ramble on

Okay. Readers, who I very much was flattered by your comments and was much surprised by the amount of them, though that may have something to do with the internet and my ignorance of it, I have some things that would probably be described as “odd” to say via computer. I would like comments, of course, but do what you will. There will be, by inspiration, an “I’m K.O, You’re K.o> ” essay coming soon enough. The first one took about a year to create including reewrites and all that. I thought it might be a book when I started it.

This next piece won’t take as long to write, I think. But I ramble.

In my secret ring I fill…

I started as something or other.  Now I am here.  This what I have to sa

It has some bit of a spiritual tone to it, as the readers of my posts can suspect, but it also has more of what I dare to call a realistic, or “now-ish” thing to it.  Take it or leave it.  Here we go:

Lost as I am, a foolish heart, roaming amongst the twilight skies.  I dare to imagine something new, something kind, something that will bear me away from these pains and agonies of dares and treacheries and deceits of the blinded , greedy, arrogant, ego legend men bound with too much power than they can consciously control.

All I have now is the only goodness that has, was, had will alway be.

I dare to mention that I am aware of it.  I don’t know what will happen now, but I do know that I will have more to say before all is said and done.

Keep the faith

Keep the faith

Is it just me or do people these days seem to be abusing the gift of the pleasure of sexual relations? It seems like it’s used like a drug to escape reality. I suppose that it’s human nature to a certain extent, to talk about things of a sexual nature, but when you turn on the television and all your senses are badgered with images of half naked women trying to sell anything from cars to diapers, that may be taking it a bit far. Of course it isn’t just women that are being used in these kind of sales tactics; the CEOs and such will use whatever it takes to make the almighty dollar. It’s old news that sex sells. But at what cost?

I remember the first time I heard what was considered a “bad word” on network television. I believe the word was “damn.” I was a bit shocked. I was even more surprised the first time I heard the word “ass” on network television. That kind of language on public access airwaves is taken for granted these days and nobody really raises a big stink about it The children of this world are being exposed to this sort of thing and they think that it’s not a bad thing to say what I was brought up to recognize as “bad words.” They are accustomed to what was once considered immoral and sexually explicit material in video games, network television, music, movies, etc. This has been happening for quite a while—long enough, anyway. Long enough that a callous has grown on the morals and ethics of society that it’s no wonder that there are so many unplanned pregnancies in the United States, even with such easy access to contraceptives. It’s also not surprising that the younger generation is a more violently aggressive one. It’s also not surprising that the younger generation is very materialistic believing whoever has the most stuff is the better person and it doesn’t matter how you get it. Religion, spirituality, ethics, morals, or whatever you want to call what used to be a major facet of human society in general, has all but disappeared.

I’m not quite sure when things started getting out of hand. Probably a very long time ago. Regardless of when things started getting funky, they are all funked-up now and the statistics (for what they are worth) speak for themselves. I read that 47% of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. Given the variety of contraceptive devices available and the activists working very hard to educate and assist people in safe-sex practices, that is a ridiculously high percentage, which led me to ask why such a high percentage. There are still a lot of myths that are circulated like that a woman can’t get pregnant while menstruating, etc., which is obviously attributed to lack of education. I discovered that some women purposely stop using birth control when they find a man with “appealing characteristics” who might make a good father, without telling the prospective father. Of course it isn’t all the women’s responsibility when it comes to birth control—it takes two to tango. Some men feel like wearing a condom might contest their masculinity. Still, in comparison to men, women do have a lot more options when it comes to contraceptive devices, and for the sake of argument, I do include surgical options in that comparison.

The evidence of immorality or whatever term one might use is obvious, but the cause is what is most important. I would also like to add, before I continue, that given the state of the world at present, 2009, it is obviously in a great transitional period. The United States of America doesn’t have the influence it once did. Although it still is has cultural, military, and some political influence internationally, it has lost a lot of ground in other areas. But, still, the USA still has probably the biggest influence culturally in the world. For some reason, if Americans think it’s cool, no matter what it is, most of the rest of the world will too.

