development? 10. And, thanks to Barbie4Life for her astute comment about Barbie's resume and 50 year career. Barbie4Life commented more than a week ago:

What I don't understand is why they imply Barbie is not intelligent...she has held careers in most major industries. Take a look at her resume: Education Art teacher (2002) Spanish language teacher (2001) Sign language teacher (1999) Student teacher (1965) Elementary teacher (1985, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2006) Swim Teacher (2005, 2008) Designer (2008) Hair Dresser (2008) Medical Dentist (1997) Medical doctor (1988) Nurse (1961, 2006) Pediatrician (1994, 2000, 2003) Surgeon (1973) Veterinarian (1996, 2007) Military United States Army officer (1989, Desert Storm 1992) United States Air Force jet pilot (1990) United States Air Force Thunderbirds (1993) United States Marine Corps officer (1991) United States Navy officer (1991) Political United States President (2000) Presidential candidate (Barbie for President 1992, 2004) UNICEF Summit diplomat (1990) Ambassador for world peace (1986) Public Service Firefighter (1995) Police officer (1993) Life guard (Baywatch 1994) Canadian Mountie (2005) (available only in Canada) Transportation Astronaut (1965, 1985, 25th Apollo 1994) Flight Attendant (American Airlines 1961, PanAm 1966, Flight Time 1989) NASCAR driver (1998) Pilot (1990) Misc. Babysitter (Barbie Babysits 1963) Business executive (Day to Night 1984) Cowgirl (1981) Chef (1996) Paleontologist (1997) McDonald's cashier (1983) Starfleet officer (2000) Soda fountain Waitress (Coca Cola Series 1998) See's Candy cashier (2002) Spice Girl barbies Disney Princess barbies DC Comics superheroines