CONSENTING ADULTS AND NATIONAL NAGS

AVITW

I SEE THAT THERE WAS A HURRICANE (KATRINA) OF EPIC PROPORTIONS THREATENING THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF A PORTION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT. SINCE IT "LANDED" AND FULFILLED ITS PROMISE, ONLY TO BE FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER, NAMED RITA, THE NATION AND WORLD ARE WELL AWARE OF THE CONSEQUENCES. HOWEVER, THE DESTRUCTION FROM THESE NATURAL DISASTERS IS REALLY A SMALL FRACTION OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THIS PLANET IF THE NUMBER ONE IMPENDING DISASTER IS NOT SOON RECOGNIZED AND SUMMARILY DEALT WITH.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF NATURAL DISASTERS, WHICH ARE NOT WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF HUMANS TO PREVENT ARE, HOWEVER, SUBJECT TO MITIGATION, NOT THAT ANY POLITICAL BODY OR THEIR AGENTS OF SELF-PROPAGATION ARE LIKELY TO FACILITATE THESE MEASURES, UNLESS THERE ARE VOTES TO BE HAD AND CREDIT TO BE GARNERED FOR THEIR EFFORTS. IT IS POSTULATED THAT THE PROMISED RESTITUTION TO "MAKE WHOLE" THE UNFORTUNATE VICTIMS WILL DWINDLE INTO A SMALL FRACTION OF THE "PROMISED GOODIES" AND LAY BARE THE POSTURING OF THE AFOREMENTIONED CULPRITS WHO DID LITTLE BEFORE THE FORESEEABLE EVENT AND WILL PROBABLY NOT GREATLY ENHANCE THEIR PERFORMANCE IN THE FUTURE, BUT I DIGRESS.

BY FAR, THE GREATEST THREAT TO THE SURVIVAL OF THE SPECIES HAS BEEN GENERATED BY THE HUMAN RACE IT NOW THREATENS TO ENGULF. PENDING AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME TO DEAL WITH THE "BIG ONE", IT SEEMED PRUDENT TO USE A PORTION OF THE LIMITED TIME ALLOTTED TO THE AUTHOR TO DEAL WITH ONE OF THE MINOR IRRITATIONS OF LIFE. THAT IS NOT TO IMPLY THAT THE CONDITION WILL EVER CHANGE, AS A NEW CROP OF SELF-APPOINTED "SAVIORS" REACH MATURITY EACH YEAR, WITHIN THE VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS OF THE WORLD, HARBORING BUT ONE BURNING DESIRE AND THAT IS TO FORCE OTHERS TO CONFORM TO THEIR CONCEPT OF "CORRECT" BEHAVIOR, BE IT THROUGH KILLING NON-CONFORMISTS OR PROHIBITING THE WEARING OF THE LATEST FASHIONS AT THE BEACH.
THE MOST OBVIOUS OF THE "USUAL SUSPECTS" ARE THOSE INDOCTRINATED BY THE VARIOUS RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD. FROM THE CATHOLICS AND SOME PROTESTANTS, AS WELL AS THE VARIOUS EASTERN RELIGIONS AND NOW MUSLIMS, COME THE "ABSOLUTE TRUTHS", AS REVEALED TO THEM BY SOME FORM OF DEITY, CONCERNING EVERYTHING FROM THE EXACT INSTANT LIFE BEGINS, BY THOSE WHOSE AREA OF EXPERTISE PRESUMABLY LIES OUTSIDE OF THE FIELD OF MICROBIOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCE; TO WHAT WE SHOULD BELIEVE, EAT, WEAR, SAY, DO AND NOT DO; HOW WE SHOULD RELATE SOCIALLY AND/OR SEXUALLY; HOW CHILDREN SHOULD BE BRAINWASHED (NOT EDUCATED) WITHIN THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THEY CONTROL, AND HOW GOVERNMENTS, THROUGH THEIR POWER TO DESTROY INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVE, THOUGHT, ORIGINALITY AND CONDUCT, SHOULD EXPEND A HUGE PORTION OF THEIR RESOURCES TO CONTROL THEIR FREEDOM SEEKING SUBJECTS, WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, EXTORTING FROM THESE UNRULY, IRRESPONSIBLE AND INCREDIBLY STUPID INDIVIDUALS (IN THE PERCEPTIONS OF THOSE WHO WORK IN GOVERNMENT AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS), WHOM THEY PERCEIVE AS BEING FUNCTIONALLY UNABLE TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES, THE ECONOMIC LARGESSE TO CONDUCT THEIR REPRESSIVE OPERATIONS, WHILE, COINCIDENTALLY, LINING THEIR OWN POCKETS, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.

WHAT IS LUDICROUS TO THE AUTHOR IS HOW, OVER TIME, THE "ABSOLUTE TRUTH" HAS EVOLVED AND CHANGED TO SUIT THEIR (THE OPPRESSORS ESPOUSING THEIR BRAND OF FREEDOM) EXISTENT PURPOSES. NOT HAVING A DIRECT PIPELINE TO THE ALMIGHTY AND NOT BEING GIVEN TO ASSIGNING DIVINE INSPIRATION TO WHATEVER "NOTIONS" DERIVE TO HIS PERSONAL THOUGHT PROCESSES, THE AUTHOR DOES NOT WISH TO ENTER A DEBATE ABOUT "ABSOLUTE TRUTH", IF IT EXISTS, OR TO CONFRONT THOSE WHO PROFESS TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR GODS, ALTHOUGH IT CERTAINLY STRETCHES CREDULITY.

IN THE PAST, PEOPLE WHO HEARD IMAGINARY VOICES, CONVERSED WITH UNSEEN BEINGS AND DIVINED SUPERNATURAL HAPPENINGS, WERE RELEGATED TO THE LUNATIC FRINGES OF SOCIETY, IF NOT STONED OR IMPRISONED TO PROTECT THOSE PORTIONS OF THE POPULATION THAT RETAINED SOME DEGREE OF REASON AND SANITY. IN THE "MODERN" WORLD, THESE PEOPLE OFTEN OCCUPY PLACES OF INORDINATE POWER, IF NOT PRESTIGE, AND, USING THEIR SELF-PROCLAIMED SUPERIOR INSIGHTS, FORM COMMITTEES AND COALITIONS TO DEAL HARSHLY WITH THOSE WHO "BEG TO DIFFER" AND REFUSE TO AQUIESCE TO THEIR DEMANDS.

IT IS POSTULATED THAT A GOODLY PORTION OF THE RESOURCES OF ANY GIVEN GOVERNMENT, BE IT LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL, OR THE FOREIGN EQUIVALENTS, IS SPENT MONITORING, CONTROLLING. LICENSING, REGULATING AND GENERALLY HARASSING, IF NOT ACTUALLY PERSECUTING, INDIVIDUALS AND ENTREPRENEURS WHO WISH TO LIVE THEIR LIVES ABSENT THE PRESENCE OF THESE CRITICAL, IF NOT HYPOCRITICAL, SELF-APPOINTED REGULATORS AND OPPRESSORS OF FREEDOM.

OF COURSE, ENLARGING THE POOL OF CONTROLLABLE BEHAVIORS, AS IS THE ANNUAL WONT OF LEGISLATIVE WONKS, ENSURES THE CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OF COUNTLESS PEOPLE IN USELESS ENDEAVORS AND PREVENTS THEM FROM EARNING AN HONEST LIVING DOING SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE. ONE SENSES THE COUNTER PRODUCTIVE ELEMENT IN THIS ACTIVITY, BUT DOES NOT ANTICIPATE AN INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE IN HIS LIFETIME. THE TSARS OF PROPRIETY, LIKE THE TSARS OF OLD, WILL NOT RELINQUISH THEIR POWER LIGHTLY. IT SEEMS IRONIC THAT THEIR CONTINUED CRUSADE IS USED TO JUSTIFY THE EXTORTION OF MORE MONEY FROM THE OPPRESSED, WHICH IS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE BUREAUCRATIC EMPIRE FUNCTIONING. AS IN THE "WAR AGAINST TERRORISTS, WHERE THE INTENDED VICTIMS CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NEEDED BY THE TERRORISTS, (THINK OIL) FREEDOM SEEKING INDIVIDUALS ARE CONSTRAINED TO SUPPORT THEIR OPPRESSORS. WHAT THESE ACTIVITIES (TERRORISTIC OR SIMILARLY SPONSORED GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES) DO "NOT" PROVIDE IS FREEDOM TO THE CITIZENS OF ANY GIVEN SOCIETY.

ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE AROSE THE CONCEPT OF THE "VICTIMLESS CRIME". OF COURSE, ANY GIVEN ACTIVITY IS LEGAL, OR CRIMINAL, BASED, NOT ON THE ACTIVITY, BUT UPON THE DECISIONS OF THESE SELF-APPOINTED, OR DULY ELECTED, "SAVIORS" HAVING POWER OVER ANYONE WHO HAPPENS TO ENJOY A DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE. SINCE IDENTICAL ACTIVITIES FALL ON ONE SIDE OF THE LINE OR THE OTHER, DEPENDING UPON THE PASSAGE OF TIME AND THE CULTURE WHEREIN THEY ARE PROPAGATED, THE REASONABLE PERSON MUST CONCLUDE THAT THERE IS NO OBJECTIVE OR UNIVERSAL STANDARD. WHAT IS PERMITTED OR PROHIBITED DEPENDS UPON THE POLITICAL CLOUT OF THE PRACTITIONERS AND THEIR SUCCESS IN GAINING POSITIONS OF POWER WITHIN "THE SYSTEM".

IT SEEMS IRONIC THAT WE ARE NOW ENGAGED IN INTERNATIONAL NAGGING, PURPORTING TO BRING FREEDOM TO THE "UNENLIGHTENED" ARAB COUNTRIES, WHO ROUTINELY MANDATE THAT WOMEN, FOR SOME REASON APPARENTLY ORDAINED BY ALLAH, "MUST" WEAR COVERINGS OVER THEIR FACES, WHICH, IF WE PREVAIL, WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE MORE "ENLIGHTENED" VIEWPOINT THAT WOMEN, IN THE JUDEO-CHRISTIAN VERSION OF "FREEDOM", MUST "NOT" BE PERMITTED TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS, DESPITE THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, OR THEY WILL BE DENIED THE RIGHT TO OPERATE THEIR AUTOMOBILE, IF NOT STRIP SEARCHED AS POSSIBLE TERRORISTS .

ONE WONDERS WHERE AND WHEN THE VARIOUS GODS MET TO DECIDE THAT DRIVING A CAR IS SAFER WITH OR WITHOUT A FACE MASK OR THAT COVERING OR REVEALING A CERTAIN PORTION OF ONES ANATOMY IS ADVANTAGEOUS OR DETRIMENTAL TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF CIVILIZATION. THE RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO ENFORCING THESE PERCEPTIONS WOULD, NO DOUBT, PAY FOR SEVERAL HURRICANES, IF NOT A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE UNDER THE CENTERS OF POPULATION ON THE WEST COAST.

IN A MORE INTERESTING LIFESTYLE CHOICE, IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD, THE USE OF MIND (AND BODY) ALTERING SUBSTANCES, VARYING FROM THE LIQUID FORMS TO THE INHALED OR INGESTED FORMS, IS EITHER ROUNDLY CONDEMNED OR DEEPLY INGRAINED IN THE CULTURE. SEVERE PENALTIES EXIST FOR THEIR USE WHERE PROHIBITED, WHILE THEY ARE HIGHLY PRIZED COMPONENTS OF THE ECONOMIC SECTOR WHERE PERMITTED.
DEPENDING UPON WHERE ONE HAPPENS TO BE BORN, THESE M.A.S. ARE USED TO MITIGATE THE STRESSES OF LIFE, WHILE IN OTHER AREAS, THE USE OF THESE SUBSTANCES TO MITIGATE THE HORROR AND SUFFERING OF LIFE ENDING ILLNESSES EARNS ONE THE TITLE OF "CRIMINAL" AND SUBJECTS THE DYING SOUL, OR THOSE WHO LOVE THEM AND WANT TO EASE THE PAINFUL PROCESS, TO PROSECUTION (PERSECUTION?) FROM THE AFOREMENTIONED SELF-ANOINTED REPRESENTATIVES OF OMNIPITANCE AND THEIR MINIONS, OPERATING IN THE GUISE OF LEGAL RESPECTABILITY, MUCH THE SAME AS THE STRONG ARMED GOONS OF MOB FAMILIES ENFORCED THEIR PREDILECTIONS.

WHILE BIRTH MAY BE USED AS A DETERMINANT, APPARENTLY THE "LOCATION OF CONCEPTION" IS NOT YET A FACTOR AS TO WHAT TYPE OF FREEDOM ONE IS TO BE GRANTED OR DENIED. OF COURSE, WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO SOME SHYSTER TAKING UP THIS CRUSADE IF HE/SHE THINKS THERE IS PROFIT TO BE HAD.

OF EVEN MORE INTEREST ARE THOSE WHO INSIST THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE NO FREEDOM TO ENGAGE IN CERTAIN VOLUNTARY, SOCIAL AND SEXUAL ACTIVITIES, UPON PAIN OF LEGAL CASTIGATION, INCARCERATION OR EXCOMMUNICATION FROM THE INSTITUTIONS OF SOCIETY.
THE AUTHOR HASTENS TO REMIND THE READER THAT THESE MISSING FREEDOMS OF CHOICE ARE THOUGHT TO BE RESERVED FOR CONSENTING ADULTS, HOWEVER A GIVEN SOCIETY CHOOSES TO DEFINE THEM. APPARENTLY THERE ARE NO OBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF THIS STATUS EITHER. AT ONE AGE, IN A GIVEN SOCIETY, ONE IS ADULT ENOUGH TO DIE FOR ONES COUNTRY, BUT NOT TO VOTE OR DRINK M.A.S. ONE IS SUFFICIENTLY ADULT TO GIVE BIRTH (OR CAUSE PREGNANCY), BUT NOT TO DRIVE A CAR. IN THE COMMISSION OF CERTAIN CRIMES, ONE IS ADULT IF THE MINIONS OF LAW DECIDE IT IS SO AND THEY ARE CHILDREN TO BE NURTURED AND SPARED THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTION IF THEY CAN HIRE A LAWYER OF SUFFICIENT ACUMEN TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE MINIONS, BUT I DIGRESS AGAIN.
RETURNING TO SOCIAL/SEXUAL CONDUCT, ONE FINDS IN SOME CULTURES, THAT THE ALMIGHTY, ACCORDING TO THOSE WHO REGULARLY COMMUNICATE WITH HIM/HER, DECREED THAT A MAN IS ENTITLED TO MULTIPLE WIVES, HOWEVER, WOMEN ARE RARELY ENTITLED TO MULTIPLE HUSBANDS. IN OTHER CULTURES, THE GENDER BALANCE IS STRICTLY MAINTAINED AND UNIONS BETWEEN HUMANS OF THE SAME GENDER ARE OFFICIALLY PROHIBITED, WHILE BEING COUNTENANCED IN THE BREACH. AS NOTED EARLIER, THE MESSAGES FROM ON HIGH FREQUENTLY CHANGE TO SUIT THE SITUATION ACCORDING TO THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND INTELLECTUAL CLOUT OF THOSE REPRESSED. POSSESSION AND/OR USE OF M.A.S. BY MEMBERS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT ELITE ARE OFTEN PASSED OFF AS AMUSING DIVERSIONS TO BE CORRECTED BY COMMUNITY SERVICE OR PAYMENT OF A NOMINAL FINE, WHILE MEMBERS LOT THE LOWER CLASSES AND MINORITIES ARE OFTEN RELEGATED TO LENGTHY PRISON TERMS. IN THE RECENT PAST, UNIONS BETWEEN CERTAIN RACES WERE PROHIBITED AND UNIONS BETWEEN VARIOUS RELIGIONS WERE ALSO SANCTIONED TO THE POINT OF EXCLUSION FROM THE GIVEN GROUP BY PURVEYORS OF THEIR VERSION OF TRUTH.