This isn’t the first time that there has been a country similar to the United States. The Greek and Roman and even Egyptian empires were very similar. They were very religious and then they got big as the world, as they knew it, got small, and they fell. Also, their power made them arrogant. (Here I must say that I am a not a religious person. I am one who believes in good and evil and that they are an ever present thing. I also believe in the very old truths that have been said in different ways in different religions. I also believe that Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice by God because he loves humans so much. I believe in the prophecies of the New Testament in the Holy Bible and other prophecies and signs that happen from time to time. I will likely elaborate in another essay at another time.) The founding fathers of the United States, from what I know of history, were pretty religious. In fact, I believe that religion was one of the main reasons that this country was founded. It seems like religion, spirituality, or whatever, has been lost in general in American society, compared to about 200 years or so ago. The images on television, internet, video games, etc., would probably give George Washington a heart attack, not just because he’s seeing a television either. Some of the lyrics on some of the songs that are played seem to have no potential for positive influence at all, actually they seem to have negative intent.

I don’t know who to blame for this apparent fall of human society. Obviously the greed of the people who are more interested in money than the consequences of their actions and continue to manipulate and abuse the media and people who are patrons of the media must take some responsibility. If they claim to not know the consequences I would probably not believe them. I’m certain that there is a lot of research that goes into finding out the best way to trigger the desired response when promoting or investing in a product. Still, to be fair, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. By that I mean that if society didn’t like it they wouldn’t take so much interest in it.

Sometimes I take comfort in thinking that the older generation in the 1950s was freaking out to the way kids were dancing to rock n’ roll and I wonder what teens now might think when they reach my age about teens in the future. I also wonder if, given the way the world seems so screwed up, more than it has ever been, if there will be a future; one to speak of anyway.

Keep the faith folks and try to do the right thing. Nobody’s perfect so just do the best you can, and remember it can always be worse.

Hello

Monsters and bonksters  and rumsters and you know whatsers!

Step  in line!  It  is time for the shine show how bright it really is!

It ain’t easy.  But it ain’t TOO hard.

Life is for  the living, and death is for the dead.

h

all right

I get so tired of the blah, blah, halb that usually goes on in some blogs and such, but what is a guy ta do?  I’m a creative intelligent fellow trying to survive in this world like everyone else.  Granted, times are hard, but when have they never been hard, relatively speaking.  People are people.  No offense intended to anyone, but I do think that there are differences between males and females.  I also believe that there are similarities.  Males and females can be quite productive together in more ways than just making babies

Still there is the world.  However unsettling it might be, the times they are a-changin’.  They always have been, I suppose.  I used to think that it was just me when I got this certain feeling until I met others who felt this way, but What I am saying is that if you can look a mirror in the eye and tell it the truth, then you’re doin’ all right.

Finally some poetry!

Now for a couple poems. I suppose I should since the site is called “underdogpoems.”

Care-full

Now that I am old

what do I care?

Sitting here in my

underwear

and my winter sweater

and tattered faded blue buttoned shirt.

What do I care?

Women are still important to me,

but a woman is

hard to find.

I guess I care.

Yes. I care.

I care that people do not understand,

some of them,

many it seems, to my discontent,

that happiness lies withing their hands.

And it is getting cold in the desert,

and deserting Las Vegas.

What did you ever expect

Sin City?

What did you ever expect world?

What do I care?

Oh, I care.

I care.

Not just brown

Surrounded by brown

and fancy letters on retired

advertisements signifying

individuality.

And still there is brown.

There are soft colored places of

solitude that do imply

sociability. Nice. Very nice.

Compared to the

oppressive brown.

The letters,

all over the place,

compete for attention.

Some deserve it more than others,

but they get their fair share.

And the images!

Oh, the images!

Though brown is quite obvious,

there are many more

pleasant images

than just brown.

I’m K.O, you’re K.O.

Nothing against my fellow humans

What does it mean to be an American? The United States of America is the country I was born in, but I often hear different ideas from different peoples, including Americans, what it means, exactly, to be an American and what an American is.

