Old Hippie Chronicles

Tell Me It's Not So ~ I've Turned Into My Parents

2011-06-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

Unthinkable for most of my life, but now it has happened. Yesterday I awoke to find that I had turned into my parents. It ruined my entire day. I was so depressed that I drove to town (15 miles each way) so I wouldn't have to cook dinner. When the dinner was served, I couldn't eat it. I asked for a "go" box and returned home. It's in the refrigerator now, so I'll try to eat it tonight. Thanks to fate, I had beer in the fridge, so I survived the night without eating. How does something like this happen? And to an Old Hippie no less! The overwhelming sadness and utter disillusionment of this realization has shocked me to my foundation.

My Mother and father were divorced when I was in the third grade, and she didn't re-marry until I reached Jr. High School. Soon after the divorce, my Grandfather died. Grandma came to live with us, and helped my Mother with me and my younger brother. He is five years younger than me. Growing up, I suppose that I was much like most kids of that era. Mom and Grandma didn't like the way I wanted to dress. They didn't like the music I liked. They didn't like the TV I wanted to watch. They didn't like the slang that I used, nothing dirty, but very improper language in their opinion. But it was no different for my friends. All of our parents were pretty much the same. But, in spite of it all, I grew up, and when I finally left home at eighteen, I swore that I would not be that way. And I wasn't, until now!

Maybe that is one of the reasons that attracted me to the Hippies. They had that "live and let live" philosophy. And when I had children of my own, I didn't do many of the things my Mother did. If my kids did something I didn't like, I talked to them and told them what I thought, but I always left the decision to them. And they turned out good. But, yesterday, I realized that all of that had collapsed. The sudden realization of that hit me like a torpedo striking an unsuspecting ship. I never saw it coming, then "BOOM"! The water rushes in, and the ship sinks beneath the waves, and a few minutes latter, it is as if it was never there. What happened?

Early yesterday, I was on the Netflix site, looking for some movies. I was getting frustrated, and then it hit me, I simply don't like some of today's most popular stars. I don't like Will Farrell, I don't like Ben Stiller, I don't like Jack Black and I don't like the "Teen Queens" of today. But don't like is OK, because everyone has likes and dislikes. What shocked me was that I was CRITICAL! For some reason, I didn't just let it go with that "live and let live" attitude I had always had. I was sitting there criticizing the movies! And I thought about it, and I was shocked at the discovery that I felt the same way about music. I hate rap and hip-hop. And the way kids dress. And the way they speak, with so much disrespect and false bravado. And I realized at that point that I had become just like my Mother. But when did this happen, and most important, how did it happen? To ME!

This thinking consumed my day, and all of the night. I didn't go to sleep until well after four this morning, thank you "Spirits of the Barley Nectar" for getting me through the night. Now, after so much thought, I have concluded that there are only two possibilities for this unthinkable tragedy to have happened to me. First, there is the possibility of an as of yet undiscovered gene in the DNA of human beings. One that lays dormant for many years, and is mysteriously activated at some point that changes us into our parents. This appeals to me on one level, that being that if this is the case, then there is a possibility that science can isolate this gene and develop a cure, thus saving future generations from having to endure this happening to them. But, there is another possibility, one far darker, one with no hope of a future cure.

Scary as it is to think about, the other possibility is "Paranormal"! Could the ghost of my Mother and Grandmother have visited me in the night? Could they have invaded my often muddled mind? Could they have reordered my judgement process? If not DNA, this is the only other possibility! Damn, sometimes I hate it when I am right! But what I fear more is that they may change something more. What could be next? Will I crave watching old episodes of "The Lawrence Welk Show"? Will I become a staunch Republican? Will I find religion and go on retreats? Oh, please tell me this can not truly be! I feel like "Scrooge" being visited by the ghosts of Christmas! My world has been thrown into turmoil, I've fallen and I can't get up!

So, today I am going to listen to all of the music I have from the 60s, the Folk Music, the Protest Music, the Rock and the Country Music. I am going to nothing but concentrate on thinking about the philosophies of the Hippies, thinking about live and let live. Maybe it will work. Wish me luck. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

TAPS 18+ ~ Great Website

2011-06-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

I recently joined http://www.taps18forum.com, a website from TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) when I was looking for information about things paranormal for this BLOG. Yes, I am interested in the paranormal and the unexplained, but that was not why I joined. This website is unexpectedly diverse. It is a forum based site dealing, naturally, with paranormal subjects, which I had expected. But it offers much more, including to my surprise, a very lively political debate section. I urge you to take a look at this site. The political views are astute in many instances, and the general discussions are interesting and loaded with humor. Time on this site is, in my opinion, time well spent. All sites are not created equal, but this one is high quality. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

New Support For My Candidacy ~ Celebrity Endorsement

2011-06-07T10:14:00.000-07:00

TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) has endorsed my candidacy for President! ~ This is of course a LIE! THEY DO NOT SUPPORT ME! And as far as I know, they don't even know about me nor do they care if they do know. But, every one of the other candidates is creating lies and no one seems to pay any attention. They make stupid remarks, make historically inaccurate statements, claim they didn't say things in the past that are on record and make promises they can never keep. But YOU are going to vote for one of them, and that is a very sad commentary about you. Why is this sad?

You will eventually vote for the person who has the best MARKETING CAMPAIGN, and not the person with the best ideas and approaches to problem solving. Your criteria is about looking good, not intelligence. You will choose, not on ideas, but on presentation. You will choose appeal over substance. You will choose appearance over capabilities. And you will get more of what you have been getting for years. You will get more war, more debt, more tax burden and more jobs being sent to foreign countries. Your tax dollars will be increasingly spent on foreign aid, and less on deserving Americans. And, you will cry and complain.

You will blame the Government for these problems. You will blame the wealthy for these problems. You may even blame one God or another. But they are not the problem. You are the ones who vote people into office. These problems are, and have always been, caused by you. If you want to change the problems, you have to change the way you vote. And, to make positive changes in the way you vote, you need to change your criteria, and vote for SUBSTANCE, not marketing hype. I'm just an Old Hippie, and this rant is only my opinion, but think about it. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

Prison System ~ It Makes No Sense

2011-06-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

America seems to have a very strange idea of prisons if you think about. Since I am "Old", I have way too much time to think, and being an "Old Hippie", well, often those things that I think about seem to take on a life of their own. So, I have asked myself a question, "What is the purpose of the prison system"? On the philosophic level, I think it is to segregate those people who can not live by the rules society has implemented. I think that this boils down to keeping convicted criminals somewhere separate from those who are law abiding citizens. But there is more to it, because people are sent to prison for different lengths of time, so they are reintroduced back into society at some point, at least the vast majority are. But inside the prison, it seems that they are treated very much the same way. For instance, prisoner A who is serving 5 years for car theft may be in a cell next to prisoner B who is serving 3 life sentences for 3 different murders. This doesn't seem right to me. So, the question of rehabilitation comes into this murky picture.

Prisoner A is scheduled to be reintroduced to society. He should be in a place that prepares him for this reintroduction. He should be in a place where he is given special education designed to make him a functioning member of society. He should be in a place that gives him the training needed to develop the job skills required to make a life in normal society. And his reintroduction into normal society should be dependent upon the success of this training. Isn't this what rehabilitation is about? Isn't rehabilitation about both teaching a person how to act and live in society, and giving them a skill set that will allow them to succeed? As for prisoner B, why wast time and taxpayer money on him? Put prisoner B in a place where there are nothing except those like him.

Interesting, in 2 paragraphs I have made an argument for 2 completely different types of prisons. Like discovering a new star, I'll name them. Prisoner A should be in what I will call the "Rehab Prison", and prisoner B should be located in what I am calling the "Lost Cause Prison". Cool names, yes? Both of these prisons should be totally new, not the structures, but the systems. First, the Rehab prison.

To begin with, it has to be DRUG FREE! America has been fighting the "War on Drugs" since the majority of Americans have been alive, and what has that accomplished? Simple common sense will tell you that if you can't keep drugs out of a prison, you will never keep them out of schools or the rest of society. So, fix the problem! Second, don't allow people in the Rehab prison to be screw-ups. Punish them for breaking the rules, and if they continue to break rules, use your heads and recognize that they are not capable of living in normal society. Ship them off to the Lost Cause prison and be done with them. Getting out of Rehab Prison and getting back into society should be a reward attained through personal success, not a foregone conclusion. Society does not want people to leave the prison system simply to be sent back because they go back to a life of crime. That is a big part of the problem with the current system. A prisoner is sentenced to 10 years, served 6 years, gets nothing more than an advanced degree in criminal activity, then gets out to become a smarter, more effective and efficient criminal. Where is the benefit to society with this?

The Lost Cause prison should be a very different place. These are people who will never be allowed to join society again. NEVER! So, send them to a place where they will never be a threat to society. Send them to a place where they can not escape from. Don't spend money on facilities, guards or support personnel. There are some islands in the Aleutians called the "Rat Islands". That sounds like a good place to put these people. Build the initial facilities there, supply the place with the things people need to survive there, drop them off there, and send a supply ship or plane there once a month to deliver food and other supplies. They can't be part of normal society, so let them develop their own. Their lives, their island, their rules, their society. Some of you will see this as inhumane, maybe not Christian, or too extreme. But, war is inhumane, not Christian and extreme, and America has never had a problem with going to war!

The point is that the current prison system does not work. Prisons today are rife with drugs, ruled by violent gangs and education centers and recruiting grounds for criminal activity. And, they cost a lot of money. Spending money on people is not a bad thing, but the taxpayer should benefit from the money spent. So, spend it where it will do the most good, and STOP spending it on "Lost Causes". But, I'm an Old Hippie, and maybe we don't think alike. Let me know how you would solve this problem. The problem is a real one, and someone needs to fix it. Have A Great Day.

The Old Hippie

Truth vs. Fact ~ Paranormal Reports

2011-06-04T08:36:00.000-07:00

Truth vs. Fact? Seems like one of those "Chicken or the egg" things, but there is something here that has always bothered me when I try to get my mind around certain things. Websters New World Dictionary says of "Truth": "suggests conformity with the facts or with reality, either as an idealized abstraction or in actual application to statements, ideas, acts, etc.". Interesting I think, and about "Fact": "a thing that has actually happened or that is really true; a thing that has been or is.". This definition has always been as confusing to me as the argument. They are close to the same, but, at the same time, they are not the same. This is really not much help for an Old Hippie, one who enjoyed possibly a little too much of the 60s.

In my own mind, I have separated them like this. A "Fact" is something that is verifiable and can be proved repeatedly by specific tests. Like the boiling point of water. The "Truth" is something believed to be fact, and sometimes is fact, but can not be proved. Still, confused, OK. The moon circles the Earth. That is a fact, because it can be proved mathematically. God created the heavens and the Earth. This is a truth because it can not be proved, but it is a truth because nearly all religions believe this to be the fact. Well, science doesn't accept this as fact or truth, but there is a rumor that scientists are a little different anyway. Still a little fuzzy? OK. So for the purpose of this insignificant little piece of writing, I will say that facts are provable and that truth is something that is generally accepted.