IN THE MOST BASIC OF ACTIVITIES THAT WERE PERCEIVED TO BE FAIR GAME FOR THESE REPRESSORS OF FREEDOM, INDIVIDUALS WERE PROHIBITED FROM SOME, IF NOT ALL, OF THE BASIC SEXUAL PLEASURES EXCEPT FOR THE PROCREATION OF FUTURE SUBJECTS FOR REPRESSION. EVEN THAT WAS CAREFULLY CONTROLLED AS TO MANNER, SCHEDULING AND LOCALE. THE CONCEPT THAT SEXUAL ACTIVITIES PROVIDED CONSIDERABLE PLEASURE OUTSIDE OF PROCREATION WAS SELDOM ACKNOWLEDGED, OR WAS OPENLY DISPARAGED, IF SPOKEN OF AT ALL, AND SUCH BEHAVIOR WAS CERTAINLY TO BE REGULATED AND CONTROLLED FOR THE BENEFIT OF SOCIETY.  

HOWEVER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATURE OF ETERNAL TRUTHS, THIS TRUTH CHANGED WITH THE REALIZATION THAT THE RESTLESS SUBJECTS, GROWING IN NUMBER, ECONOMIC POWER AND POLITICAL CLOUT, WERE PAYING NO ATTENTION TO THE PROHIBITIONS, EVEN WITH THEIR ATTENDANT PUNISHMENTS, SO THE ETERNAL TRUTHS WERE "UPDATED" IN ACCORDANCE WITH PREVAILING PRACTICES AND SOMETIMES SCIENCE, (NO TELLING HOW MANY WOMEN’S LIVES WERE SAVED WHEN ANNETTE KELLERMAN WAS ARRESTED FOR WEARING A "REVEALING" ONE PIECE BATHING SUIT OR WHEN GERTRUDE EDERLE DARED TO SWIM "INDECENTLY" ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL IN A TWO PIECE SUIT) TO THE POINT WHERE INDIVIDUALS WERE NOT ONLY "FREE" TO WEAR A WIDE VARIETY OF CLOTHES, OR NONE AT ALL IN SOME PLACES AND ENGAGE IN, AND ENJOY, FORMERLY UNSPEAKABLE ACTS, WHILE OPENLY RECRUITING OTHERS TO JOIN IN THEIR NEWFOUND FREEDOMS, ALBEIT WITH SOME RISKS FROM THE SELF-APPOINTED COMMUNICATORS OF ETERNAL TRUTH AND MINDERS OF OTHER PEOPLES' BUSINESS.

POLYGYNY AND POLYANDARY, PRESENTLY OUT OF VOGUE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A FEW SELF-SERVING INDIVIDUALS, HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH SERIAL MONOGAMY. OTHERS SIMPLY FOREGO THE FORMALITY OF LEGAL BONDAGE AND CO-HABIT WITH WHOMEVER THEY WISH, WHENEVER AND FOR HOWEVER LONG THEY WANT AND OPENLY FLOUT THE FORMER CONVENTIONS OF INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF A RELIGIOUS NATURE. AT PRESENT, THEY ARE EVEN GOING SO FAR AS TO DEMAND EQUAL RECOGNITION AND LEGAL PROTECTION FOR THEIR PREFERRED PERVERSION, (OOPS! LIFESTYLE) IF THEY POSSESS SUFFICIENT CLOUT TO REBEL AGAINST THE EXISTING OPPRESSORS. IT HAS COME TO THE POINT WHERE FORMER PERVERSIONS OF NATURE ARE SIMPLY "PREFERRED LIFESTYLES" FOR MANY, WHICH ARE TOLERATED, IF NOT ACCEPTED, BY MANY, EXCEPT FOR THE MOST RECALCITRANT MINDERS OF OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.

ALTHOUGH LACKING WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION OF "NAGGING" IN ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS, THE AUTHOR SEES NO REASON TO THINK IT DID NOT EXIST, EVEN BACK TO THE FORMATION OF SOCIETIES INCLUDING CAVE CLANS, NOMADIC TRIBES AND THOSE WHO DWELT DEEP IN THE FORESTS AND NETHERLANDS OF THE WORLD. THE ERA IN HISTORY INVOLVING THE CRUSADES, ALONG WITH THE INQUISITION, BROUGHT THE FINE ART OF REPRESSION IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM AND RIGHTOUSNESS INTO FULL FLOWER. IN THIS COUNTRY, FROM THE BURNINGS IN MASSACHUSETTS; TO THE SO-CALLED SCOPES MONKEY TRIAL IN TENNESSEE; TO THE ENCLAVES OF HOMOSEXUALITY ALONG THE COASTS; TO THE MISCEGENATION LAWS; TO THE PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN SEXUAL PRACTICES INVOLVING VARIOUS ORIFACES; AND OF COURSE, THE PROHIBITION OF VARIOUS TYPES OF SEXUAL EMPLOYMENT RANGING FROM OUTRIGHT PROCUREMENT TO SIMPLY VIEWING NUDITY, WITH OR WITH OUT SEXUAL ACTIVITIES, IN THE FLESH, SO TO SPEAK, OR IN PRINT AND IN CINEMATIC FORMATS IN THE "CULTURALLY CHALLENGED" AREAS OF OUR LAND, THE ETERNAL TRUTHS, EVER CHANGING OF COURSE, PROVIDED A REASON FOR THE EXISTENCE AND EMPLOYMENT OF COUNTLESS CRITICS AND HYPOCRITES, WHO DUBIOUSLY CLAIM THE RIGHT TO "CAST THE FIRST STONE. A GREATER, NEVER ENDING SOURCE OF HOLIER THAN THOU ACTIVITIES, HAS YET TO BE CONTRIVED, ALTHOUGH THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS AMONG US HAVE BECOME ADEPT AT USING THE SAME MODEL TO JUSTIFY THEIR EXISTENCE. THIS SEEMS ESPECIALLY TRUE AFTER THEY HAVE ACQUIRED THE RIGHTS TO SOME SPECIAL PLACE ON EARTH THAT THEY THEN WISH TO DENY TO OTHERS, BUT I DIGRESS AGAIN.

BECAUSE THE ART OF MINDING SOMEONE ELSE'S BUSINESS HAS A LONG AND COMPELLING PAST, DOES NOT JUSTIFY ITS CONTINUED EXISTENCE, AT LEAST AT THE “LOCAL NOTION” LEVEL. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO HUMAN BEHAVIOR. THE OLD SAW ABOUT ONES RIGHTS TO WAVE A FIST IN THE AIR WHICH MUST STOP AT THE NEIGHBOR'S NOSE WOULD SEEM TO GIVE GUIDANCE.
HOWEVER, WHEN AN ADULT CHOOSES TO WALK INTO A GAMBLING, DRINKING AND/OR SEXUALLY ORIENTED ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENT; ABUSE HIS OR HER BODY WITH FOOD, DRINK AND M.A.S.; (O.K. SO FOOD HAS NOT BEEN ADDED TO THE LIST, BUT IT CERTAINLY CAUSES MORE "PROBLEMS" IN SOCIETY THAN OTHER REGULATED ACTIVITIES); LISTEN TO, READ, OR OTHERWISE VIEW LITERATURE AND ART (HOWEVER LOOSELY THIS MAY BE DEFINED); CONSORT WITH OTHER ADULTS IN CONSENSUAL ACTIVITIES, WITH OR WITHOUT ECONOMIC INCENTIVES; CAVORT IN NON-TRADITIONAL ATTIRE; OR SPEND A DAY AT THE BEACH, WHERE THOSE WHO CONTROL SUCH ACCESS, APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN HOLDING REGULAR MEETINGS AMONG THEMSELVES AND WITH WHATEVER DEITY THEY CLAIM, AND HAVE OVER THE YEARS LEARNED THAT THE RIGHT TO SUN OR SWIM IS DEPENDENT UPON HOW MUCH  OF ONES SKIN IS EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS,  IT IS POSTULATED THAT THIS ADULT IS EXERCISING FREE CHOICE, NOTHING MORE OR LESS.

OF COURSE, FROM AN AESTHETIC POINT OF VIEW, THE "FREEDOM" TO WEAR (BARE?) DOES REVEAL CERTAIN INEQUITIES AMONG HUMANS, WHICH, IF KEPT UNDER COVER, MIGHT IMPROVE THE AMBIENCE CONSIDERABLY. LURKS THERE ANOTHER "ULTIMATE TRUTH" FOR THE OPPRESSORS TO CONSIDER? ( LIKE OBSCENITY, WHICH DEFIES DEFINITION, BEAUTY RESIDES IN THE PERCEPTION OF THE BEHOLDER, BUT I AM SURE I WOULD KNOW “UGLY” IF I SAW IT!