This country is populated by people from all different parts of the world. In every major city there are large neighborhoods dedicated to the ethnicity of the people who live there like Chinatown(s) and Little Italy(s). To be American doesn’t have any sort of prerequisite except that the United States is the place you physically call home, and some red tape with the government and all that—can’t do it the easy way. It would be nice if it all could be done the easy way with just a nice “Welcome to the United States of America, you are now an American.” Just about every national government has “red tape” that an individual must get covered with to legally become a citizen of their country. There are certainly some people that for some reason or another should have a little red tape on them no matter where in the world they are. Regardless of that, it seems that throughout the world in all countries people have forgotten or simply ignore the fact that people are people no matter what they look like and fear and distrust fuel things like hatred and malicious violence. It’s a bit disappointing to think that after all these centuries of spiritual and political awakenings and re-awakenings humankind hasn’t figured out that life would be much easier if we all tried to get along.

.

There have been people throughout history who have made inspiring attempts to unite the

world in peace whose teachings, ideals or whatever you want to call them have strong influences on virtually every aspect of our lives, whether we realize it or not Unfortunately, the people of the world are still not living in peace together. It’s very strange that the messages of love from the great peacemakers did not work. I suppose that can be a difficult thing to keep going strong when there are those who believe that they benefit from “not-love,” for lack of a better term, and encourage people through lies and deceit to go the way of not-love. We are all imperfect human beings susceptible to the deceit and trickery of not-love. It would be wise to learn to recognize the people that empower and are empowered by this dark force so that one can be prepared for the treachery and guile which always accompanies it. Life may sometimes feel like one step forward for two steps back, but like in all the old and not so old stories, you will find that in life also the good guys always win. What is important is knowing who the good guys and the bad guys are.

Since it’s what is generally defined as “bad” that is causing the most trouble in the world I think that it is important to define what bad actually is. It seems like throughout history the ones who have eventually earned the title of what is popularly known as “bad guy,” also the promoters of not-love, have been the people who have basically lived up to the Oxford American Dictionary’s definition of bad, which is “morally depraved; wicked.” When people have murdered, stolen, disrespected their fellow humans (to name just a few “bad” things) or encouraged others to do such things nothing good ever happened, except maybe that people united for a single purpose to stop them from doing those things. Still, it would be better if people could unite under better circumstances, but get it how you can I guess. Most spiritual beliefs in the world have the same basic idea about what bad and good is and they all seem to share the same basic concept about who the “bad guy” is. Still, for some reason they have not united under that commonality which allows them to sometimes become subject to the deceit and treachery of the bad guy. What’s the problem here? If they share the same beliefs why don’t they unite to destroy the force that is trying to destroy them individually? It seems to be a matter of human pride, arrogance, and the corruption that comes with power, to name a few things. If people truly want to accomplish a goal together history has proven that they can do it, still they don’t take the opportunity when it is within their grasp.

People are not perfect and it is foolish to think that we never make mistakes. One should understand that forgiving others and being forgiven is a valuable part of life and a power that should not be underestimated. There are those, I am sad to say, who abuse the forgiveness that is offered to them, not understanding that forgiveness is a priceless gift and not to be taken for granted. There are also those who for some reason don’t acknowledge their gifts of forgiveness and to forgive and never use them. We all must realize that we each have the ability to forgive and that to do it is a major factor in the peace process. Perhaps if we were a bit more empathetic and understand that everyone suffers because of the same kinds of basic tragedies and receive enjoyment from the same basic pleasures we would realize that we are not all so different and can live in a peaceful environment if we would trust each other. Easier said than done, I know; with the way this world is whoever makes the first trusting move must really believe in their cause.