For most things in our lives the difference between fact and truth is of little difference. The sun will come up in the morning, fact or truth? No one cares because we all accept this. When you think about it, our lives are filled with things we simply take for granted. Our lives are governed by things we never question. We are truly creatures of habit. So much so that we miss seeing things that happen because they don't fit into the neatly arranged little box where we live our lives. Enter what we call "The Paranormal". The things we have no answers for. The cluttered box where all of those things we can't explain get thrown into.

If you think about it like this, paranormal it something beyond normal that we can't explain, no one will dispute it's existence. But there are things in that box that have seeded questions in my mind for a long time. One of these is "Spirits"! What are they? Something must exist here that science has never been able to explain, probably because there is no money in finding an explanation, but that is something different. Throughout both the oral histories and written histories of man, there have been references to Spirits. Gods, angels, demons, devils, fairies and ghosts. Every culture has written about them, talked about them, sometimes with love, sometimes with hate. They have been both admired and feared, both sought out and hidden from, they have been part of the lives on men since the beginning. But, are they real?

Yes, I think that the existence of Spirits is real! But, since there is no PROOF, I can't state that their existence is a fact. And the question is very clouded by the simple truth that where there are unprovable things, people will find a way to make a "Buck" with wild theories and theatrical gimmicks. We all know of those like "Madame Empty Your Wallet And I'll Contact Your Dead Husband", (Tough name to fit on a business card.), side show mentalists and others like them. But there are so many reliable references throughout our collective history, that it must prompt me to believe that there is something real here. What it is I have no idea, but I know that there is something that makes me believe that there are Spirits.

Unfortunately, "Hard Science" ignores this topic. But, recently there have been private groups who's goal is to find proof. Some are trying to make money doing this, which is neither good or bad. If you can make money in today's world, you need to do it. As long as what they report is not faked, bringing this phenomena into mainstream consciousness is a good thing. Personally, if I had the opportunity to join such a group, I would. Maybe someone reading this can give me some recommendations, (I have my own transportation.). And I would like to hear stories from you. did something happen to you that changed your mind? Write and tell me. Or, tell me about a book on this subject. I am an avid reader. I'm just an Old Hippie, and this is my opinion, right or wrong, good or bad. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

Paranormal & Unexplained Mysteries ~ A Believer?

2011-06-03T10:30:00.000-07:00

Paranormal phenomena and unexplained mysteries are rife throughout both the written history, and the oral history of people from every corner of the world. From cave drawings to recent reports, there has been a never ending tide of reports of ghosts, spirits, mysterious creatures, aliens, UFOs and personal encounters. The phenomenon is certainly not new, but is it real? Is there validity to these reports? We can all agree that there is more than the average number of "Charlatans, Fakes and Frauds" associated with this subject. But there are also some very believable people who have come forward with reports. And current reports are world wide. I can't seriously believe that someone from a small village in China, or India is trying to get publicity in America. This has been one of my interests for a very long time, and, I really want your opinions about anything having to do with this general subject. Give me your comments, and let's generate some discussion!

I'll start with "Bigfoot", after all, I was born and raised in California, and stories of him have always been very common there. But, similar creatures have been reported in Borneo, Nepal, Tibet, China, Mongolia, Russia, Canada and most states in the US! Stories from ancient history to recent sightings, Bigfoot, or his relatives, has been seen in many places around the world. If there is no basis for this, how is it possible for prehistoric people to have such similar descriptions in their oral histories? Granted, there is no smoking gun that gives proof positive that such a creature exists. There has never been a skeleton discovered, no one has ever shot one and put the stuffed thing in their den and none has ever been captured. But there is a ton of circumstantial evidence to support his existence.

Some video evidence exists that can not be proved to have been faked. Castings of footprints that have been proved to be real exist from the University of Idaho to universities in China. Credible accounts have been given from people all over the world. Audio recordings from animals or creatures that can not be identified by today's experts have been collected, hair samples from unidentified and undiscovered species have been found. People facing trial have been found guilty with less circumstantial evidence. And good old Bigfoot is not alone. The Loch Ness Monster has been reported for a very long time, but so has some relative in Lake Champlain, and another in Turkey.

There are too many related subjects for me to write about in a single post. Ghosts, spirits, angels and demons. UFOs, Aliens, alternate dimensions and psychic abilities. My questions are endless. Please tell me what you think. I always publish comments, and if you ask for it in your comment, I will email you. If you email me something worthwhile, I'll publish that also, the more the merrier. Have A Great Day6,

The Old Hippie

Socialist America ~ Yes or No

2011-06-02T09:38:00.000-07:00

People are calling Pres. Obama a "Socialist", which is neither here nor there, really. Obama is one man, and one man can not change the political and economic structure of a country the size of America. But when these same people call America a "Socialist Country", I have to sit back and laugh. Laugh at the gullibility of people, because they obviously believe everything they are told. But it is not a laugh conceived in mirth, it is a laugh stemming from sorrow, the type of sorrow born from desperation. Before you use words, I think it is important that you know their meaning. But in the America of today, words like Socialism are NOT used to tell the truth, but to SCARE people into voting one way or another. America is not Socialist, far from it.

Socialism, according to the definition in the "Websters New World Dictionary" is as follows: 1. any of the various theories or systems of ownership and operation of the means of production and distribution by the society or the community rather than by private individuals with all members of the society or the community sharing the work and the products. You may want to read this and learn it before you apply this word so quickly. Since America is solely based on private ownership of business and property, and since people in America have the opportunity to have a business, or to invest in another's business, and since the government is not the owner of business nor the distributor of the products of private business, America is NOT a Socialist Nation, not even close. America is Capitalist to the core!

Socialism does not work, as evidenced by a quick look at history. But, if you look at the problems in America, and the rest of the industrialized world today, you will see that a pure Capitalist system is not perfect either. Beginning with Regan and continuing through Bush "The Lesser", government regulations were reduced and eliminated in this country. The result was the near collapse of the financial industry during the Bush administration. The truth is that the recession happened during the Bush administration, and the repercussions are still being felt today. You can't blame that one on Obama, sorry, but you can't blame it on Bush entirely either. Clinton had his turn before Bush, and his administration also fueled the collapse. How did these administrations cause this collapse?

The collapse was fueled by the gluttony of the banks and insurance industry. In an effort to make more money, the banking industry convinced the government to reduce various banking regulations, and to hedge their bets, they bought insurance against defaulted loans. The banks made record profits, the insurance industry sold millions of policies which made them money, and like anything built on a foundation of sand, the whole thing began to collapse. Another example of the government working for the rich and powerful and not for the people.

If the United States and other major industrial nations are going to survive the test of time, they must find a balance that will allow business to grow and flourish, and at the same time protect the citizens. Easy to say, but difficult to accomplish. To do this, a government must develop "Regulations" that protect the people from the avarice of big business, but at the same time, allow business to grow and expand. Not an easy task, but I think a doable one.

Not everyone is good at everything, and this holds true for society as well. Government is better at some things than private business. Here is admittedly an extreme example. You can't privatize defense! Would you feel safe and confident in your lives if the military was made up of private businesses, competing with each other for the defense dollars? A Military consisting of forces controlled by GE, General Motors, Bank of America and a bunch of insurance companies? Obviously, the answer is no! But the government is not best at everything either.

We wouldn't want the government to take over the auto industry in America, we would end up with cars so safe and so poorly designed that they couldn't get out of their own driveways. Look at things and decide whether it is something best done privately or centrally, and and put it in the right place. But many things are not so easily placed. One of these is transportation. America needs a modern passenger rail transportation system. Amtrak is a joke and an embarrassment. America needs this, but private money is not interested, so I say that this is a good candidate for nationalization. The big one is health care. Many in this country have no health care. Employers who offer health care all do it differently. Insurance companies charge a fortune for individual policies. The rich will always have access to the best health care, but the average American is left hanging, and the poor are swept by the wayside. Every major country in the world has a national health care system except America. We need to join the rest of the world and develop a national health care system that works. We can send a space craft to Mars, I think that we are smart enough to develop health care.

I'm just one old guy, and to tell you the truth, I don't care who is responsible for something as long as it works, works well, smoothly and consistently. There is nothing wrong with nationalizing things that are best done centrally. Doing what is best for the people is the job of the government. But getting a health care system, or a national passenger rail system DOES NOT MAKE AMERICA SOCIALIST. There are too many "Fear Mongers" today who intentionally lie to the American people. Educate yourselves before you jump on the bandwagon of fear mongers. But, I'm just an Old Hippie, but an Old Hippie who can think and make up my own mind. Who are you, and what do you think? Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

The Truth You Don't Admit ~ Gotcha!

2011-06-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

Some "Old Hippie" observations are funny, some are sad, some are perplexing, and some are the simple truth you DON'T want to admit. Here are a few from this Old Hippie ~ ha-ha-ha...

There is nowhere left to go! For tens of thousands of years, people in the minority, those persecuted and those who just didn't like the way things were left. They went somewhere else. They were the fuel of human expansion. They spread to all corners of the globe. No more! There is nowhere on Earth left to go, except up and out. I think that this is one reason there is so much war and conflict in the world today. People can't get away, so they fight. If we want to get away, the only choice for us is "Space". Are you ready for that, ready to spend the money it will take, ready for such a drastic move?

Women's groups have long accused men of being interested in only one thing, SEX! If you listen to them, they are pure of heart and mind, the only possible salvation for mankind. But, if women aren't interested in sex, why do they spend a BILLION dollars a year on diet products? Why do they want a new wardrobe every year? Why do they spend hundreds of millions on makeup and hair color? Why do they all wear bikinis when so many of them don't look good in them? Sounds like one of those statements made by politicians, you know, "Two cars in every driveway and a chicken in every pot.", and we all know that you can't believe a politician.

Money can not buy you happiness. We have been told this crap for forever. Sounds to me like some trite saying created by rich people to keep the poor pacified. If money isn't able to buy you happiness, you are just one of those people with mental problems, sorry. If your money doesn't bring you happiness, give it to me! I'd love to accept your burden of money. See what a kind and generous person I am?

You DON'T need a new car every year or two! Today's cars last longer than ever before, so you don't need a new one. The truth is that you WANT one. Admit it, you have bought into the marketing hype that has infected mankind! Think about it, you spend $500 a month for your car payment, that's $6k a year, and you do it for 50 years! That is $300k! Any way you cut that, you bought a really expensive car.

Everyone eats Fast Food! Admit it, you eat fast food, that guy over there eats fast food, and I eat fast food. And we all know how BAD it is for us. It makes us fat, it causes heart problems, and it is so much easier when you don't have to clean the kitchen after a meal! Sure, we all know how bad it is for us, but it tastes good and we are basically a very lazy species.