IN THE NOT SO DISTANT PAST, CITIZENS OF LESS SOPHISTICATED (MAYBE NOT?) CIVILIZATIONS SIMPLY DOFFED WHATEVER SKINS OR TUNICS THEY MIGHT BE WEARING AND PROCEEDED TO ENJOY THE SUN, SAND AND WATER IN THEIR NATURAL STATE. OF COURSE, SOME SOCIETIES HAD NEVER BOTHERED TO WEAR ANYTHING TO START WITH SO THEY EVADED THIS LABORIOUS TASK.

AROUND THE WORLD, IN LITTLE MORE THAN ONE CENTURY, ZEALOTS FROM ALL SORTS OF HOLES IN THE WOODWORK, ADVISED THESE FORMERLY UNCONCERNED PEOPLE THAT THEY MUST ACCEPT THE SHAME OF THEIR NATURAL BODIES AND COVER WHATEVER PARTS THESE "MINDERS OF OTHER PEOPLES' BUSINESS" DICTATED. IF THEY DID NOT COMPLY WITH COVERING THESE AREAS, THEY WOULD SURELY ROAST IN HELL OR, AS IS THE PRACTICE TODAY, BE PROSECUTED AND POSSIBLY INCARCERATED, IF NOT LABELED AS A "SEX OFFENDER", IF A CHILD HAPPENED TO BE BUILDING A SAND CASTLE NEARBY.

OVER THE YEARS, ADVANCEMENT (?) IN THE REVELATION OF "UNIVERSAL TRUTH" EVOLVED FROM THE NOTION THAT THE DISPLAY OF A WOMEN'S ANKLE CONSTITUTED "INDECENT EXPOSURE", THROUGH THE ERA WHEN A WOMAN WOULD LITERALLY DROWN IF SHE TRIED TO SWIM IN THE CLOTHING REQUIRED TO AVOID PERSECUTION AND MEN WERE CONSTRAINED TO COVER THEIR TORSOS OR BE SUBJECT TO THE MINIONS WHO ENFORCED SUCH DRACONIAN RULES, TO THE POINT WHERE DESCRIPTIONS OF WHAT ACTS AND WHAT PARTS OF ONES ANATOMY MUST BE COVERED BY THREE OUNCES OF MATERIAL (WHY NOT 2?) WOULD HAVE QUALIFIED AS PORNOGRAPHIC LITERATURE ABOUT THE TIME THE AUTHOR APPEARED UPON THE SCENE.

IN THAT HISTORICALLY INSIGNIFICANT LENGTH OF TIME, THOSE WHO SPEAK FOR THE VARIOUS GODS HAVE CONSTRUCTED A WEB OF PERMITTED AND PROHIBITED DRESS AND BEHAVIOR, APPARENTLY MEASURABLE IN CENTIMETERS, IF NOT MILLIMETERS, WHICH, UNTIL RECENTLY INCLUDED BEHAVIOR IN THE SUBJECTS' BEDROOMS OR BATHROOMS (WHICH MAY STILL EXIST IN SOME AREAS) THAT MAKES THE GORDIAN KNOT OR RUBIK'S CUBE A CINCH TO RESOLVE IN COMPARISON TO UNDERSTANDING THE LOGIC OF SUCH THOUGHT PROCESSES. THERE STILL REMAINS THE QUESTION OF WHY THESE OFFICIALS BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DECIDE AT WHAT LENGTH A FEMALE STUDENT'S SKIRT BECOMES INDECENT AND LEGALLY PUNISHABLE (OBSCENE? AS EXPLAINED BY ONE OF THE NINE OLD PERSONS IN LONG ROBES WHO COULD NOT DEFINE IT, BUT WAS SURE HE "WOULD" KNOW IF HE SAW IT) AND EXTENDS EVEN TO DICTATING WHAT MUST BE WORN UNDERNEATH A PERSONS OUTER CLOTHING. {MAY SCOTLAND'S UNCHARTED TERRITORY BE PRESERVED!}

IF ONE HAS EVER ENCOUNTERED A GREATER EXAMPLE OF INSANITY, IT DOES NOT READILY COME TO MIND.  REMEMBER, THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN THIS "KNOWLEDGE AND RIGHT" BY SOME FORM OF UNKNOWN DEITY THAT ELEVATES THEM ABOVE OTHER MEMBERS OF SOCIETY WHO, THOUGH THEY WERE BORN IN THE SAME MANNER (AT LEAST I HAVE YET TO HEAR OF ONE OF THESE "PUBLIC SERVANTS" CLAIMING DEVINE BIRTH, BUT WONDERS NEVER CEASE AND THIS MAY YET COME TO PASS) AND ATTAINED ADULT STATUS IN A SIMILAR MANNER,  NOW CONSIDER THE GENERAL POPULACE  TO BE SO INCOMPETENT, AS DEFINED BY THE INMATES RUNNING THE ASYLUM, THAT THESE LOWLY CITIZENS NOW NEED, FOR THEIR OWN WELFARE, GUIDANCE IN HOW THEY MUST DRESS AND LIVE THEIR PERSONAL LIVES.

IS IT NOT UNDERSTANDABLE HOW BUREAUCRATS OF THIS ILK COULD FAIL TO RESPOND TO NATURAL DISASTERS AND THE REAL NEEDS OF THE POPULATION WHEN THEY HAVE SUCH IMPORTANT WORK TO DO?
COMES NOW ANOTHER WHO SUPPORTS THE "RIGHT" OF ALL ADULTS TO VOLUNTARILY PURSUE THEIR OWN DESIRES FOR FREEDOM AND TO LIVE THEIR LIVES AS THEY CHOOSE, SO LONG AS THEIR "FIST" STOPS AT THE "NOSE", OF OTHER ADULTS WHO CHOOSE A DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE. THE AUTHOR ALSO QUESTIONS THE "RIGHT" OF OTHER HUMANS, SITTING IN SEATS OF GOVERNMENT OR RELIGION, REGARDLESS OF THEIR DELUSIONS, TO DECIDE THAT A GIVEN ACTIVITY, VOLUNTARILY ENGAGED IN BY CONSENTING ADULTS, OUGHT NOT TO BE PERMITTED, OR SHOULD BE SEVERELY REGULATED, IN AN EFFORT TO IMPOSE THE OPPRESSORS' POINT OF VIEW ON OTHERS. SOMEHOW, THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO FIT ANY DEFINITION OF FREEDOM THE AUTHOR HAS ENCOUNTERED TO DATE.

IN BALANCING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT WITH THE FREEDOMS OF THE GOVERNED, THE AUTHOR WONDERS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HOW MANY LIVES COULD BE SAVED IN NIGER? HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS COULD RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE AND EDUCATION? HOW MANY CITIES (NEW ORLEANS?) COULD BE REBUILT? HOW MANY BARRELS OF OIL COULD BE SAVED? HOW MUCH BETTER THE WORLD MIGHT BE? AND HOW TRULY FREE INDIVIDUALS MIGHT BE, IF THE HUMAN AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES NOW EXPENDED FOR MINDING OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS WERE RE-ALLOCATED TO A MORE PRODUCTIVE PASTIME, NAMELY THE ENRICHING OF LIVES RATHER THAN THE OPPRESSION OF FREEDOM.

AS IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN HISTORY, THE NEXT "WAVE" OF OPPRESSORS MAY BE THOSE WHO WISH TO IMPOSE THEIR VERSION OF FREEDOM ON YOU. AS WITH THE HUNS OF YORE, IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES THE TERRORISTS, OR OTHER RISING POWERS, MAY YET PREVAIL AND QUICKLY IMPOSE THEIR "TRUTH" ON THOSE WHO DIFFER WITH THEM. SHEER NUMBERS AND A WILLINGNESS TO DIE FOR EQUALLY IRRATIONAL BELIEFS, INDICATE THAT PROBABILITY. VAMOS A VER!