The people of the world, more precisely the leaders, need to take a playground “time-out” to give themselves a chance to get an honest, uninhibited look at the direction the world is going, because it isn’t just a ball of countries anymore. When a person can make a donation to a charity in another country at the push of a button or another can steal money from another country in the same manner, this is a world of human beings, not Americans, Irish, Ethiopians, Russians, Turks, Chinese, and whatever else people have decided to call themselves throughout the history of the world. The world wide web is just one example of the ties that bind us as human beings. Another example of something that we have in common is being confident about what we hope for and doubtless about what we do not see: faith, if you will.

Letting the people of this planet know the things that they have in common would be a logical way to get everyone to meet on a kind of common ground. I suppose that one would have to figure out what humans can all agree that they have in common in the first place to get them all to meet on that ground. It sounds like a tough task, but maybe it’s not. Human beings all have the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing; everyone likes to be entertained in some way or another; everyone has some sort of faith (even atheism and agnosticism is arguably a faith); human beings are generally social creatures; and they all appear to have a desire to lead and/or be lead. There are many more things that people have in common, but the point is that as different as we may seem to each other, we are all still human beings who share the same atmosphere, the same land, and the same primary joys and sorrows.

To now for the most part I have not been referring to any specific country or leader, and with good reason. Every country has some positive and negative qualities. America is a relatively young country to have so much influence on the rest of the world. Materialistic and unafraid of using violence, it is an eclectic country as far as culture, race, language, religion and about anything else you can think of which makes it very easy for things like racism, fear and paranoia to grow. Europe has a relatively strong economy, civilizations that have persevered for centuries (which is probably one of the reasons they are more tolerant of ethnic traits) and continental unification. Far eastern countries have civilizations with a long history also, and, like Europe, they are very rich with their own unique culture that has lasted for centuries. Though religious population is relatively passionate, there is a history of conflict within some of those countries due to leadership. Middle-eastern countries have probably the oldest civilizations documented with a passionately religious population that appears to be the cause of an ongoing conflict that has been going on for centuries and is spreading throughout the world. Separation of church and state, which is the policy in most governments in the world, is not the case in these devoutly religious countries. North Africa’s way of life usually coincides with the condition of the middle-eastern countries. They have a long history together as enemies, in trade, as allies and neighbors. The rest of Africa is generally poor with countries that have inner conflicts because of, like some countries in the far and middle-east, leadership. From southern North America to most of South America, though rich in culture and nature, there are poor economies, political corruption and crime. It seems that out of all of these major influences in the world, the governments that have appeared to be the strongest and persevere are the democratic and democratically based governments. Though not perfect, they do appear to be the ones where existence is the most pleasant, and it does appear that the U.S. is the self-appointed representative for democracy throughout the world.

Perhaps that is what makes America so strong; of course its strength and worldly influence may have something to do with the billions of dollars spent on the nation’s defense budget, but that’s another topic. The responsibility of a single government with such enormous power to the world and its own people is considerable. I suppose that those in power could easily become confused about what is best for the world, especially these days when the need to be defensive is a major factor in peoples’ lives—especially in the United States. With power comes much temptation and corruption is always knocking at the door. There will always be a need for a government, more specifically, leadership. No matter what person or persons is in power there will always be distractions from the pursuit of what is right, unless the source of the distraction can be found and an agreeable change can be made to stop the distraction. This power of influence that America has should be used for the good of the world, because, as I mentioned before, it is not just a world of countries anymore when a person in one hemisphere can communicate with another person in another hemisphere at relatively the same time at the push of a button.

Democracy was originally conceived around 500 B.C. in Greece and it was a brilliant idea with the best intentions (though Aristotle and Plato did not like it at all). As the concept evolved throughout history it was perfect for its time when North America was the “new world” and there were still places and peoples on Earth that were undiscovered. Theoretically, one could say that this new age that humanity is in at the beginning of the twenty-first century with things like the world wide web and satellites that can read the license plate of a car is similar to the new world that gave birth to what the founding fathers of the United States called democracy. This can give one the impression that a change is due. It seems like the world is very close to having a one world government. Whether that government will be a democracy, communist, monarchy, socialist or whatever I don’t know. Perhaps in these changing times a new form of government will be conceived, taking the best qualities of all of the governments that have ever existed. Whatever the case, it certainly appears that something is bound to happen on a global, powerfully influential scale. The major obstacles that seem to be preventing such a thing from coming to fruition are political and religious, especially religious. I suppose there are cultural differences but those are minor obstacles, because people have been enjoying each other’s differences in many different ways as long as history has been recorded.

