Embrace Love

Generally, I avoid getting into situations that may cause conflict. It's just not who I am or want to be. I like being around people who are fun loving, kind, and generally have a positive outlook. They experience hardship and disappointment. They've been hurt at times. But rather than harden themselves, they become more tender and caring. Being around them is uplifting. It makes me want to be a better person.
Engaging with angry, bitter, and distrustful people does the opposite. It tempts me to return anger, to feel bitter, and to be less trustful - especially in relation to them. It's spiritually wrong. We are commanded to love one another.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth."
So how do we love through conflict and disagreement? We may need to step away. We may need to distance ourselves and become introspective. Put on a shield of love. Find safe space and pray not just for them but that you may be more loving in all the ways "Love is". Be patient. Be kind. Do not envy. Do not boast. Shed pride. Do not engage in rudeness. Don't flame anger. Keep no record of perceived  wrong-doing. Don't look for evil. Seek joy in truth.
At the moment, I am thankful that someone reminded me to look at my spiritual self in the face of anger.
I embrace love and loving memories.

Hooked on Media Crack

One of the things that saddens me is how disinformation has become so engrained in our digital mass media, some "news" media, and woven deeply into the political fabric of the country. These are the "alternate fact" sources that aim to weave distrust into the hearts and minds of those who are susceptible to their tactics. And we are all susceptible to one degree or another.
There are a few simple things a person can do to avoid getting too sucked in. First, identify the source of the information. If they have created a name or domain that ties in a major, more trusted, news source such as PBS, NBC, CBS, BBC, along with some extension, they are suspect. Just their name is intentionally misleading. Quite likely, the story they are telling is misleading as well.
Next, is how they present the story. If it includes "here's something the media won't tell you", there's probably a reason the media isn't telling you. It cannot be substantiated. Reliable news sources verify stories. Yes, they make mistakes and sometimes get taken in themselves, but their percentages are pretty good. Some better than others.
Finally, if the style of presentation is emotionally charged, be skeptical. Sometimes a set of facts can leave us feeling emotional but if the presentation is a constant call to be outraged or angry and distrustful of others, the goal is to try to get us to react with our emotions rather than our heads. If you find yourself constantly needing to dial into emotionally charged news sources, you're hooked on media crack.
The result is that no one can tell you that something you believe is not true. You will dismiss fact checking. You will tune out or become angry with reliable news sources because they are not hitting the emotional buttons required to satisfy the loop you have entered. You won't listen to differing views and you'll become unable to present yours without injecting emotion. You'll be fixated on the smallest misstep of reliable sources but totally overlook obvious and consistent mis-information from your favorite sources.
We all need to step back and do a gut check. I find myself getting a bit snarky from time to time. Those are times I think I should step back, take a deep breath and let the other person have the last word no matter how I might feel about it. Then scrutinize myself with the same level of attention I may be directing at others.

The fear of Socialism

"Who would believe we'd ever have a socialist running for president?"
We'll hear this a lot over the coming months. For many, socialist is a bad word and they will point to socialist regimes that turned into dictatorships. I share that distain for dictatorships!
Fact is that we already had a president who was accused of being both a socialist and a communist.

When he introduced the New Deal in the middle of the Great Depression, Franklin Roosevelt was harshly criticized. 

"Roosevelt is a socialist, not a Democrat," declared Republican Rep. Robert Rich of Pennsylvania during a debate on the House floor on July 23, 1935. That remark came after Republicans hinted they were considering a move to impeach Roosevelt, according to the New York Times .

• "The New Deal is now undisguised state socialism, declared Senator Simeon D. Fess (R-Ohio) today as he pictured President Roosevelt as the New Deal's leading socialist," reported the Chicago Daily Tribune on Aug. 7, 1934. "The president's recent statements," Fess said, "remove any doubt of his policy of state socialism, which necessitates increased activities of the government in either ownership or operation of industry, or both."

FDR's New Deal was radical. He promised a "chicken in every pot." He created the WPA, a government paid worker program that created a wide array of jobs, including those for artists, photographers and writers. We have Social Security, medicare and unemployment compensation today because of that "socialist" president. 

Very few citizens today would eliminate Social Security, medicare or unemployment compensation. When congressmen refer to these as "entitlement" programs, most of us respond; "Yes we are entitled to them. We paid into them." Very few of us call them "socialist" programs as they were when they were first introduced.