UNLESS THAT MOLD (INFLICTING ONES BELIEFS OR DESIRES ON OTHERS) IS BROKEN, THE AUTHOR WILL CLING TO THE BELIEF THAT THOSE WHO DO NOT LEARN FROM HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT. COULD IT BE THAT THIS IS THE KEY TO WORLD PEACE? ENJOY. TOM

FRUSTRATIONS AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT

FRUSTRATIONS AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT

AVITW

I SEE WHERE A NATIONAL SELLER OF "WHATNOTS AND WIDGETS" (CVS) HAS TAKEN OVER A LOCAL SELLER (ECKERD) OF THE SAME. BOTH HAD ADVERTISED THEMSELVES AS PHARMACIES, WHICH MAY BE TECHNICALLY TRUE.

HOWEVER, FOR SOME REASON, ALL OF THE PHARMACIES WITH WHICH I AM FAMILIAR ARRANGE THE BULK OF THEIR SPACE WITH THEIR NUMEROUS HIGH PROFIT EXTRANEOUS TEMPTATIONS IN CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TOWARD THE FRONT, WHILE THE "PHARMACY" RESIDES IN A DISTANT LOCAL IN THE RECESSES OF THE EXCESSES. OF COURSE, I DOUBT THE MARGINS ARE AS HIGH AS THOSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, IF OTHER INFORMATION I HAVE HEARD IS VALID, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.
AS A CONSUMER, I HAVE THE OPTION OF IGNORING TEMPTATION AS I PASS TO AND FRO BETWEEN THE ENTRANCE AND THE DESIRED LOCATION. STILL, ONE WONDERS WHETHER THE MOTIVES BEHIND THE ORGANIZATION OF THE STORE DON'T HAVE MORE TO DO WITH THE BOTTOM LINE THAN WITH THE PROVISION OF PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY AND INFIRM, BUT, I DIGRESS.

IT IS WIDELY TOUTED THAT THE CONSUMER AND "HER" :-) CHOICES ARE THE DRIVING FORCE IN NATIONAL PROSPERITY, WITH THE STOCK MARKET AND THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT BEING HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON HER FOR THEIR VERY SURVIVAL. I SUPPOSE THIS WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO ARGUE WITH SINCE MANY OF THE FORMERLY PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE BEEN "OUTSOURCED" TO OTHER COUNTRIES IN DEFERENCE TO THEIR POPULATION'S WILLINGNESS TO ACTUALLY WORK; BECAUSE OF THEIR LOWER WAGES AND CERTAINLY IN RESPONSE TO THE COSTS OF DOING ANYTHING PRODUCTIVE IN THIS COUNTRY DUE TO THE TWIN GORILLAS OF GOVERNMENT OBSTACLES AND "LABOR" E.G., UNIONS' DEMANDS. INTERESTINGLY, THE LATTER SEEMS TO HAVE NEARLY SUCCEEDED IN DIGGING THEIR OWN GRAVE BY PUTTING MANY COMPANIES, AND EVEN INDUSTRIES, OUT OF BUSINESS, UNTIL NOW, I BELIEVE, THE BULK OF THEIR MEMBERS RESIDE IN GOVERNMENT CHAIRS WHERE PROFITS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR SURVIVAL. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THEY WILL EVENTUALLY PUT THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF BUSINESS? ISN'T IT APPARENT HOW "NOTIONS" AND LIFE ARE INSEPARABLE? BUT, I DIGRESS.

RETURNING TO THE SUBJECT OF PHARMACIES, WHEN ONE ENTERS THE AREA, ONE EXPECTS TO BE GREETED AS EFFICACIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE WITH PROMPT AND FRIENDLY SERVICE. HOWEVER, THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME ETHOS IN LARGE ORGANIZATIONS (TO GIVE SOME OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS EXAMPLES, LET NOT K-MART, WALMART, AT&T, THE PROVIDERS OF MEDICAL SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT, AMONG OTHERS, ESCAPE) E.G. THOSE WHO HAVE A LEGALLY PROTECTED MONOPOLY AND THOSE WHO HAVE SEVERELY LIMITED THE COMPETITION OR ELIMINATED IT COMPLETELY, THAT ENCOURAGES THEIR EMPLOYEES TO IGNORE THE LINCHPIN OF THEIR BUSINESS, E.G. THE CONSUMER/CITIZEN, UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO BE "CONVENIENT" FOR THEM TO ADDRESS THE WANTS AND NEEDS OF THIS LOWLY FORM OF LIFE.

THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT WAIT THEIR TURN. THAT IS ONLY FAIR. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WHO HAS PRESENTED HERSELF, WITH CASH (OR CREDIT) IN HAND, SO TO SPEAK, SHOULD NOT BE SUMMARILY IGNORED OR PUT OFF WHILE THE EMPLOYEES CONTINUE THEIR PERSONAL CONVERSATIONS, SHUFFLE AND/OR REARRANGE PAPERS AND MERCHANDISE, ATTEND TO THE ORDERS OF THE "CALL-INS" AND/OR "DRIVE-UPS", OR SIMPLY LOOK THE OTHER WAY (WERE THEY ALL TRAINED IN RESTAURANTS?) TO AVOID HAVING TO INTERACT WITH THE ONLY "JOB SECURITY" THEY HAVE, THE CONSUMER.

ONE SUSPECTS THAT THERE IS SOME COMPANY RULE THAT STATES, NO PRESCRIPTION IS TO BE FILLED IMMEDIATELY, EVEN IF THE CONSUMER IS WAITING FOR A SIMPLE, OFF THE SHELF MEDICATION, THEREBY FORCING THE VICTIM TO "KILL TIME" IN THE AFOREMENTIONED "WHATNOT AND WIDGET" AREA WHERE THEY JUST "MAY" CHOOSE TO BUY SOMETHING ELSE, DURING THE TYPICAL 20 TO 45 MINUTES OF CAPTIVITY.
ON A DAILY BASIS, I LISTEN TO, AND SOMETIMES EVEN WATCH, THE PROPAGANDA (ADVERTISEMENTS) ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT SERVICE TO THE CONSUMER IS TO THE VARIOUS COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (WHATEVER HAPPENED TO TRUTH IN ADVERTISING?) AND I FOLLOW SOME OF THE LEARNED FINANCIAL ANALYSTS AS THEY DRONE ON ABOUT WHICH COMPANIES SHOULD PROSPER OR FALTER BASED ON SOME ESOTERIC STRATEGY WHICH, IN TURN, SHOULD ENTICE ONE TO INVEST IN THIS COMPANY RATHER THAN THE OTHER.

FOLLOWING A NUMBER OF FRUSTRATING OCCURRENCES WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE, WHICH I FEEL COMPELLED TO SPARE YOU, SINCE I AM REASONABLY SURE YOU HAVE HAD YOUR OWN, I HAVE DECIDED TO "VOTE WITH MY FEET" DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT WILL TAKE A LITTLE MORE TIME TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT PARKING LOT (NOT A BIG PROBLEM IN TODAY'S LUXURIOUS VEHICLES) AND IT WILL COST ME A LITTLE MORE MONEY. THE "FRUSTRATION FACTOR" (MARK THIS DOWN FOR POSTERITY AS I HAVE NEVER HEARD ONE ANALYST OR ECONOMIST WHO HAS FACTORED THIS ECONOMIC VARIABLE INTO THEIR MODELS) HAS BECOME A SIGNIFICANT ONE TO ME AS I MAKE MY ECONOMIC DECISIONS.

SINCE I HAVE GENERALLY FOUND MYSELF "AHEAD OF THE CURVE" IN THE VARIOUS STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH THE "OPPORTUNITIES" (PROBLEMS?) IN LIFE, I WILL VENTURE TO PREDICT THAT I WILL NOT BE ALONE IN THIS REACTION FOREVER. FOR NOW, MY PITTANCE IS INSIGNIFICANT. WHAT DOES ONE CONSUMER MEAN TO AT&T? WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES THE LOSS OF 3 OR 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR MEAN TO WALMART? WILL CVS MISS THE PRESCRIPTIONS OF JUST ONE CITIZEN WITH ACCESS TO MEDICARE AND HEALTH INSURANCE? I THINK NOT.