As far as the religious/spiritual differences among people, one thing that almost everyone who claims some kind of religion has in common is the desire for peace, love and happiness for all. There are some who have the religious/spiritual belief that is directed toward the darker, quick and easy path and they will get their reward. There are some who have understanding who know who The One is who has The Light which leads the way through darkness and forgives sin and they will get their reward. There are also those who have no understanding they too will get their reward. Religion and spirituality is a part of every person’s life, directly or indirectly and it should have some part in government, much like the Roman Empire (though the Roman Empire was polytheistic until approximately 313 A.D. when Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity). If we could all realize that we are worshiping the same God and respect each other’s methods of worship, or perhaps compromise about a method of worship, religion(s) would be much less of a hindrance when attempting to peacefully unite the world.

Money, or should I say the love of money, is definitely playing an important role in the world these days and it is influencing the increasing gap between the rich and the poor. There will always be wealthier and poorer people, but if there are only those who have and those who don’t have, if we can learn anything from history, that is definitely a problem. Since the peoples of the world are more unified than in the past the problem of economic imbalance becomes another straw on the camel’s back along with political and religious differences which all boils down to, yes I’ll say it, what is right and what is wrong. This is a bit of a dangerous subject because every culture (however diverse), religion (however diverse), and generation (however diverse) have their moral and ethical standards (however diverse), every individual within each of these categories does also. The peculiar (or maybe not) thing is that the morals and ethics people of the world are basically the same. Nobody in their “right” mind wants to be robbed or raped or murdered or anything unpleasant of that nature, yet things like that are still done. Perhaps it is the simple idea that the great peacemakers have been passing on for centuries in so many different ways that “You reap what you sew” and karma and “What comes around goes around.” It happens all of the time in peoples’ lives and they still don’t get it. It certainly has something to do with the influence of the ones who believe in the power of UN-love. If people, and I certainly include myself when I use that plural term, could learn to recognize and overcome those dark forces life together would be much easier and more peaceful, however there would probably be some kind of conflict with the UN-love people. That is inevitable. It has been written about many times throughout history in many different ways. The great battle between good and evil. Unfortunately, these days it’s getting more and more difficult to tell who is on whose side. Like the old saying goes, “there are no rules in love and war.”

About getting the world together on some sort of common ground, one must take into consideration money. The United States is the probably spends the most money in the world in the context of corporations, government, and individual consumers. Countries like China, which have the ability to produce what spenders want to buy because of their ability to produce things cheaply, which likely has something to do with the government of China and the large population of the country, should like every country and person, recognize their weaknesses. The point I am trying to make is that consumers like the United States, which apparently is taking advantage of China’s cheap labor and natural resources to the disadvantage of China (some can be blamed on China’s government, of course) which causes pollution, diseases, and known and yet unknown environmental destructive problems which have a powerful influence on the whole world. The world leaders, especially the United States of America, which seems to have the power to influence the world to do this or that, should make a decision on whether or not to do this or that. It may sound simple or not. Currency is not the only factor involved in that major decision that effects the world. There is spirituality/religion, politics, culture, science/technology, and simple communication. Of course I cannot forget what everyone knows deep in their hearts. Everyone knows what is right and what is wrong. Everyone knows what is Good and what is bad. I just pray that God’s will be done and we don’t blow ourselves up.

The Tower of Babel

The Tower of Babel

The United States truly is a wonderful place to live right now, regardless of the economic state that it is in. The benefits that the poorer classes are allowed by the government are wonderful compared to how some other countries treat the underprivileged. The poor, elderly and handicapped have access to social security benefits, food, housing and other basic necessities provided by the government that the same people in other countries must beg for and sometimes never get. Often they must resort to stealing, prostitution and other criminal activities simply to survive. Often they die of disease and malnutrition because they cannot get the basic necessities that many of us take for granted. When I compare this government to some other countries like that, even though I consider myself more of an earthling than an American, I must smile when I hear The Star Spangled Banner.