It's prudent to look at any government spending and determine how it's going to be funded.  Our enormous deficit should not be ignored. (If you look closely at government spending, it's not social programs that have caused it but that's another topic.) Social programs fall into two categories: Investment and Insurance. The WPA was an investment. Social Security, medicare and unemployment compensation are insurance programs. As we consider social programs, and arguably any government spending, we should determine which category it falls under and what the return will be for society.

If we look at the WPA as an investment, what was the return? At the time, unemployment was about 23%. No one was untouched by the effects of such massive unemployment. As people returned to the workforce through the WPA, more jobs were created elsewhere. As more people had money to buy goods and services, the economy improved and more people were paying taxes. If you visit a national park or state park, you're likely to discover infrastructure that was built by WPA workers. This investment paid off in huge returns.

As insurance programs, Social Security, medicare and unemployment compensation are dependent upon enough people paying in to cover what's coming out. As long as the balance is right, these are not problematic social programs. As with other types of insurance, some will pay and never use the insurance while others will use more than they paid in. These programs need to be managed well and protected from fraud, waste and abuse. AND stop calling them entitlement programs! When we pay for insurance, we are entitled to use them when we need them!!

Well managed social programs build a stronger society. Don't get caught up in the buzzwords and miss the importance of considering how the ideas being presented may actually benefit our country. As FDR once said, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself". This country was built on new and bold ideas. Let's not stop at fear.

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What to do with the alarming...

It's disturbing to me that this president's attorney actually argued, in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, that he could shoot someone on fifth avenue and not be stopped, investigated or prosecuted while in office. This argument was part of the effort to avoid release of a portion of the president's tax forms.
It's disturbing to me that this president has worked so hard to create a cloud of distrust of many of our institutions; the CIA, FBI, Justice System, media and even the National Weather Service.
It's disturbing to me that this president shows an affinity for totalitarian leaders; Putin, Kim Jong Un, Erdogan, Xi Jinping, Duterte, Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud and others like them.
While I could list dozens of things that this president has done and said that are disturbing, these are the most concerning. Like totalitarian leaders, this president constantly demonstrates that every institution should be a tool he can use to solidify and wield his personal power and control. Most important is the control of information. Public release of his financial ties is just the tip of the iceberg of hidden and/or massively distorted information.
It's disturbing that only a little over half the citizens of this country are concerned and aware. How can this be? Control of information! Those who love this president all have one thing in common. They consistently watch one source for their information and are convinced that mainstream news sources report "fake news". This causes them to dismiss any factual information that is contrary to what is reported by this one information source.
It seems best to avoid discussion with them. They quickly jump to "but Obama", "but Hillary", "but the economy", "you hate him because..." or the favorite "those democrats." It's baffling. Recently, one of these people told me we can no longer uses the term "coronavirus" because it's racial. I was confused and asked what was racial. "You know Corona, the Mexican beer." Then he launched into how messed up the world is now. I was silenced and mystified. So I did some quick checking later with a dozen news sources or so including The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, CBS, ABC, AP, and others. They are all still calling it coronavirus. I can only assume it was something Rush or Hannity said and he believed it. I shudder to think of what other things he and others are hearing that they blindly believe are true.
It's difficult not get discouraged. My personal focus is to broaden my sources of information. There's a great chart on media bias that is good to keep close at hand. It takes work to build awareness of your own bias and try to balance it out. I try to separate fact from hype. I avoid name calling and the inclination to bite back. I look for the humanity in the person standing before me no matter what they are saying. Seek truth for yourself. Be kind, loving and humble. I choose to believe that time has a way of revealing truth. Kindness, love and humility will enable its emergence.
Realize that those who love this president are very entrench and have often have limited their informational context. I now totally avoid direct engagement. Once in a while, it bleeps out in front of me. (like the coronavirus) I'll let them talk then may ask a question but avoid an argument. Then I work to change the subject. The real work then follows to not allow it to affect how I treat this person in the future.
When the experience sticks with me, I write. I may be writing a lot in the coming months.

Milestones and traditions build a great year.