Good for you, you got through this little post. I'm sure that you have things to add, so shoot me your comments. Let me know what you see and think. After all, I'm just an Old Hippie. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

My Pres. Campaign News ~ & Other Mysteries

2011-05-30T08:16:00.000-07:00

Time for an update on my Presidential Campaign. Candidates are announcing their bids, others are saying "No Way". The budget, seems to be the hot topic, but both sides are focusing on Social Security. So sad, but what can you expect from the same old people with the same old ideas and the same old special interests driving the tour bus. None of them wants to invite me to speak, none want to debate me and my ideas, none of them want to look at what Americans really want and really need. Not very surprising. So, I appear to be left out of the national focus, but not out of the hearts and minds of those committed to change.

They constantly tell you that America MUST remain strong, which really translates to more military spending. They constantly tell you that America can't afford to go on like it has in the past, and they advocate cuts in spending that hurt average Americans. They all tell you that America needs more jobs as their largest contributors move more jobs overseas. They all tell you that the war on drugs is a good thing for all of us, while it has never worked. They all tell you that America MUST help it's foreign friends around the world, but to do this they want to CUT budget items that help Americans. As far as I can see, nothing has changed, it is the same old song and dance.

My campaign is a simple one.

1. Remove the military from foreign countries.
2. Stop the wars in the Middle East.
3. Stop getting involved with the internal politics of other countries.
4. Penalize corporations who move jobs out of America.
5. Tax equality for ALL Americans.
6. Redesign education in America.
7. Organize government agencies for efficiency, thus saving billions of dollars every year.
8. Spend American tax dollars on Americans.
9. Develop a real and workable health care system in America.
10. Truth in politics and with politicians, or face CRIMINAL consequences.

This is not a perfect solution, but it is a start.It will not get done quickly, but as Grandpa said, "If you don't start to do something, you have decided to do NOTHING!" Think about this.

Now, on to some other mysteries.

I am seeing more and more ads for Hybrid and electric cars. I'm sure this is in part due to the astronomic gas prices we have been seeing, but think about it, the development of a "New Model" of auto takes YEARS to come to fruition. But having a new car that is powered by electricity, natural gas or hydrogen is only have the solution. Infrastructure has to be developed to fuel these new products! With this move toward alternative fuels also lead to the implementation of this infrastructure? Without a convenient way to refuel your new car, this much needed move toward alternative powered vehicles will die quickly.

More and more I see TV ads from lawyers telling you to jump on the band wagon for this class action suit or that one. This presented me with a very perplexing question. Are we now a society who is pushing the idea that taking money is preferred to learning how to make money? Kids watch a lot of TV. What are we teaching them?

At the same time, I see so many ads for debt relief and bankruptcy on the TV. Americans used to be able to live within their means. Now it appears that they want to live like the infamous 1%. The American people seem not to be listening to the political rhetoric of family values. Instead of doing good and living good, they appear to place more value on "Looking Good". I don't know where this will lead us as a nation, but it can't be a good place.

We have announced that the new aircraft carrier to be built will be named the John F. Kennedy. Like we need another aircraft carrier. My question is simply this: Did you know that to deploy an aircraft carrier requires DOZENS of other ships to be built to support it? Fleet oilers to supply the jet fuel, supply ships to supply food and equipment, munitions carriers to supply the bombs and missiles, radar ships, war ships to provide perimeter protection and on and on. Will there ever be an end to all of this madness?

Recently a poll was conducted. The stunning result was that nearly HALF of the high school kids could NOT locate North Dakota on the map. What does that tell you about education in this country? It tells me that North Dakota should declare itself an independent nation. Then you would have the opportunity to do things right, and since nobody knows where you are, no one will rush there to tell you how to do things!

Well, these are a few of my thoughts, but I am a simple Old Hippie. What about you? Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

Intelligence in America ~ Not So Intelligent

2011-05-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

Like that obnoxious TV ad says, "It's your money, what are YOU going to do about it"? What now you Old Hippie? What are you talking about? Simple, this is a list of the Intelligence agencies an the national level, here, in America. There are 15 of them! All of them funded by our tax dollars! In this time of record deficit spending which has brought this country to the brink of collapse, the highest deficit in history, there is a clamor in the nations capitol to reduce spending and reduce the national debt. But, as usual, the political system has the WRONG idea. One side wants to cut government programs, programs that help Americans. The other side wants to cut what they see as entitlements, but these are also programs that help Americans. BOTH sides want HEADLINES and their pictures in the news.

Below is the list I took from "Wikipedia" that lists the intelligence agencies in the federal government. You don't have to look at this list too closely to see that there are overlaps and redundancies here. Take a look! You don't have to have an advanced degree to see this!

Independent agencies
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
United States Department of Defense
- Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency (AFISRA)
- Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM)
- Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
- Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA)
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
- National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
- National Security Agency (NSA)
- Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI)
United States Department of Energy
- Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence (OICI)
United States Department of Homeland Security
- Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A)
- Coast Guard Intelligence (CGI)
United States Department of Justice
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
United States Department of State
- Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR)
United States Department of the Treasury
- Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI)^[6]

The U.S. Coast Guard has an intelligence agency? Why? Being no expert, I can't tell you, but being reasonably intelligent, I suspect that this is in large part because of drug shipments. Intercepting drug shipments into the US is part of their charter. But if you look, the DEA, whose primary responsibility is drugs, also has an intelligence agency. Isn't it just possible that there is a tiny bit of overlap here? I think that if this were a private business, they MIGHT try to install a phone line connecting these two, and ask that they call and talk to each other. And look here, the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps each have their own intelligence agencies! So, if each branch of the military needs it's own intelligence agency, what is the purpose of the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency)? And all are part of the DOD (Department of Defense). But the beat goes on....

The DOD also has NSA (National Security Agency). Homeland Security has I&A (Office of Intelligence and Analysis), and of all places for it, the Treasury Department has the TIF (Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence). Add into this fiasco the usual cast of clowns, the FBI and the CIA, and you have more built in redundancy than the Space Shuttle. And with this redundancy, you create turf wars, and turf wars create massive inefficiency. If ever there was an example of inefficiency, it is government at any level, but this is really too much.

Few would argue the value on intelligence agencies. We need them. But anyone with any common sense could look at the current structure and see government waste. How about cleaning this mess up, save the taxpayer some money and do a better job in the process! Here is a news flash for you in government, groups with the same responsibilities become competitive, they don't work together! Clean your own house before you attack Social Security and health care. And don't think for a minute that this is only a problem in the federal government, oh no! State, county and city governments need to do their own house cleaning before they cry for more money.

I could go on about this for hours, but you would quit reading, and I'd only get more angry. And there is a storm starting, so my Internet connection will be gone shortly. Lucky you. But I am only an Old Hippie, and this is only my opinion. What is yours? Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

You May Be A Hippie At Heart ~ A Test

2011-05-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

I know that I am getting older because I realize that those Hippies of my time become fewer each year. Most of you were not around during the "Summer of Love", "Woodstock" or the inception of "4:20". Perhaps you weren't a Hippie then, but is it possible that you are a Hippie of today? Possible that you have the soul of a Hippie and don't know it? Maybe, possibly. Can something such as this be proved? You see, I think that it is possible that some of you really are Hippies, but you don't know it, because you weren't there 45 years ago. Maybe the day of the Hippie was over before you were born, and since you never really saw them, you don't recognize traits within yourself. So I have come up with a little test, simple, and surely never to be mentioned in the "Harvard Medical Journal", but quite possibly self-revealing. Take it, I promise that it won't hurt. But try to be honest. No one but you will ever know how you answered. But, beware, you may learn something about yourself ~ ha-ha-ha...

1. Do you care more about Big Business, or the health of the environment.

A. Big Business, we need jobs.
B. Not my problem, I just want to live my life.
C. Nature is all of our Mother. Help her!

2. Do you think Love is a personal freedom because you have the right to show Love to whomever you choose? (Remember, there is a difference between love and sex.)

A. Love is NOT a freedom, it is an emotion.
B. Love is something you should be very careful with, very selective about.
C. Love is in endless supply, the more I give, the more I have to give again!

3. When you see a stranger, do you smile and say hello?

A. Absolutely not! You can't afford to encourage people you don't know in today's world.
B. Sometimes, if they look OK, but I am skeptical of some people I see.
C. Yes, a smile given results in a smile returned. Such a nice and simple human gesture.

4. Would you prefer to be seen with your friends, or be seen by your friends.

A. By my friends if I am being seen with cool people doing cool things.
B. Who cares, as long as I am seen, that's cool.
C. With my friends, because that is when I am happiest.

5. Do you see people of a different race or religion as things to be suspicious of, or as people you would be interested in talking with and learning about.

A. Absolutely, it is best if people stay with their own kind!
B. Sometimes because I don't trust the motives of others. They may subvert me!
C. I want to talk with them, learn about their culture, learn about their problems and joys.

6. Do you think that real learning comes from text books, or through life and the interactions you experience.

A. Real education can only come from school.
B. Real education means college, and finding a mentor in the world after graduation.
C. School is great, but real life, real experiences, meeting real people is required to understand what you have been taught.

7. Do you see the rich, famous and powerful as role models, or do you see people working hard to and trying to do the right thing as role models?

A. Rich, powerful and famous people drive the world. That is what I want to be, a driver!
B. I want more out of my life than simply surviving, I want to have the good things.
C. People who work hard and do the right thing are the backbone of society. They keep it together. They are the unsung hero's.

8. Do you think meals together are a time of enjoyment, or something to avoid and rush through?

A. I am always busy, I eat when and where I can.
B. Eating together is nice, but first things first.
C. Eating together is the highlight of my day, it is so much more than just a meal, it is a time of joy and interaction I relish.

9. When you look at a country scene, do you see the beauty of nature or the potential for resources and a new housing development?

A. I am always looking for opportunity. When you see it, you can't allow it to pass.
B. I don't think about it one way or another. It is simply there, and if it changes, it isn't because of me.
C. Natures wonders must be preserved for all time. The beauty of nature is something to be protected.

10. Do you believe that all people have the same basic needs, or that they need only what someone else wants them to have?

A. People need to be taught the right religion and the right political and economic way of life.
B. We need to help those less fortunate than ourselves. We need to give them missionaries, political advisers and industrial assistance to raise them up.
C. All people have the right to their own lives, to their own choices of religion and societal structure. We should help only when the people ask for our help.

Now you see, that wasn't too difficult or painful. As I said, it was very simple. So, what do you think? Do you think that you possibly have a little Hippie in you? That obviously depends upon your answers. Here is the "Hippie Index". There were 10 simple questions, designed with absolutely no scientific process, and with no real purpose, except to look at yourself.

If you answered "C" to questions, you have answered like a Hippie. Answering "C" in:

0 answers means you are not a Hippie and you never will be.

1 to 3 times means you have a bit of Hippie in you, and you understand partially what Hippies really are.

4 to 6 times that you have some real Hippie tendencies, and you should try to learn a little more about yourself.