HOWEVER, AS OTHERS, NOW MORE WILLING TO BE "SERVICE ABUSED" THAN I, (SORRY, I HAVE NO OTHER NAME FOR THIS PHENOMENON) DECIDE THEY HAVE HAD ENOUGH AND BEGIN TO LOOK FOR OTHER OPTIONS WHEN THEIR CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS CONTINUE TO BE IGNORED OR EXCUSED BY THE "HIGHER UPS", THE BOTTOM LINE WILL SURELY SUFFER. I DO BELIEVE THESE "HIGHER UP" INDIVIDUALS SHOULD BE APPRISED OF SUCH SITUATIONS AND GIVEN A CHANCE TO CORRECT THE “PROBLEM” E.G. THE UNRESPONSIVE EMPLOYEE, IF THEY WISH. UNFORTUNATELY, THESE "HIGHER UPS", BE THEY IN GOVERNMENT OR COMMERCE, GENERALLY HIDE BEHIND DOORS IN PROHIBITED AREAS WHERE CONSUMERS/CITIZENS CANNOT READILY FIND THEM; OR BEHIND AUTOMATED ANSWERING SYSTEMS THAT FRUSTRATE EVEN THE MOST WELL MEANING CONSUMER; OR BEHIND ROBOTIC ANSWERS IN CYBERSPACE; OR BEHIND ENDLESS BUREAUCRATIC MAZES; OR, BEHIND RULES AND “EXCUSES” MORE CREATIVE THAN THOSE OF ANY GOLFER I'VE EVER ENCOUNTERED. BASICALLY, WHAT THEY ARE TELLING YOU IS THAT THEY ARE PAID AND/OR PROMOTED, BASED ON THEIR ABILITY TO PROTECT THE STATUS QUO AND ARE TOLD NOT TO "MAKE WAVES". OF COURSE, THIS ATTITUDE IS ALSO WHAT THEY INFLICT ON THOSE UNDER THEIR SUPERVISION, SO DON'T EXPECT MUCH IN THE WAY OF SERVICE OR CHANGE.

A CONVERSATION I OVERHEARD BETWEEN TWO PEONS EMPLOYED BY ONE OF THE ABOVE SAYS IT ALL. AS SHE WALKED AWAY, (POSSIBLY FOR A BREAK?) DESPITE THE EXISTENCE OF CUSTOMERS WAITING MEEKLY FOR SOME ASSISTANCE, SHE SAID, "WHEN THEY START PAYING ME A WORKING WAGE, MAYBE I'LL START WORKING". THERE MUST STILL BE SOME TRUTH TO THE RUMOR THAT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

AS ONE LOOKS AT THOSE EMPLOYED WHERE "THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD", ONE FEELS A SENSE OF IRONY THAT THESE, NORMALLY VERY YOUNG OR VERY OLD INDIVIDUALS, GIVEN THEIR MENIAL LABOR, THEIR MEDIOCRE SKILLS AND THEIR MEAGER PAY, ARE INVOLVED IN A COLLECTIVE CONDUCT THAT MEANS MORE TO THE "BOTTOM LINE" THAN ALL ALL OF THE OTHER SCHEMES, PROMOTIONS, ADVERTISEMENTS, AND CORPORATE ENTICEMENTS, INCLUDING LOWER PRICES. IN DEFENSE OF THESE CIPHERS, LET IT BE NOTED THAT PROBABLY THE QUICKEST WAY FOR THEM TO LOSE THEIR MENIAL POSITION IS TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE "POLICY BOX", DESPITE THE FACT THAT SUCH BEHAVIOR MIGHT BENEFIT THE CONSUMER/CITIZEN, WHICH, IN TURN, WOULD BENEFIT THE BOTTOM LINE OR THE EVEN PUBLIC, WHERE GOVERNMENT IS INVOLVED.

CONTRAST THIS ATTITUDE AND CONDUCT WITH THE TREATMENT ONE RECEIVES IN A LESS ADVANCED (?) COUNTRY, WHERE THE PROPRIETOR OF SOME SMALL SHOP OR RESTAURANT WILL ALL BUT ATTACK YOU AND KILL YOU WITH KINDNESS IN HELPING YOU DECIDE TO SPEND YOUR MONEY AT HIS OR HER ESTABLISHMENT RATHER THAN TAKE IT TO ANOTHER. THERE ARE EVEN A FEW PERSONS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT CAN REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE WELCOMED, ASSISTED AND TREATED WITH RESPECT BECAUSE WE CAME TO SPEND OUR MONEY FOR A PARTICULAR GOOD OR SERVICE. WHEN WE RETURNED BECAUSE OF THEIR GOOD SERVICE, WE RETURNED AS A CUSTOMER, NOT A MERE CONSUMER, A VAST DIFFERENCE INDEED, ECONOMICALLY. WE ALSO TENDED TO BE LOYAL TO THAT BUSINESS, AS WE ARE TODAY. OF COURSE, THAT ERROR CAN BE CORRECTED IF WE ARE PUSHED TOO FAR. VAMOS A VER!

REMEMBER, THIS MAY BE ONLY A “LOCAL NOTION” BUT, IN THE FUTURE, IT MAY HAVE WORLD CLASS IMPLICATIONS.
ENJOY, TOM.

TIME BOXES AND EDUCATION

AVITW!2     

I SEE WHERE A LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM, THAT SHALL REMAIN ANONYMOUS TO PROTECT THE GUILTY, HAS APPOINTED A COMMITTEE, (SO WHAT ELSE IS NEW?) WHICH IS WHAT ADMINISTRATORS AND/OR ELECTED OFFICIALS DO WHEN THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO SOLVE A PROBLEM OR LACK THE INTESTINAL FORTITUDE TO DO SO.       

THIS COMMITTEE IS PROPOSING LONGER SCHOOL DAYS AND A LONGER SCHOOL YEAR AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING STUDENT READING ABILITIES, A NOBLE GOAL INDEED, WHICH I HAD ASSUMED WAS THEIR ORIGINAL RESPONSIBILITY AND, FOR WHICH BILLIONS HAVE ALREADY GONE DOWN THE TUBES IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. NATURALLY, THE PROPOSAL REQUIRES ADDITIONAL MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR EXPENDITURES TO DO WHAT THE SCHOOLS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING ALREADY. STILL, THE IDEA HAS SOME MERIT AS "TIME ON TASK" IS A KNOWN VARIABLE IN LEARNING. ONE NEEDS ONLY LOOK AT THE PROFICIENCY OF A CERTAIN MINORITY IN  “BALL SKILLS” TO VERIFY THE TRUTH OF THIS LEARNING PRINCIPLE, BUT, I DIGRESS.     

MANY YEARS AGO, AS I RECALL, THE ALMIGHTY APPOINTED A COMMITTEE TO DESIGN A BETTER RACEHORSE. IT WAS TO BE A SLEEK AND BEAUTIFUL ANIMAL WHO’S PURPOSE WAS TO REACH A GIVEN DESTINATION IN THE FASTEST AND MOST EFFICIENT MANNER POSSIBLE. THIS WOULD SEEM TO DEFINE THE CONCEPTUAL NATURE OF EDUCATION, IF NOT THE REALITY. OF COURSE, THIS ALSO EXPLAINS THE EXISTENCE OF THE "CAMEL"; A BEAST OF QUESTIONABLE BEAUTY, ILL TEMPERED DISPOSITION AND CAPABLE ONLY OF PLODDING ALONG IN AN UNGAINLY MANNER. FOR SOME REASON, THIS REMINDS ME OF MANY, BUT NOT ALL, OF OUR CONTEMPORARY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS.     

RETURNING TO THE LOFTY GOAL AND PROPOSAL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED ANONYMOUS COMMITTEE AND SCHOOL SYSTEM, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IDEA IS OPPOSED BY ALMOST EVERYONE AFFECTED BY IT, INCLUDING THE ONES WHO COULD BENEFIT MOST. THE PROBLEM WITH THE PROPOSAL, AS SEEN FROM AFAR, IS THAT IT DOES NOT SEEM TO DISCRIMINATE BETWEEN THOSE WHO NEED HELP AND THOSE WHOSE READING SKILLS ARE ACCEPTABLE, A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF GOOD INTENTIONS GONE ASTRAY.     