Milestones and traditions are very important. Around Thanksgiving, I begin to reflect on all the things that have happened throughout the year and how this year is better. Yes, there are often losses as well, but I focus on what is better. It's fun to share with those around me. "Look how far we have come. Imagine what the next year will bring." Then, I begin to envision the next year.
Now in my autumn years, I so wish this had been my practice 40 years ago. Thinking about that makes me determined to plant the seed with those younger people around me. "Look how far you have come. Imagine what the next year will bring." It's ok to acknowledge the losses. Focus on what is better. Envision the place you want to be a year from now.
With that in mind, the place I want to be is less stressed. Not that now is bad but next year I see being better. How? And how does that happen? What stresses me? Perhaps more important is what gets me excited and gives me energy?
I'm most energized when a plan come together and exceeds expectations. When results are measurable, I love it more. When it's shared success, I love it even more. That tells me my focus for this year. Make a plan. Include measurable results. Share the plan with those around me who can share in the success.
As I share my plan with those around me, I am keen to hear their plans for the next year. That's where we find collaborative opportunity. Two, four, six, eight - Success multiplies and collaborators benefit in much greater sums than the individual components. The collaboration can be messy and challenging but stay focused on the opportunity and shared successes. Measure milestones and create traditions.
What is exciting me about 2020 is to know I am surrounded by inspired collaborators. I have a plan. It is measurable. I can share it with those trusted collaborators. Make your plan. If I can be part of it, share it with me. Let's celebrate a great year!!!

Twenty Years ago in the circle

Twenty years ago I went to a community meeting. Just months before, I had purchased a house in Franklin and was more than a little uncertain about deciding to move back to the town I had run from the moment I graduated from High School. I left believing this place was too small, too stuck in its ways, and had no room for me.
I don't remember what that meeting was about or why I decided to go. I only recall that there were many non-profit agencies represented and at some point, I let them know I was a videographer and want to help in some way. At the time, I was the corporate videographer for Joy. I wasn't looking for paid work.
The phone didn't ring right away but the calls came. At "River Romp", I captured Kurt Steiner breaking the stone skipping world record. Then came some fun guerilla video work (my favorite challenge) where I was asked to bring a camera with a blind suggestion to capture something talking about the value of a play spot on Allegheny. Another time, I was asked to capture a video about Oil City that might catch the attention of Ellen DeGenerous. You can find that one - "Hub of Oildom" - on Youtube. It didn't catch her attention but it was great fun doing.
With those videos, I met great people who are friends today. Those videos led to more videos and bigger video projects and more friends. The connections, the friends, the opportunities that grew before my eyes led to more than video projects and bigger dreams.
Today the community that I thought I needed to flee seems huge, full of opportunity and the perfect place for me to grow and thrive.
I'm still producing videos - most of which are for non-profits. I'm retired from Joy. And I'm running a music store in my home town - something I would never have imagined 20 years ago and certainly not when I grew up here so many years ago.
Life takes big circles. I'm liking this side of the circle.

I pledge allegiance...

Throughout our lives we have stood before the flag and pledged our allegiance to the United States of America. One flag. One country.
When we begin to add other flags to that pole, we begin to divide. "A house divided cannot stand." This is why I oppose the flying of the confederate flag. It represents a divided nation not the United State. It separates us.
During elections in this country, we have historically sported buttons, placed signs, attached bumper stickers, adorned hats and t-shirt, etc for the candidate we support. Historically, at the end of the election, the signs come down and the other election memorabilia goes in the drawer or in the trash. The elected officials begin their task of governing. They disagree and work on their perceived best policies but the focus is supposed to be actual governing - working for the benefit of those they represent.
Oddly, in recent years, the signs did not come down, the hats did not come off and one name is proudly displayed in yards and on flags. It's as if their allegiance is to that name first or is somehow equal to allegiance to the United States. It's as though that name is now branded onto the United States flag. Defending that name is now equal to defense of the country no matter what that person does.
It's a disturbing dynamic. 
That person has attorney's arguing that they cannot be investigated, impeded or arrested for shooting a person on fifth avenue. 
I took another oath.
...I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same...
And then there is a problem. What follows is a promise to obey the orders of the president - commander in chief. What if that commander is violating the Constitution I also swore to support and defend?
For me, the answer is easy. "I pledge allegiance to the United States of America.. and "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic. I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same."