7 to 9 times means you have inherited the "Hippie Gene". You understand that people are really the same the world around and that truth lies in understanding, not in believing what others tell you.

10 ~ If you answered "C" to all 10 questions, welcome to the world of love, peace and the pursuit of understanding. I suggest that you quickly get online and buy some tie-dye kits, a few peace signs and go on Auto Trader to search for a good used VW van and some really bright and colorful paint to decorate it with.

So, what was all of this foolishness about. It is about you, all of you. It is about us, everyone in the world. If you were really honest with yourself about what you feel, you will see that you sometimes do not act with the convictions of your heart, but with the conventions of your peers. Now it is up to you. You have to make a decision for yourself to do what you feel is the right thing, or to do only as you are expected and told to do. World change comes from changing attitudes, and it is a slow process. And as with everything, that change begins with you.

But remember this, Hippies are NON-VIOLENT! We engaged in social protests and civil disobedience, but we were never violent. Violence is a way to force change, and forced change is never good, and never lasting. Real peace and real love come from within. Change the world by changing hearts and minds, and your changes will be real and lasting. Change attitudes, and watch good in this world flourish as evil withers. But, what do I know? I am only one man, and an Old Hippie. The time of my generation is coming to an end, and your time is here. What are you going to do with it? Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

Guns ~ An American Right or Wrong!

2011-05-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a controversial subject if ever there was one. The second amendment to the constitution gives us the "Right to keep and bear arms", and I am a very strong supporter of this right. But the truth is that it was written 235 years ago, and a lot has changed in that time. The world has changed, and more to the point, "Arms" have changed. Our forebears had no idea that weapons would change as they have. If they had gazed into their crystal ball, maybe they would have been a little more specific. When this was adopted, guns were guns. There was no real difference between military guns and civilian guns. And the fact was that at that time, people needed guns to survive. A large part of the average American diet came from hunting for game. People living in the major cities didn't need to hunt deer, but those in rural areas depended on wild game. There was real justification for people to have the right to have guns. And in times of conflict, they took the same gun they used for hunting deer to war with them. But we all know that things change as time marches forward.

You can make a very good argument that the advances in military technology have exceeded all other technological advancement. I'm not stating this as absolute, but I do contend that advancements in military technology have been astronomical. Too great in my opinion, but that is a different subject. When the second amendment was written, guns were single shot, muzzle loaded weapons. Today, we have guns that are fully automatic, fire 600 rounds a second and are computer assisted and aimed! I think most of you will agree that the right of the people to have and bear this type of gun is not what the writers of the second amendment had in mind when they wrote it. And allowing average people to have such a gun is NOT in the best interest of the people. Are you following me so far?

There are very legitimate reasons for owning guns. People have hunted since the beginning of mankind. They hunt today and I am very opposed to taking that right away from Americans. People have used guns as a recreational activity since they were invented. Today thousands enjoy trap and skeet shooting. They enjoy target clay competition and sharpshooting competitions across America, and I am also opposed to taking this right away from Americans. But there are those in society today who want to take all guns away! Why? Well it is not to stop the average American from shooting a "Clay Pigeon"! It is because of crime, public safety! And as typical with people, they don't want to take the time or expend the effort to look for the best way to combat crime, they want a blanket solution.

But making guns illegal will NOT solve the problem of crime. Suppose you wanted to eliminate traffic fatalities. Using this approach, the obvious choice is to outlaw cars! I propose that we look at the root of the problem, and design solutions that work. First, we have to define the problem that we want to solve. And I see that problem as the ever hated idea of "Gun Control". But, but, but.... The problem is not so simple as you might first assume. If we are truly going to seek workable solutions to this, we must go to the root. And, the root is the second amendment to the Constitution. The problem is that it lacks definition.

So, I see the first step as giving the second amendment some definition. Define what "arms" people have the right to own. Some work has been done in this area, but more is needed. I don't want guns that are designed for hunting and sport to be made illegal. And I want to see the people have the right to protect their homes and families. But, at the same time, I don't want to see everyone have the right to have ALL ARMS! Not to sound too ridiculous, I don't want people to have a "Cruise Missile" simply because they have the money to buy one. For the sake of argument, let's assume that acceptable definition to the second amendment is adopted. Is that all there is to the problem? I don't think so. Simply making a thing illegal to own will not stop people from obtaining it.

Next we need to look at where these weapons come from, and how they get into the hands of people in America. This is what I see as the real problem. Arms manufactures and arms dealers. Arms manufactures only make products they can sell. Profit is the bottom line. When a gun maker sells guns to a sporting goods store, they are not selling automatic military weapons. They are selling sporting weapons. But the weapons that we want out of the public's hands are these military grade weapons! Where do they come from? The answer is from arms dealers. People who buy them outside of the US, and smuggle them into the country. America is the worlds LARGEST arms dealer. We sell to foreign countries, and our government GIVS arms to other governments and to factions it supports around the world. You and I both know that many of these governments and factions are as corrupt and crooked as a dog's hind leg. Weapons and arms come into a foreign country and are diverted immediately to someone who will sell them somewhere else, the money going into the pockets of some corrupt official. Some of these make their way back into the US illegally, and are sold on the streets. But America does not bear the sole responsibility for this.

Russia, Germany, Israel and China also sell arms. Hell, the whole world is either a seller of arms or a buyer of arms. Our country has to accept more responsibility for the arms that it distributes around the world. Crack down on the source! Here is something to think about. KEEP TRACK OF THE WEAPONS YOU SELL OR GIVE AWAY! This is what I am saying. If the police in L.A. arrest someone who has some automatic, military grade weapon in their possession, the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT should have the capability to take the serial number of that gun, trace it to a specific sale to a foreign nation, and go after those responsible for allowing it to go into the illegal arms market. Go after those corrupt people who sold these weapons to arms dealers. And suspend sales of weapons to them. Hold the responsible parties responsible.

But, that is too simple. The solutions always proposed are to make the innocent pay the price for the guilty. The governments job is to protect the RIGHTS of the citizens, not take them away because it is the simplest thing to do. Americans have the right to bear arms. Figure out how to protect that right. Doing the right thing is not synonymous with doing the easy thing, but doing the right thing is always best. Elected officials are supposed to do the best thing for us. Don't allow them to take the easy way out. But this is only how this Old Hippie sees this problem. Give me your comments. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

Learn to Read ~ Read to Learn

2011-05-25T07:08:00.000-07:00

Sounds so trite, but young people today aren't reading. And I have asked myself why so many times it has nearly driven me mad. Sure, there are options today that never existed when I was growing up. Today, kids have computers, electronic game devices, like "Game Boy" and "Play Station", DVD and MP3 players, and the dreaded cell phone with "Texting". Texting, there is another phenomena to write about one day. Will this lead to people not talking in future generations? Ah well, back to what I was talking about. But, are these new products of technology the reason people don't read? It sounds good, but I'm not convinced. It seems to me that this argument is really a "Cop Out", too simple, to pat. But there are some undeniable parallels that support this theory.

About 120 years ago, the automobile came into existence. At that time, people rode horses or used wagons and carriages to get around. The older generation of that time stuck to their horses, but the younger generation flocked to this new technology like ants to sugar. Within 30 years, horse ownership fell to almost nothing in populated areas. Then, about 65 years ago, the TV became the greatest new thing. Before that, people used to huddle around their radios and listen to their favorite programs at night. Now they were watching "Amos and Andy" on the TV. Music also went through technological changes, from vinyl records, to tape, then the CD and now, what is the newest thing, the "iPod"? As you see, a technology GURU I am not. I really miss not having a 12 year old around the house to keep me current on all of this new stuff. So, does this make the case for the drop off in reading today?

I have to admit that this is part of it. Today people have more choices, and easier ways of entertaining themselves than ever before. And, there is truth in the mantra, "Why read the book when you can watch the movie?", after all, human beings are really a lazy species. Look, maybe 1 in 100 people under the age of 30 has read "Cinderella", but every one of them has seen the movie. How many young people have read "Gulliver's Travels" or "Alice Through the Looking Glass"? How many have seen the movie? Yea, I know, a stupid question. Movies and TV have made it easy, but not necessarily better.

I can't speak for you, but when I read "Gulliver's Travels", I never pictured Gulliver as Jack Black! Not in a million years! Which is one of my points, reading provokes your imagination. When you read, each character is created in your mind, each scene is painted by your imagination. Yes, you read the book, but your mind creates a virtual movie, your own personal and private movie. When you see it on the big screen, you get someone else's vision, some one else's interpretation. And I see this as the real reason people need to learn how to read! Reading stimulates your imagination, exercises your mind, and that is just as important to good health as physical exercise! But, this is a result of not reading, not the reason people don't read.

I think that the primary reasons run deeper than all of this. I hate to sound like a broken record, I really do, but the reason people don't read today lies in education. Sorry, but I had to say it. Back in the "Stone Age", when I was in school, my teacher would read a book to us. One chapter every day. As I got a little older, the students would do the reading, taking turns. We read "The Hardy Boys", "Nancy Drew", some of the classics made for young people like "Alice in Wonderland". We looked forward to this time of day so much, that teachers would use this as a tool to make the class behave! If someone got out of line, the teacher would take away this reading period and force us to do something despicable, like take another math quiz. After school, the class would demonstrate their collective displeasure with the offending student, and this usually solved the situation in the future. My point is that reading was emphasized when I was in school, and I am not too sure that it is today, and I don't know why.

Today, books are beginning to go through a technological change. It seems that everything is, so I see no reason why books should be immune. Though they have been around for a few years, "Ebook Readers" are gaining in popularity. Truth be said, I like this! I plan on getting one and I'm looking at a few now trying to make a decision on which to buy. Not that this is important, but if you have suggestions, drop me a comment. I still like the feeling of being in a room filled with books on shelves, comfortable overstuffed chairs to sit in while you escape into the pages of a good book while enjoying a good brandy and a fine cigar, but who can afford such luxury in today's world? Certainly not an Old Hippie who lives a scant existence, on Social Security. But I don't need the room. I can create the room in my mind with my imagination. something I learned by reading.

Look, there are books for everybody. No matter what your passion or interest, there are books written for you. I don't think what you read is as important as the fact that you do read. The more you read, the more you will learn, it is that simple. Read for entertainment, read for information, read for passion, read for yourself. You will learn and you will be a better person. But this is only the opinion of an Old Hippie, just an archaic remnant of days gone by, what do I know? Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

Entertainment ~ Yesterday and Today

2011-05-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

As noted many times here, I am indeed an Old Hippie, the key for this post is "Old". I am also a disabled American Vet, and that, plus Social Security constitute my income. Modest to say the least, but I get through life OK. Better than a lot of people these days. Of course, it wouldn't hurt if this BLOG were able to produce a little extra income, but since I can't seem to be able to figure out how to implement AdSense ads into it, I see little hope for that to happen. But, I do enjoy writing this. And I really enjoy reading and admittedly, I watch FAR to much TV. For the past two years, I have been renting movies through NETFLIX. No, this is not a promo piece for NETFLIX as you will see. Living here in the Ozark mountains in a community of less than 10,000 has certain limitations, like the quality and variety of restaurants, having only two places to buy groceries and movie rentals.