THE ORIGINAL PREMISE AND ERROR OF EDUCATION TO WHICH MODERN SCHOOLS STILL ADHERE E.G. “TIME BOXES EQUAL EDUCATION”, IS COMPOUNDED WHEN EDUCATORS AND POLITICIANS DECIDE, IN THE NAME OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, THAT ALL STUDENTS MUST BE SUBJECTED TO IDENTICAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES.   THE EXISTENCE OF EMPIRICAL AND SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT INDIVIDUALS LEARN AT DIFFERENT RATES IS THOUGHT TO BE OVERWHELMING.  SUBJECTING STUDENTS TO LESS TIME OR MORE TIME THAN THEY NEED TO MASTER A GIVEN SKILL IS PROBABLY THE MOST INEFFICIENT PART OF EDUCATING STUDENTS IN EXISTENCE.  


NEARLY A CENTURY AGO, MOST STUDENTS APPARENTLY LEARNED TO READ AND WRITE AT AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL UNDER VERY PRIMITIVE CONDITIONS AND IN A LIMITED TIME FRAME, AS EDUCATION BEYOND THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL WAS THE EXCEPTION RATHER THAN THE RULE. OF COURSE, OBTAINING AN EDUCATION IN THAT ERA WAS A RARITY AND PRIVILEGE, NOT AN ONEROUS OBLIGATION OR AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIAL INTERCOURSE AND FASHION STATEMENTS, BUT I DIGRESS.
  

STILL, SINCE ADMINISTRATORS COULD DEVISE NO BETTER WAY OF DETERMINING WHETHER A STUDENT WAS QUALIFIED TO ADVANCE TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF EDUCATION, THEY CHOSE THE QUANTIFIABLE ROUTE OF “TIME BOXES”.  A GIVEN NUMBER OF HOURS SPENT IN A PRESCRIBED COURSE OF STUDY FOR A GIVEN NUMBER OF YEARS ENTITLED ONE TO BE ACCEPTED FOR MORE ADVANCED STUDY.  THE LACK OF “QUALITY CONTROLS”, E.G. COMPETENCY, SEEMED IRRELEVANT, OR AT LEAST BEYOND WHAT THESE PRIMITIVE EDUCATORS CARED TO DEAL WITH.  


IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE 20th CENTURY, IN THE NAME OF EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, SOCIAL ACTIVISTS PROMOTED THIS FALLACIOUS CONCEPT AS A CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT THAT RESULTED IN NUMEROUS INCOMPETENT (EDUCATIONALLY DEPRIVED?) INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING DIPLOMAS AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL.  THESE “PIECES OF PAPER”, WITHOUT SUBSTANCE, LEGALLY ENTITLED THE HOLDERS TO MATRICULATE AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING WHERE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WERE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION OR LOWER (DUMB DOWN?) THEIR EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS TO ENSURE THAT A POLITICALLY ACCEPTABLE NUMBER OF THE INCOMPETENT IN THEIR STUDENT BODY RECEIVED YET ANOTHER DIPLOMA, WITHOUT SUBSTANCE.  THIS, IN TURN, QUALIFIED THEM FOR ACCESS TO JOBS FOR WHICH THEY WERE EQUALLY INCOMPETENT.  IT IS POSTULATED THAT A SUBSTANTIAL PERCENTAGE OF THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THIS SELF DEFEATING BEHAVIOR, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.


DESPITE ALL OF THE NEFARIOUS YARDSTICKS CURRENTLY IN VOGUE FOR MEASURING PROGRESS IN EDUCATION, IT IS POSTULATED THAT THE ONLY TRUE MEASURE OF SUCCESS IN EDUCATION IS THE LEARNING THAT OCCURS IN THE STUDENT, NOT THE TIME SPENT IN THE PROCESS OR HOW MANY FIELD TRIPS (TIME OFF TASK) OR “EDUCATIONAL TOYS” THEY ARE PROVIDED.  THAT ALL STUDENTS DO NOT FIT INTO THE SAME “TIME BOX” IS A GIVEN.   EDUCATIONAL COMPETENCY, IN WHATEVER SKILLS SOCIETY DEEMS VALUABLE, IS THE SOLE DETERMINANT FOR NEEDED ‘TIME ON TASK”. ADMINISTRATIVELY CONVENIENT “TIME BOXES” ARE SELDOM RELEVANT TO ANYTHING OF EDUCATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE. WHILE THE NATURE OF SUBJECTS TO BE LEARNED IS OPEN TO DEBATE AND REVISION, THE DESIRE FOR STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE COMPETENCY IN LANGUAGE SKILLS SEEMS TO BE UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTABLE IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY.     

PUTTING THESE TWO CONCEPTS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY ("DISCRIMINATION", E.G. SEPARATING THE NEEDY FROM THE PROFICIENT AND "COMPETENCY", LEST WE FORGET) HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR MODIFYING THE CAMEL, IF NOT TRULY CREATING A VIABLE RACEHORSE. THE REAL DANGER (BENEFIT?) LIES IN THE FACT THAT THIS MAY LEAD TO THE OBVIOUS SOLUTION, TO WIT: ONLY THOSE STUDENTS THAT NEED THE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE ARTS INSTRUCTION WILL RECEIVE IT. COMPETENT STUDENTS WILL NOT BE SUBJECTED TO COSTLY AND TIME WASTING REQUIREMENTS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THEIR EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.  WHAT RESOURCES DO EXIST CAN BE USED WHERE THEY ARE MOST PRODUCTIVE.


IN THE REAL WORLD, DRIVERS DO NOT CARE HOW LONG IT TOOK FOR A MECHANIC TO LEARN THE TRADE.  WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM IS THAT THE BRAKES WORK PROPERLY.  PATIENTS DO NOT CARE HOW LONG THE PHARMACIST TOOK TO MASTER CHEMISTRY, ONLY THAT THE PRESCRIPTION IS CORRECTLY FORMULATED.  A PILOT’S TIME IN FLIGHT SCHOOL IS UNIMPORTANT, IF THE PLANE IS SAFELY OPERATED.  COMPETENCE IS THE STANDARD, NOT THE NUMBER OF “TIME BOXES” INVOLVED.     

SADLY, THE TIME TESTED SCHOOL TRADITION OF PUNISHING THE INNOCENT (IN THIS CASE THE COMPETENT) FOR THE TRANSGRESSIONS OF THE FEW  (THE INCOMPETENT) STILL SEEMS TO APPLY. OF COURSE, IT JUST COULD BE THE COMMITTEE’S "POLITICALLY CORRECT" WAY OF AVOIDING ACCUSATIONS OF DISCRIMINATION, THE LATTER BEING A CONCEPT THE AUTHOR FINDS WHOLLY ACCEPTABLE WHEN CORRECTLY UNDERSTOOD.  IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THOSE WHO ADVOCATE THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION WOULD BENEFIT FROM SPENDING MORE TIME STUDYING LANGUAGE ARTS?  (SEE  “CHOICES AND NATURAL CONSEQUENCES”)     

A DIFFERENT ESSENTIAL TO LEARNING IS MOTIVATION, WHICH IS ANOTHER CONCEPT SUBJECT TO MISUNDERSTANDING AMONG THOSE LACKING IN LANGUAGE ART SKILLS.  SINCE MOTIVATION IS AN INTERNAL RESPONSE TO EXTERNAL STIMULI, IT IS INCORRECT TO SPEAK OF TEACHERS “MOTIVATING” STUDENTS AND, BY DEFINITION, IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO DO SO.  IT IS THE TEACHER’S ROLE TO PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE STIMULI FOR LEARNING WHATEVER KNOWLEDGE THEY WISH TO IMPART.  DEPENDING ON THE “COMPETENCY” OF THE TEACHER, A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS MAY BECOME “MOTIVATED” TO LEARN, WHILE OTHERS CERTAINLY WILL DECLINE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT “MOTIVATED" TO DO SO.
     