Most of the time I take a more objective look at my fellow countryfolk and am disappointed. Through observation and personal interaction with people I discover that many Americans take what they receive for granted. They even go so far as to abuse their privileges. I admit that I had done it in my youth (I have epilepsy so I receive SSI and SSD) but after seeing some of the tragedies in other countries I learned to be thankful for what I have and not take it for granted. Things like freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to vote and the welfare programs are some opportunities that we are allowed as Americans that make this country great. To speak badly about a political leader in some countries could get a person killed or “disappeared.” A person who openly admitted homosexuality could have similar consequences, if not worse. It seems like so many Americans have forgotten where they came from. It seems that they have forgotten the struggles and sacrifices of their predecessors that helped make this country great, including the Civil War, the Suffragette Movement, and even the Civil Rights Movement (which gave rights to many—not just black people), to name just a few. Those were humbling times for America and Americans when it was inconceivable to many United States citizens that they could be challenged on a worldly scale, let alone within. No one doubted the government. Women had their place. “Negroes” had their place. Children had their place. And “the man” was white and proud and arrogant and building that Tower of Babel brick by brick. My how times have changed.

These days “the man” doesn’t have a color, or should I say he has every color. “He” isn’t necessarily a man anymore, either. Racism is colorblind, and so are racists. Sexism isn’t just for women anymore. Women are holding important, powerful positions in government, business, and the military. There are various races in powerful positions in government. Homosexuality has become an accepted way of life and homosexuals don’t have to hide anymore. Given all of these apparently potentially positive social changes, it appears that humankind has blown another opportunity for growth. People still seem as arrogant and prideful as ever. They think that they can do it all, and do it all by themselves. Unfortunately it seems the struggles during the civil rights movement by different groups for acceptance and equality only made many of those groups more defined and separated. They received the civil rights that they fought for, gradually albeit, but at what cost? When the generations that live with the rights that their parents, grandparents, etc. earned and take them for granted, that is a great potential for a great problem. I don’t remember who said this, but when people forget their past they are destined to repeat it and the baby-boomers, the ones who made these important social changes happen, are getting too old to maintain the positions in society and government they’ve had for so long. When the next generation of lawmakers, law enforcers, business owners, etc. take their places I pray that they are pleasantly reminded of how it was possible for them to get there. I hope that they realize that the 1960s wasn’t just about sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. I don’t think anybody wants another Kent State or something that will provoke a Million Man March, but if the younger generations don’t know what Kent State was about or the reasons for the Million Man March something like that may happen again.

Nobody wants that, I would think, but unless the younger generations get educated and humbled Americans will be knocked off of the pedestal that they are building higher and higher for themselves.

Younger generations must realize that money is not the most important thing in life. One of the most important things that this country was founded on was religion, or spirituality, or God. When people begin to forget their roots and leaders and citizens of powerful countries become corrupted by that power they easily forget about what really matters—loving your neighbor wherever he and/or she may be–they are setting themselves up for failure. There are many examples of that throughout history from the Egyptian Empire, the Roman Empire, and even the Soviet Union, to name a few. They all seemed to start off with good enough intentions, but eventually, as so often happens with humans, they were corrupted by power. It seems to come down to knowing the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Wisdom, the basic truths about what is right and wrong, is acquired over many years and never changes, though it does grow. There can be more wisdom learned throughout the years, but it rarely if ever changes the wisdom of the past. Knowledge acquired now and tomorrow can omit knowledge of yesterday which makes it less important, in the long run, than wisdom.

Humans have a history of becoming more arrogant with knowledge. Let us not build a tower of knowledge that is destined to fall.

Welcome to the world of thought, thinking and sharing

ideas.