There is one place here to rent movies, and I mean only one, but as you might imagine, it is limited. This being in the heart of the "Bible Belt", you won't find many of the "R" rated movies on the shelf, and never will you find an "X" rated movie, neither of which bother me to any degree. But, being a small town, the rental selection is limited to the current movies and the MOST popular of older movies. Enter NETFLIX. I am able to rent movies by mail that I otherwise have no access to. Through this outlet, I have been renting some of the older movies I enjoyed in my youth, and I have to admit, I really enjoy them.

Last night I watched "Paint Your Wagon". For those of you who are younger, it is a musical set in a gold mining camp during the California Gold Rush period. It is FUNNY and fast paced, and most of you under the age of 40 would probably enjoy seeing it. Come on, give it a try. But what caught my attention was the performance of the two stars, Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood. I had really forgotten how masterful these two men were, how truly talented they were and most surprising, how versatile they were.

When you think of Lee Marvin, you usually picture a "Silver Screen Tough Hero" type. War movies from WWII, Westerns and hard nosed crime drams. He was in so many of these that it is easy to forget that he was in this musical. Not only in it, he was spectacular! His character was usually drunk, despicable by nature and always so very funny. But he had a heart of gold. He sang, danced, and in the end, he literally destroyed the town of "No-Name", all in the quest for gold. And for you Clint Eastwood fans, watch this and see what a truly gifted actor this man is. Yes, Clint sings, dances and is great in every scene he is in. Imagine, "Dirty Harry" singing a love song! Both of these men exemplify what actors call Range, the ability to do a variety of different things, and do them well.

I'm not here to drum up customers for any particular movie rental business, but I am trying to tell you that if you enjoy movies, try looking for some of these older ones. Watching current movies is good, and I enjoy them, but sometimes I feel that there is a certain sameness to them. It is refreshing to go back and re-look at some of the really great movies from the past. And if my recommendation means anything, I suggest that you give "Paint Your Wagon" a look one night. You will be surprised. Have A Great Day.

The Old Hippie

Education Online ~ Good?

2011-05-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

I have written about education before, and if you have read my posts about it, you know that I think our system is in dire need of a complete overhaul. This has made me think about an emerging form of education, "Online Education". I can't really call it new, because it has been with us since the beginning of the Internet, but in the past few years it has begun to really take hold. Some nice people from "Nicepro.net" have been reading my Blog, and as a result, I have been reading theirs. They have a lot of good information about this subject, and I urge any of you who are interested to drop by their blog and give it a look. In general, I like the idea. Any means to obtain an education is worth investigating, and I am a strong advocate of implementing technology for the purpose of education.

The most obvious advantage it that it can be done from home. When you live in rural America, that is a very big plus! Since I am not knowledgeable about this subject, there are things I really don't know, but maybe some of you can comment and give me more information. As with all things, there is always the other side of the coin, and there are some things that I am a bit leery about. The most questionable aspect of online education for me is the quality of education. This concerns me for the following reasons.

Looking at a quickly generated list of some online schools, I really didn't recognize most of them. I think it fair to say that if you attend a major State or private college or university, the vast majority of the teachers you will get are very good and well respected in their field. I am not so sure that this is the case in online schools. Accreditation is another area that I question. If you begin your higher education at, say Penn State, and you decide Winter is not such a good thing, you can transfer to UCLA or Florida State, and your class credits are generally accepted by the new school. Is the same true if you begin your education at an online college, and decide to complete your education at a traditional school? My guess is that this is not always true. In fact, from information I have received from a few friends, I know that this is not always true. But, it is something for you to research if you are considering online education. Just think before you jump, as my Grandmother would tell me. Lastly, there is the Internet itself.

I happen to live in an area where my choices for Internet service are dial-up, or satellite. I can't imagine trying to use dial-up for online education, but satellite is not all it is cracked up to be. Unlike conventional DSL Internet service, I have to pay for the volume I use each month. And the cost is 3 times that of a land line. Added to this is the effect of weather. I live in an area where there are frequent thunder storms. Storm starts, Internet stops. Sometimes I lose the Internet for an hour, other times I lose it for a couple of days. Unfortunately, when this happens, I usually lose my TV, because it is also satellite service, and too often my electricity. Nothing left to do but to light the oil lamps, grab a beer while it is still cold, and read a good book. For an Old Hippie, this is not so bad, but for a student trying to get a paper completed and submitted on time, I see this as a bit of an inconvenience to say the least.

But, what I have said to this point are things that you can deal with if you take the time to research. Online education is here! It is very real, and it is a viable alternative to traditional schools. And it will only improve with time. Already, there are traditional schools that offer some courses online. And the possibilities are nothing less than amazing. Say your major is Asian Studies. You could take a course from a university in Beijing from a renowned professor and never have to leave your desk. You could study Japanese in the privacy of your home. You could take classes in Chinese history from a Chinese university, and social customs and politics from a Japanese university. The immediate future of online education will be one of rapid development, and the integration of traditional and online schools will provide vastly greater choices and opportunities for students.

But, today, right now, there are many great opportunities for students who want to get their education online. There are some fields that do not lend themselves to the current online technology. I wouldn't want to have a surgeon remove my appendix who has never done the operation on a real person. He may have done it a hundred times on a simulator, but, no, I don't think so. On the other hand, I would hire an accountant who had an online degree. I'd take my children to a school where the teacher had an online degree, and I'd go to a tax specialist who had an online degree. Hundreds of degrees are perfect for online education using current technology. History, the arts, languages, social sciences, education and literature are but a few, and all perfect for online education, right now!

I have told you many times that I am an Old Hippie. I don't think that anything can take the place of a classroom experience, because it is an interactive environment, and in an interactive environment, people talk, ideas are expressed and exchanged, both inside of the classroom and within the social structure of a college environment, and that enhances the learning experience. But the fact is that not everybody has the ability to go to traditional schools. This is truly a tool that gives you a viable alternative. It gives you the opportunity to expand your education, get a degree and become a professional in a field you have a passion for. It has it's limitations, and it is not perfect, but little in life is perfect. And for those of you who have a degree, this is a tailor made way to add to your education, be it an advanced degree or continuing education within your field.

In short, I advise you to look seriously at online education. Research the choices you have identified thoroughly. Make sure that you know as much as possible, but I would give the same advise to you if you were considering a traditional school. There is no substitute for education. The more you learn, the better your life will be. But, you don't have to take my word about this. Just look at the people around you who don't have an education, people who have jobs they hate, but can't afford to quit. Look at the people you know. You will see that those with an education are the ones headed toward the future, and those without are simply by the side of the roar watching the world go by.

But I am nothing more than an Old Hippie, and this is simply my opinion. What do I know? The world out there is waiting for you, the young people, not for relics from the past like myself. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

You Hate ~ But You Take ~ Racism and Bigotry

2011-05-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

Someone once said that "Justice Is Blind". Heard that more than once, right? But, how about racism and bigotry? Can these things also be blind? Before you answer, think about this situation. There is a traffic accident late at night. The driver and his wife are taken to the hospital, where sadly they soon die. This is a tragedy that is all too familiar the world wide. If you read much from me, you know that I do not like conflict. I don't like human suffering in any way, and I especially don't like HATE. I know that militarises are a necessary evil in this world. I know that people have different opinions and goals, but I don't understand how and why these things can develop into hate. But that is material for a different BLOG. So, back to this subject. As for normal procedure, these two people are identified using their driver's licenses. And what is quickly discovered? They are both "Organ Donors"!

Another medical team is quickly assembled and the two unfortunate people are taken to a surgical area where the harvest of specific human organs is conducted. Not having any medical training, I really don't know what happens under these circumstances, but I do know that harvesting human organs is a common practice in today's world. I'll leave all of the technical aspects to you, and if you want to comment, great. But the harvested organs are soon available to be used in organ transplant procedures. Procedures that can extend or impact some other persons life. What a marvelous example of technology, organization and skill this entire process is. But, again, I digress from my intended subject, sorry.

Somewhere else, a little girl is in another hospital. She is gravely ill, not expected to live more than a few more days, because her kidneys have failed. She is only 12 years old. Constantly at her side are her Mother and Father. Hope is quickly running out, the hour glass of time nearly empty. But, it is their little girl, and they will not abandon their vigil. They share so many unspoken thoughts, thoughts of dreams that will never come true, graduations that will never happen, a marriage that can't be possible, of the grandchildren that will never be born. They don't speak because they don't need to speak, each knows what the other is thinking. Words are not necessary, and they both harbor the same thought that if they don't say these things, then maybe they won;t come to pass. As they look up, a doctor enters and summons them into the hall.

In that hall way, the doctor tells them that a Donner has been found. A new kidney is now on route, one that can possibly save their daughter. There is silence. Both parents look at each other with looks of confusion and disbelief. The moments pass very slowly as the realization begins to take hold deep within them. Hope begins to renew, and they ask feebly, "What now?", and the doctor rushes them to a small office where they are given some information, that they can not possibly absorb or understand under the circumstances. The usual disclaimers are expressed, they are given the odds of success, told about the things that can go wrong and then asked to sign a bunch of forms and medical releases. Of course, they have hardly heard a word, their minds have all but shut down. They can only think of one thing, there is a chance their daughter will live. So, like all of us who are parents would do, they sign the forms and releases. And a flurry of activity is thrown into action.

A medical team begins to be assembled for the surgery. Another is sent to the little girls room to rapidly move her to the surgical area. There is another team tasked with preparing her for the surgery. Again, I don't know everything that is now happening, but I do know that things are now in motion in many areas. In my mind, it is like a dance number in a New York musical. People entering stage left, leaving stage right, each doing their part in a choreographed sequence of events, all well rehearsed, all with parts to play that combine to make something special happen flawlessly. And soon, the pieces all come together, the young girl is brought into the surgery, the organ to be transplanted arrives, and the surgical team goes to work. Now, the parents are in the waiting room. But they are still so very silent.

Thoughts of everything they would never experience with their daughter are gone now. Thoughts of the future have taken their place. Thoughts of seeing her back in her hospital room, with all of the ugly life support devices gone. Thoughts of bringing her back to her home. Thoughts of her as their little girl, alive and smiling, laughing and playing with her friends. I hope that you will never have to experience the passage of time in a hospital waiting room. I have, and I assure you that it moves so very slowly, painfully slow. Your mind is moving at the speed of light, thoughts barely realized before they are replaced by other thoughts, but the second hand on the clock seems to be moving not at all. But, it is their little girl, their princess in that operating room. They wait. They endure. They suffer.