OF COURSE, IT IS NOT ONLY THE TEACHER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO APPLY APPROPRIATE STIMULI TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO LEARN.  SOCIETY, THROUGH RESPONSIBLE PARENTING (PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT COG IN THE LEARNING PROCESS) AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY, IN ITS MANY MANIFESTATIONS, ALSO PROVIDES THE STIMULI, FOR BETTER OR WORSE, THAT DETERMINES WHAT, AND TO WHAT EXTENT, STUDENTS WILL BECOME MOTIVATED TO LEARN. IF YOU DOUBT THE VERACITY OF THIS, PLEASE REFER TO THE MOTIVATION, EMANATING FROM SOCIETY, FOR LEARNING TO BOUNCE A BALL.  ADDITIONALLY, HAS ANYONE EVER NOTICED HOW FEW OF THESE SUPPOSEDLY INCOMPETENT STUDENTS FAIL TO PASS THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE EXAM? GIVEN SUFFICIENT REASON, MOST YOUNG PEOPLE SEEM TO RESPOND COMPETENTLY.     

RETURNING TO THE SUBJECT AT HAND, MANY EXAMINATIONS NOW EXIST TO MEASURE GRADE LEVEL LEARNING IN LANGUAGE SKILLS. THEREFORE, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT ALL STUDENTS (TEACHERS ALSO, IN MY HUMBLE OPINION) SHOULD BE SCREENED AND THE "COMPETENT" STUDENTS PERMITTED TO ESCAPE THE UNNECESSARY USURPATION OF THEIR TIME. SCHOOLS COULD THEN FOCUS ON THOSE STUDENTS WHO NEED EXTRA HELP TO IMPROVE THEIR INADEQUATE ABILITIES IN LANGUAGE ARTS, MATH AND SCIENCE (THE CORE OF ANY EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVOR), RATHER THAN USING THEIR OPTIONAL TIME ON PASTIMES EQUAL IN VALUE TO "BOUNCING A BALL", WATCHING TELEVISION OR PLAYING ELECTRONIC GAMES. IF THIS IS PERCEIVED TO BE DISCRIMINATORY, SO BE IT. I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED DISCRIMINATING PEOPLE. OF COURSE, DISCRIMINATION IS A FAR DIFFERENT CONCEPT FROM PREJUDICE, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER SUBJECT ALSO.     

SINCE THE PERPETRATORS OF THE STATUS QUO WILL UNDOUBTEDLY DEFEND THE PRESENT SYSTEM BY ATTACKING THE NEW ONE AS "IMPRACTICAL" IF NOT DISCRIMINATORY (IMMORAL?) AND IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT, PERHAPS IT IS WELL TO DEAL WITH THESE OBJECTIONS UP FRONT.      

WHERE WILL THE TEACHERS COME FROM TO IMPLEMENT ADDITIONAL READING INSTRUCTION FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL POPULATION? IT IS REPORTED (BUT UNVERIFIED) THAT ALL TEACHERS ARE NOW OVERWORKED AND UNDER APPRECIATED ECONOMICALLY, IF ONE IS TO BELIEVE THE PUBLIC RELATIONS MACHINES OPERATED BY THE UNIONS. THEIR REASONING POINTS OUT THAT “CHANGE” CANNOT BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (READ MORE MONEY FOR TEACHERS).   MAYBE THIS IT TRUE, BUT, GIVEN A CURRICULUM GUIDE, IT OCCURS TO THE AUTHOR THAT ALL TEACHERS, REGARDLESS OF SUBJECT MATTER, SHOULD POSSESS THE ABILITY TO TUTOR STUDENTS IN REMEDIAL LANGUAGE ARTS.


PERHAPS “ALL” IS A VAIN EXPECTATION.  THERE DOES SEEM TO BE A NUMBER OF TEACHERS IN RURAL AREAS AND THE GHETTOS WHO ARE DEFICIENT IN LANGUAGE ARTS THEMSELVES, THE RESULT NO DOUBT, OF RECEIVING “PIECES OF PAPER” WITHOUT DESERVING THEM.  PERHAPS, THE FIRST REQUIREMENT SHOULD BE FOR TEACHERS TO BE ABLE TO READ, WRITE AND SPEAK OUR NATIVE TONGUE, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON “SPEAKING” STANDARD ENGLISH AND PROHIBITING THE USE OF GUTTURAL DIALECTS IN THE CLASSROOM. IF PRESENT TEACHERS DO NOT POSSESS THE LANGUAGE SKILLS THAT WE DESIRE FOR OUR STUDENTS, THEN WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR NEW TEACHERS.


IT IS ALSO LIKELY THAT THESE PURPORTEDLY UNDERPAID TEACHERS WOULD APPRECIATE AN EXTRA HOUR'S PAY FOR AN EXTRA HOUR'S WORK. FURTHERMORE, THEY WOULD PROBABLY LINE UP, IF NOT ARM WRESTLE, TO RECEIVE AN EXTRA MONTH'S PAY FOR AN EXTRA MONTH'S WORK DURING NORMAL SCHOOL VACATION TIMES. THEY MIGHT ALSO BE INCLINED TO UTILIZE SATURDAYS FOR SUCH SUPPLEMENTARY EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.  IT IS WRYLY SUGGESTED THAT THE TIME FRAMES INVOLVING SATURDAYS AND VACATIONS WOULD PROVIDE EXACTLY THE STIMULI REQUIRED FOR NEEDY STUDENTS TO BECOME “MOTIVATED” TO MASTER THE LANGUAGE ARTS. THE LACK OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF IS OBVIOUSLY A “RED HERRING” FOR THOSE WITH ULTERIOR MOTIVES.     

WHAT ABOUT BUSSING? (NO, NOT THAT KIND) IT IS REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE STUDENTS NEEDING HELP IN LANGUAGE SKILLS RIDE BUSSES TO SCHOOL.  IS THIS ANOTHER REASON PROVIDING EXTRA TIME FOR NEEDY STUDENTS TO STUDY LANGUAGE ARTS WON'T WORK? MAYBE, BUT, WITH THE EXTRA TIME IN A SCHOOL DAY, COMPETENT STUDENTS COULD BE AFFORDED THE UNHEARD OF OPPORTUNITY OF DOING SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING, SUCH AS STUDYING (MAYBE NOT), SETTING UP SPECIAL INTEREST CLUBS AND GROUPS (IF ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT NEEDS A "LIST", I AM AVAILABLE FOR A FEE) :-) OR, HEAVEN FORBID, THEY COULD PARTICIPATE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD GET THEM OFF OF THEIR NOT SO LITTLE DUFFS AND IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER  "INTRAMURALS"?


OF COURSE, “IF” THE PARENTS OF THESE FLAGGING STUDENTS WERE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION OUTSIDE OF NORMAL SCHOOL DAYS, YOU CAN BET YOUR LIFE THAT THESE STUDENTS WOULD RECEIVE NUMEROUS REINFORCING “STIMULI” AT HOME TO REMEDY THEIR DEFICIENCIES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.     

THE STUDENTS WILL NEVER STAND FOR IT. SORRY STUDENTS! YOU NEED TO LEARN LANGUAGE SKILLS AND YOU WILL DO IT OR SUFFER THE “NATURAL CONSEQUENCES”.  THE END! (SEE CHOICES AND NATURAL CONSEQUENCES)     

THE FAMILIES WILL NEVER STAND FOR IT. REALLY? DESPITE THE ALLEGATIONS OF SOME PROFESSIONALS, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT MOST FAMILIES, OF ALL RACES AND ECONOMIC STATUS, WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO HAVE A GOOD EDUCATION. IN ALL OF MY YEARS IN EDUCATION, I WAS NEVER ONCE APPROACHED BY A PARENT ASKING THAT THE SCHOOLS PROVIDE A LOUSY EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN.  IN ADDITION, AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE WILL PROVIDE MORE “FREE” BABY SITTING FOR THOSE SAME STRUGGLING PARENTS, WHO ARE NOT AS INDIFFERENT TO QUALITY EDUCATION OR LACKING IN ASTUTENESS, AS SOME WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE.  VAMOS A VER.     

REMEMBER, THERE COULD THERE BE A BETTER WAY, BUT THAT IS FOR THOSE HIGHLY PAID EXPERTS, WITH SUPPOSEDLY SUPERIOR MENTAL CAPACITIES TO PROPOSE, IF THESE  "LOCAL NOTIONS", AS OPPOSED TO THE VARIOUS IDEAS GENERATED BY A PLETHORA OF COMMITTEES FROM WHICH THE WORLD NOW SUFFERS, DO NOT SUFFICE.


ENJOY! TOM