In time, the transplant is completed. The little girl is moved to a post-op area, and the surgeon comes to talk with the parents. He tells them what was done, he tells them that their little girl is now in recovery, he tells them what to expect over the next 12 hours. He suggests that they go home and get much needed rest, but they are parents, and they will have none of that. So, once again, they wait. They think. They dream of better times. They refuse to allow themselves to think dark thoughts. Time passes, and the parents are told that their little girl is being moved from recovery to intensive care. Soon, she is moved again, to a regular hospital room, and in a few days, the parents are told that they can take their little girl home.

The little girls recovery goes as though scripted. She has regular doctor visits to monitor her recovery, but all is going well. Her life returns to normal, she attends school the following semester, and life in the household returns to normal for all. Thanks to the couple who donated their organs, this scenario is repeated in other hospitals across the land. More people have had their lives reborn through the gift of organ transplant. I am not a religious man, but I have to admit that I see this as very nearly a miracle. Life being given through a gift given in death.

This is a remarkable story, repeated in real life everyday. But, here is the twist. Here is what I didn't tell you. The couple that unfortunately died were Black Muslims. The little girl who received the gift of life from them was the daughter of leaders in one of the White Supremacist movements. So, this begs the question, would the unfortunate accident victims have donated their organs had they know they would be used to save someone they truly hated? And, would the parents of the young girl been so quick to accept the organ had they known that it came from a hated enemy? I really don't know. But I see an area where, in this case, race was blind. Life was more important than hate.

So, I submit to you, that people are just people. Learn to live with one another. You don't have to like everyone you meet, and you don't have to love everyone. But you don't have to hate them either, hate them because of their race or religion. Hate is a choice! A conscious choice that you make. Don't go down that path. Tolerance, understanding and acceptance of others is also a conscious choice, and the world would be a much better place if more would choose these over hate. But this is only the opinion of an Old Hippie. Send me your comments. Have A Great Day...

The Old Hippie

Middle East ~ War Is Wrong

2011-05-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

Last night I watched a movie, documentary, called "Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?". Yes, I know that he is now dead, but this movie was much more than someone looking for him. Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock followed the "reported" trail of where Osama had been reported to be since 9/11, not talking to the political talking heads, but to people on the streets. Everyday people. Well, now that he is dead, what is the point? The point is that everyday people throughout the Muslim world have a VERY different opinion of the American people and the American Government than is reported in the media here. I'm not going to go through a blow by blow review of this movie, but I am going to tell you what I came away with.

First, by a wide margin, people in the Muslim world like the American people, but they hate the American Government. This seems to be a tad contradictory, but if you think about it, you can see how this opinion came to be. They hate the American Government for it's foreign policy. They see the US as forcing world dominance, and interfering where they do not belong. They see the US sending billions of dollars and tons of weapons to bolster governments throughout the Middle East that are both corrupt and oppressive to their own people. This is something that is really difficult to argue against.

After all, at one point, we spent billions in support if the Shaw of Iran, and he was proved to be a criminal. Then we sent billions to support Saddam when he went to war against his successor. And we all know that we then went to war against Saddam TWO times to get him out. How much did that cost? We spend billions to support Saudi Arabia and the royal family there, but everyone knows that it is one of the most oppressive governments in the world, and that there are both political and financial ties to Al Qaeda. We spent billions to support Mubarak in Egypt, and he has been proven to be a crook and oppressor. We spend billions supporting Israel. We spend billions supporting Yemen. So, I think that the feeling in the Muslim world is entirely justified. But, how can they like the American people if they hate the government?

Because they come in contact with them everyday. When America gets involved in a place, we send much more than soldiers there. Thousands of aid workers go there, many of them Americans, thousands of contractors go there, again, the majority of them are Americans. Large corporations descend upon the area because they know that there is money there that will be spent, because money is pouring in from America. So, there are thousands of businessmen there, trying to get a piece of the pie. Scholars have been going to the region for a hundred years. Religious scholars, archaeologists and anthropologists have always sought ways to go there. And tourists! Tens of thousands of tourists go there every year. And each and every one of these people meet local residents.

They meet the people in the hotels and restaurants, they meet the cab and bus drivers, they meet the local trades people, and so it goes. The residents from all walks of life and from all economic groups are exposed to Americans everyday, and they like them! I am one of the few who has had the opportunity to travel all over the world, and seeing this movie solidified my personal opinions. People are just people, the world around. They want to provide for their families, have a few basic freedoms, like the right to practice the religion of their choice and to have free speech. They want to have jobs and they want to live without others telling them how they have to do it.

What side of the foreign policy debate you are on doesn't really matter. This movie is one worth watching for everyone. After all, there is no debate if only one side is presented. Look at this and learn a little about the people who are affected, their side, and integrate those insights into your knowledge of the political side. I got this through NETFLIX, but I am sure that there are many other places where it is available. Try BLOCKBUSTER, the public library or someplace like Barnes and Nobel. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

DON'T TOUCH SOCIAL SECURITY ~ Government Efficiency SUCKS!

2011-05-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

Our government spends too much! The National Budget is a JOKE! We spend more and get less! Anyone reading this disagree so far? I mean to say anyone who IS NOT IN GOVERNMENT! All people, everywhere in the world, live the same in this respect. You earn money, then you spend the money you earned. YOU are smart enough to know that if you earn $25k a year, and you need a car, you don't go shopping for a BMW or Lexus. If you need a place to live, you don't go looking at million dollar houses. And, if you are one of the people who don't know this, there are people who will not allow you to buy that $60k BMW. These are the credit managers, loan companies and banks. But, the government doesn't work that way. They simply take a vote to spend money on something, and just like they had Harry Potter's wand, the money is spent! Even when there is NO money available. Someone once said that truth is stranger than fiction, and I give you this as proof of that.

Now our glorious officials are talking loudly about what they term "Entitlement Programs", Social Security, and Medicare! They want to TAKE from these programs to make up for THEIR overspending in other areas! Look, we are Americans, and WE are more entitled to the benefits of tax dollars than foreign governments, foreign militaries and breaks for the wealthiest 1% here. Seriously, you want to take your mistakes, your over spending, and put the efforts to correct your mismanagement on those who can LEAST afford this! You ought to be tared and feathered, placed in stocks on the public square or sent to a prison for the criminally inept and corrupt! A very special prison without CNN and MSNBC, where you would be subject to classes in basic human rights, ethics, loyalty and, most important, classes in EFFICIENCY!

YES, EFFICIENCY you morons! Is there anyone who doesn't believe that the LESAT efficient organizations on Earth are government organizations? Webster's should list inefficiency as the leading synonym for government in the dictionary. This has been a FACT since Christ was a corporal, and everyone knows it you crooked imbeciles! The government could cut at least 20% ( I think I am being very generous with that number.) of their employees today, and do everything they are doing without missing a heartbeat, if they were efficiently! You know this, and I know this, so just do it before you take my Social Security away! Look at our government, and RID IT OF REDUNDANCIES! Get rid of DEADWOOD employees who are not doing their job, like any well organized business would do. Blow the whole thing up and start with a modern model, because the eighteenth century model you are using does not work in today's world.

You want to raise the retirement age for Americans, yet you allow government employees to retire after 20 years? With full pay after 30? Where is the equality in that? And I am talking about every level of government, city, county state and federal, you are all doing the same stupid things! Tell me this, if GM can have a 60 year old working in an office, doing their job everyday, and doing it well, why can't the local police have a 60 year old working in the office? The government will prosecute a company for age discrimination, yet they have it built into their organizational structure. Government is pathetic!

One of the problems is that most of the elected officials have either law degrees of political science degrees. They have NO knowledge of how to organize and manage. They have no education where this has been emphasized, and no real like working knowledge of doing it. I want ALL of you lawyers and political science majors OUT OF GOVERNMENT! Give me some successful business people, give me some people who spent their lives having to be efficient to become and stay successful. GIVE ME SOME PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT! Give me some people who will make America work for Americans first and foremost. You think that this is harsh, overboard, impossible? I think that it is mandatory, if this country is to survive.

Look back at your history. Some time ago, a country imposed unjust taxes on it's citizens, limited their civil rights, placed undue burdens upon them. This was the Genesis of the American Revolution, and resulted in America becoming an independent nation. Compare the plight of the people then with the problems of today. Are you going to tell me that it can't happen again today? You are wrong. These are simply the ramblings of an Old Hippie, and you are entitled to your opinions. Comment on this, and tell me your opinion. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

Health Care ~ Your Priority?

2011-05-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

Health care is a priority for every person on Earth! Everyone wants access to good health care, but the question for us as Americans is where on our list of priorities will we place health care. As Americans, we are concerned about many things, a solid and stable economy, one with ample job opportunities, national defense, education, the environment, social equality, and of course, will there be a football season this year? Football aside for the moment, you have to admit, we have a lot to think about and make decisions about. The health care issue becomes amplified when you consider the simple truth that we are all different. I think that at this point I need to make a couple of assumptions. First, if you take two people, say Bill Gates who has more money than God, and a single mother working two jobs to try and keep a roof over her children's heads and food on their table, and ask them how much importance they would place on health care, you would get two different answers. I think that this assumption is a given. Bill Gates can not only afford any doctor, he can buy the hospital if he chooses, and the single mother has to go to the local free clinic. So, anyone who believes that you can find consensus on this issue, send me lots of money for my Presidential Campaign, see previous posts for instructions.

The second assumption I want to make is that any system we choose to implement has to be a good one, one that provides very good care and treatment, prescription medicine and quality rehabilitation services. I mean, seriously, if the intent is to provide second class health care, there is no point in providing any health care at all. So, allowed those two assumptions, let me continue. Here is a fact for you, America is the only major industrialized nation without a national health care program. I find this sad, because it tells me that America cares less about her citizens than other nations care about their citizens. And here is another fact for you, YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING! America only generates so much money for the government to spend, though the current crop of officials don't seem to recognize this fact and overspend constantly. Still, decisions must be made everyday on government spending, and this brings me back to prioritizations.

Our government gives "Military Aid" to numerous nations. So, which is more important to you, more military aid for Israel, or better health care for you and your family? America gives "Foreign Aid" to countries whose leaders misuse it for their own benefits. What would you do with that money, give it to dictators or use it for health care? America gives wealthy farmers billions of dollars every year. Is that OK with you, or do you want better health care? Do you see a trend here? Exactly where is the priority of health care? What is more important? The answer is I don't know, because the government never gives people that kind on information.

As far as I can tell, government spending is like someone shopping for groceries on an empty stomach! Every isle they go down has something they just have to have, so, in the cart it goes. Once they get home, and look at the check book, they realize that there isn't enough to pay the mortgage this month. OH WELL! Look, we are simply people, people with needs like any other people. And we look to the government to take care of some of those needs. I think that all people should be given good health care, and I think that it should be very high on the list of priorities for our leaders. If you agree, get up off your couch potato butt, and do something about it! Force your elected officials to do what you want. They are accountable to you, not the lobbyists for the big insurance companies and the doctors! Not to the big business that they serve as if they were Gods! This is your country! It does not belong to the top 1%! Take it back. Maybe you agree with me, and if you do, get involved. If you don't agree, give me your comments, and I'll write about your side. Have A Great Day.

The Old Hippie

Immigration ~ A Joke

2011-05-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

As of late, there has been a lot of political speech making and hoop-la swirling around immigration in this country. And, too many people want you to think that they are experts on this subject. I guarantee you that I am NOT an expert, but I have gone through the process two times, to bring my wife and teenage step-daughter here from China, and I'm going through it again helping my brother-in-law's wife come here from China. The process is both brutal and very expensive. But, I'll get to the process a little later in this piece. First, I want to talk about immigration itself.

Many Americans are opposed to any and all immigration. They just want to close the borders and keep everyone out. Those of you who are among this group are ignorant, paranoid and just plain stupid! This country was built on immigration. We are what we are today because of our ethnic and religious diversity. New people bring with them new ideas, they bring strong family values, they bring determined work ethics and they bring the will to succeed. They bring with them a belief that they need to be in America, and Americans need people like this. They have great respect for education, and make it one of their highest priorities to insure that their children have very good educations. They start businesses that employ other Americans, and that breeds prosperity. And think about this you boneheads, had not one or more of your relatives immigrated to this country in the past, where would YOU be today, if you were even to exist at all?

About the immigration process, believe me when I say that it is nothing like you think! Many people think that it is a relatively quick and painless process. WRONG! First, you have to apply for the immigration of a specific person, for a specific reason. There are different types of immigration, it is not a one size fits all process. There are work visas, education visas, asylum visas and visas for relatives. Believe me, there are more types. The spousal visa is the one that I have some familiarity with because I brought my wife and daughter here on this type of visa. And the first thing you have to do is get online and get the government forms for your petition to bring someone into this country.

Getting the forms is but half of the battle, you have to get the instructions required to complete the forms and file the petition. CHA -CHING$$$. This will cost you money, sorry. It was at this point that I made my first major decision. I looked at the forms, began to fill them out, and immediately got bogged down in the instructions, which were to say the least, inconsistent and needlessly complicated, filled with conflicting statements and impossible for an Old Hippie to understand. My decision was to hire an immigration attorney to do this for me. And, that was the right decision! Within a couple of weeks, he had gathered all of the required information from me, and via email, from my wife and daughter, and the petition was ready to be filed. CHA-CHING$$$, another government fee, an expensive fee. So, I went to the post office, bought the required postal money orders, and sent everything to the government. And, by everything, I mean everything! I sent not only the petition, but three years of tax returns, copies of my birth certificate, my wife's and my daughter's birth certificates, my previous wife's death certificate, the divorce papers from my first marriage, the divorce papers from my new wife's first marriage, copies of all of our passports, and certified copies of the Chinese police reports of my wife and daughter. This package was getting pretty big by this point, but I was on my way!

First, the package was sent to Homeland Security. They had to do an investigation on me to make sure that I was who I claimed to be, and that I was not an instrument of evil lurking in the shadows trying to get undesirables into America. I was run through the FBI, CIA, NSA, State and local police databases to look into any criminal record I might have. I was run through the IRS to make sure that I wasn't a tax dodger. My employment history was investigated, my address verified and my military record scrutinized. This part of the process took about five months. But, it was completed, and authorization was given to proceed, so off to the next stop.

Next, the package went to the National Visa Center (NVC). And maybe you guessed it, CHA-CHING$$$, another fee was required. So off to the post office again for more postal money orders. This is where everything began to get screwed up. After NVC had had the package for about four months, the requested that I send them certain documents. Actually, they wanted copies of everything I had already sent to the government. I was nothing less than perplexed. I had sent everything already, where could it have gone? Thankfully, my attorney was prepared for this, and he sent copies of everything to them again. Lesson to any of you that do this, keep lots of copies of EVERYTHING! But after the new copies were received and added to the package, everything waited. Another four months passed until it was once again my turn for processing. Everything simply sat there in cue, waiting my turn. But, after eight months at NVC, the process began to once again move forward. I waited another four months, and then came a letter telling me that it was completed and that it would be forwarded to the State Department, specifically, the American Consulate in Guangzhou, China, and once again, CHA-CHING$$$, more fees and more postal money orders.

Now we were at the last hurdle. I got notification from the American Consulate that they had reviewed the package and would process it in order of receipt. Simply stated, they said we will call you, don't call us! Well, again we waited, another five months! Then we received a letter from the Consulate giving my wife and daughter an appointment for their medical exam and interview at the Consulate offices in Guangzhou. The final leg of the process was in sight. And, along with this letter, was included a list of things she would have to have with her when she appeared. She had to provide proof that we were really a married couple, not married for the purpose of getting her into the US. So, I gathered everything I could to prove we had a husband and wife relationship. I had copies of my flights to China, hotel receipts, ticket stubs to various tourist attractions we visited while I was there, phone records for the past two years, pictures and emails. And, they requested copies of many of the same documents that I had not only sent to them, but sent to them TWICE! But again, thanks to my attorney, all of the required copies were instantly available for me. He knew what to expect, and he was ready in advance. It was a lot of stuff! To keep the package I had to sent to China a reasonable size, I only included 100 emails and 100 pictures. Surely this would show that we were a real couple. How foolish I was!

Everything was going great, however, the interviewer was not satisfied that we had a real marriage, and demanded more proof of a relationship. So I gathered ALL of the emails sent between us, about 1500, and ALL of the pictures of us together, about 700, copies of greeting cards we had sent and pictures of gifts we had exchanged. I sent this to my wife in China, and it was a real whopper of a package! After another one month wait, she was approved and told to come back to Guangzhou and get her visa and entry papers. In all, the process took 28 months, and cost me in excess of $8,000.00. But, it was worth it to me.

As I said in the beginning, I am involved in this process again, helping my brother-in-law bring his wife here from China, and I can tell you that the system has not improved. We need to improve the system and streamline it, not do away with it. We need to make immigration easier, not forbid it. You that complain about immigrants, about them taking the GOOD jobs need to find yourselves a good mirror. If you want the job they have, get better educated, get better qualified, and make yourself more attractive to prospective employers. But, I'm just an Old Hippie. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

Freedom of Speach vs. Freedom of Thought

2011-05-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

Don't we have BOTH Freedom of Speech AND Freedom of Thought here in America today? Well.... Yes, to a degree, but this is more about the HOW TO, the when to exercise these freedoms. And, the one freedom that we DO NOT have, but one that we all need to consider! I have thought about this many times in recent years, and every time, I come away with a sadness, shaking my head, and wondering how we have come to this place. Let me give you some examples of what disturbs me. A van is driving back to a half-way house with clients going back after work. Two young men see a rather attractive young lady on the street, and they begin to say some things between themselves about how great it would be to have sex with her. The driver, hearing this, injects himself into this conversation pointing out that both of the young men are married, and that their conversation about having sex with the woman is equivalent to cheating on their wives. He continues to chastise them, ending with the proclamation that they aren't acting in a Christian way. So what?

The two young men are within their legal right to have the conversation, and the driver was within his right to say what he did. That is the law. But I think that all three parties were WRONG! Here is why. First, the other ten people on the van probably didn't want to hear any of it. But they were subjected to it. The conversation between the two young men was more appropriate for some place private. Second, the driver was trying to inflict his moral standards on the two young men, obviously believing he had the higher moral standards. And finally, religion was brought into the conversation. Maybe one or even both of the two young men were not Christian. That is their right. Yes, this is a "SO WHAT" type of example, but, it is something that is repeated thousands of times every day.

At some point in the past thirty years or so, the first amendment right to free speech has taken precedence over common sense attitudes that have been with us for centuries. "Live and let live" no longer applies here. The idea that people have the right to go about their daily lives without being bothered as long as they don't bother others is as passe as saying good morning to someone you pass on the street. How you make your living, what you do for a hobby, what types of books you read, what foods you like and what music you listen to should be of NO concern to anybody else in this world, as long as you aren't harming them. Likewise, your choice of religion, your choice in politics and your choice of friends and associates are personal, and other people should not involve themselves. But, they do, and they do it more each and every day!

That same first amendment to our constitution gives people the freedom of the press. Which means so much more that just the newspaper, it extends to books, television and radio, and now includes the Internet, thus allowing a hack like myself to write a BLOG like this. This is an immense freedom not enjoyed in many parts of the world. And, it is much more than the right of the press to write about what is happening and to comment on it as they see things. It is most importantly, a personal right allowing YOU to read and listen to what you want. It guarantees you the right to read differing points of view and to make your own decisions about what you want to believe, and what you want to discount. And it doesn't end there.

Also in the first amendment is the right to freedom of religion. Yes, every American has the RIGHT to choose their own religion. And because you choose one different from another, you do NOT have the right to force them to change. Think about this, three of the world's major religions have the "Old Testament" as part of their religious writings, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. And in that book, God states that he has given Man free will. "FREE WILL"! So, not only does the Constitution of the United States guarantee the freedom of religion, your own religious writings guarantee this. So, try to live and let live.

At the beginning of this piece, I mentioned a freedom that we are not guaranteed, but one that I think should be considered. I am not a writer, not a word-smith. I am a simple Old Hippie trying to get along in this world, and I don't know of an eloquent way to state this. Shouldn't we have the right to NOT TO HAVE TO HEAR EVERY ONE'S OPINION ON EVERYTHING! I think so, but I have no idea how you could make this into law, least of all enforce it.

Recently I was at a major retail store, and at the doors were dozens of people from "John 3:16", a Christian religious group, soliciting money and trying to convert everyone they saw. They saw this as doing God's work, but I saw this as harassment. I found them to be insulting and rude, because I didn't agree with them. I was called names, threatened with "Hell" and subjected to ridicule in front of literally hundreds of other customers entering and leaving the store. All of this because I spoke four words, "Sorry, I'm not Christian". My response to this humiliation was simply to walk back to my car and go to the only other grocery store in town. I can only imagine what would have happened had I chose to stand there and argue religion with them, as was my right under the law. I see nothing but ugliness had that been my choice. Very sad. This is only an example of what I am trying to say. I don't want to even think how things might have been had it been an Islamic group doing this, or an Atheist group. I fear that it would have resulted in chaos and riot.

The problem is not with Christians, but with all of the major religions. Islam demands Islamic states, the Jewish demand a Jewish state. And it does not begin and end with religion. Gays and lesbians want everyone to accept them, different races want to have things their way, political groups demand that you vote with them, environmentalists want the world to be as they think it should be, and industrialists want to have things their way. All of them use the right to freedom of speech to assault all of us every day. It is really getting old folks. I am really getting tired of everyone telling me what I should believe, how I should think, who I should associate with and how I need to be as a person to meet their standards. Give it a break!

Live and let live. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Tolerance, acceptance, forgiveness and love have been abandoned in this country. Isn't it time for people to be allowed to live their own lives? Isn't it time for people to come to the realization that we are all individuals? As I said, I have thought about this many times, and I have not found many answers, but I have found one. One answer. I believe that I understand why someone would choose the life of a hermit. Maybe Helen Keller was luckier than I thought?

Have A Great Day,
The Old Hippie

Love On-Line ~ Good or Bad?

2011-05-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

On-line dating and marriage. An "Earth Shattering" and important social issue? I think not, however, on-line anything is becoming more important to people every day. It is more important to people like myself who happen to live in rural America. Smaller towns do not offer people things like big cities can. Simple things like video rentals, I use NETFLIX, because there is only one video rental store where I live, and their selection is not the best. There are only two grocery stores here, so I use on-line sources to buy various ingredients, like spices, dried mushrooms, dried fruits and specialty items that Wal-Mart will NEVER offer. I purchase flowers, candies and tools on-line. Now I am seriously considering buying an E-Book Reader so I can purchase books on-line ( I've narrowed it down to the Kindle and the Nook, what do you think?). Now, if I could only find a good on-line outlet for lunch or dinner, I'd be one very happy Old Hippie!

But, back to on-line dating and marriage. I've been married before, twice actually. The first ended in a really ugly divorce, the second ended with the death of my wife after a long and protracted bout with cancer. I waited eleven years before I decided that I wanted to have a woman in my life again. Eleven years! Once I decided that I wanted to find someone to spend the rest of my life with, I found myself stopped dead in my tracks. How does someone my age go about finding the right woman? I began going to a few parties, but I have never been much of a party person, I tried going to a few bars, but that was not for me. I am not religious, so meeting Mrs. Right at a church social seemed a far fetched idea. But, by coincidence, I purchased my computer at about this time in my life, so I thought, "What the Hell", and I began to look on-line. After all, the things that I was trying certainly were proving to be of absolutely no value.

When I began to look into this, I was AMAZED at the number of dating sites on-line! There are dating sites for every ethnic group, straight and gay sites, religion oriented sites, sites for seniors (Which I qualified for, but didn't feel I wanted to restrict myself to.), So, I joined two different sites, both rather generic. I soon dropped one because it was obviously being used by schemers, but the other site held some promise for me. But, I was getting responses from TOO MANY women that simply didn't float my boat. The site was Friend Finders, and I noticed that they had a lot of affiliate sites, so I switched my profile to their Asian Friend Finders site. To be totally honest, I was a bit disillusioned with the responses I had been getting, but as soon as I changed, my inbox was jammed with responses. I was amazed!

At this time, I was 58 years old, but I was getting responses from women in their 20's and 30's! This was really flattering for my ego, but I discounted the younger women. I do believe that age is only a number, however, I really wanted someone more of a woman and less of a girl. No offense, but I felt more comfortable with someone a little closer to my age. The responses were from the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and China. But, there was one from a woman living in China that seemed to stand out, it seemed to be special. And I wrote her back, thinking that I may get a response back in a few days, but to my surprise, I received a response the next day. Not a little one or two paragraph response, but a lengthy letter. She was open and forthright. She told me about herself and what her expectations were. I wrote back to her immediately. After a week of daily messages, I canceled my membership in the on-line service, and communicated directly with her using email. We continued to write to each other for nearly a year, EVERY DAY! I knew I was in love.

We decided that I would come to China to meet her, and we decided that if that visit was good, we would make plans to get married. I got my passport in order, got my Chinese Visa, and booked a flight to Zhengzhou, Henan, China, where she met me at the airport. Not just her, her sister, cousins, daughters, Mother and a crew of friends. Overwhelmed is hardly the word to describe how I felt, but I can't think of another word. From the airport, the entire entourage went to a restaurant, and it was a feast! Next to the hotel she had booked for me, a really upscale hotel where I had a suite, and it was filled wall to wall with relatives of hers and friends, all of whom wanted to meet me. I was being treated like a King! The plan had been that I would return to the US, and we would begin to plan our wedding if everything went good. Didn't work quite that way. We were married three days later. I stayed in China for 15 days, and we had a wonderful time, visiting so many places, eating everything from street vendor food to good restaurant dinners. This was the smartest and best thing I ever did.

It took me 27 months to get her to the US, which was and is an absurd amount of time, but that is for another post. As you can guess from this little story, I am a proponent of on-line dating and marriage. But, I have to be honest and tell you that though there are many success stories, there are also horror stories. But, is that any different than meeting someone here, then finding later that they had their own agenda? Finding a life partner is little different than finding a good video in this respect. For most of us, the availability for both is limited to the area where we live. The Internet is a border-less environment. You have the ability to meet people from anywhere, everywhere. But, you need to take the same precautions with on-line relationships as you do with the people you actually meet. Think of it this way, you are searching for someone to fill an empty place in your heart, but, you need to use your head to insure that who you fill the space with is a good fit. If the fit is not right, you will end up with a broken heart.

Yes, Internet dating and marriage can be a wonderful thing. But the success is 100% up to you. I want to thank Fengrong Liu for coming into my life, and bringing me two wonderful daughters, Song Jing and Liu Yu, a fantastic Mother, a special sister with a great family, and a group of cousins and friends anyone would live and cherish. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

Racism ~ Confusion and Other Thoughts

2011-05-14T09:14:00.000-07:00

Never have I considered myself to be a Racist. But I do have my prejudices because I am Human like we all are. I don't like French cars, I never have and I doubt that I ever will. I don't like okra, especially boiled, but if you disguise it sufficiently, I can deal with it. I don't like people that I consider to be "Elitists", totally self-absorbed or just plain and simple phonies. But recent comments by a prominent athlete have me confused! Bernard Hopkins, a former world champion boxer said a few days ago that Donovan McNabb was not "Black Enough"! What the ....! This has to be confusing for the racists among us. I am confused and I am not a racist! What does this mean?

OK, so if you hate all Blacks because they are black, then I would still call you a racist. But what happens to the person who thinks that college educated Blacks are OK, but the "Ghetto" Blacks are not? Is this person still a racist? And what can we call Blacks who hate one of the two groups? Is a "Ghetto" Black who hates the college educated Black a racist? I don't know about this new revelation. Think about this and let me know what you think. As I said, I am confused about this.

You that read this know that I really enjoy sports. But, ENOUGH OF TIGER WOODS! Every day on ESPN's Sports Center, there are Tiger updates. The man hasn't won anything for YEARS! If golf is important enough for you to report on, why aren't you reporting more on the NEW people in the game? Why don't you do stories about OTHER golfers? Or could it be that without Tiger, golf is simply a game that is not especially important to Americans? I'm really tired of this, so PLEASE tell us what IS happening in the sports world and quit telling us what is NOT happening, like Tiger NOT winning, or Tiger NOT playing.

Continuing with sports for a moment, we fans are facing some serious times ahead. The NFL is currently in a lockout and up to their overstuffed wallets in court! Billionaires fighting with millionaires over who should get what percentage of more than a 9 billion dollar pie! So, I have to ask all of you this, does it really matter? We all know that in the end, the owners will simply raise their prices on tickets and merchandise to make up for what they feel they need, and it is us, THE FANS who will pay! And all indicators point to the same thing happening with Basketball. The NBA will have a similar lockout. I like to plan ahead, so if my TV time come Fall and Winter is not going to include sports, I need to find something to slot into the vacancies this will create in my life. Do any of you know of a professional ping-pong league I can change my allegiance to? Let me know.

There is a new candidate that has announced his entry into the Presidential Race. This guy from Texas. So, what is so confusing about another person getting into the race? Well, he says that we should legalize both prostitution and heroin. Well done! My confusion, however, comes at his EXCLUSION of MARIJUNA! I'm all for legalizing drugs, but why heroin and not good old POT? Maybe this guy is prejudice against pot, cocaine and other drugs. Maybe he just likes heroin. But if you want votes at the booth, you better look at the number of pot users in this country before you exclude us. Just a thought.

This has been fun, but I must be going. The rain is starting to fall, so I will soon loose my Internet connection, sorry. Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie

Government Conspiracy ~ Real od Not

2011-05-11T08:27:00.000-07:00

Hell Yes they are real! Are you kidding me? Certainly not all claimed conspiracies are real, but the government is, after all, made of people, and people make mistakes, and people lie, and people don't like to take blame. Show me a group of people, more than a million of them, where all tell the truth every time, nobody ever lies, and every word they speak, every word they write and every impression they portray is 100% accurate, and I'll show you PROOF that Aliens exist! So, I decided that the real question is not if there are conspiracies, but to what extent do they exist. And, are they important!

Conspiracy theorists abound! If you listen to them, there is another conspiracy daily. So, as I was sitting back in a mellow and reflective mood ( self induced?? maybe...). I began to think about this. Is the belief in "Government Conspiracy" greater today than in the past, say the last 100 years? How about the last 1000 years? Longer? At first I thought that this was most likely true, but the more I thought about this, the more I came to believe that the percentage of these believed conspiracies has probably not changed. What has changed is our ability to discover them and to communicate that discovery to others. The evolution of the media, radio and television, the Internet and wireless personal communications devices have all been responsible for making the claims of conspiracy instantly available to the public.

We all know that government conspiracy exists, from the White House to the local Dog Catcher. We all know this, but we can not and do not go to the time and effort to prove this because for the most part, conspiracies are not important to us. We are not impressed with proving the local dog catcher was using his work vehicle for a trip to the local grocery store while he is on the clock, and we are not interested in string pulling and arm bending behind the scenes when Trudy was awarded teacher of the month in Every Town Elementary School. But we crave those really big juicy ones!

Give us JFK, Watergate, Area 51! We eat that up! We want to know everything, and what we don't know, where there blanks in our knowledge, we fill in the blanks with conjecture. And another conspiracy theory is born. We will never know the truth behind the JFK assassination. The government has seen to this, and Watergate, well, we know a lot, but those missing 18 minutes of tape will never be discovered, and without that, there is nothing to do but to let the book writers write some more books. Area 51? Do you believe that there are Alien spacecraft somewhere inside that disavowed facility? I have no idea, but I would like to believe it, because I would like to know if we have proof that we have neighbors. Hell, if I knew how to, I'd invite them over for a good old fashioned Bar-B-Que. But, where am I going with this?

This is not very complex in my way of thinking. We all know that government conspiracies exist. Keep looking into those that you discover. Look at them and take action. For the Dog Catcher, maybe you demote him, or fire him. But for publicly elected officials, you do two things. You get them OUT of office, and you hold them responsible in the courts! Unfortunately, you voters reelect them... and this I do not understand. If your favorite ball player was found to have conspired with your arch rival team to throw a game, do you want to extend his contract? If your employee was discovered to have conspired in an effort to hide a mistake that cost your company money, do you reward him with a promotion? You spend more time questioning the voting on "Dancing With the Stars" than you do with the voting on the National Budget? Use some common sense! Or quit crying wolf and disappear totally into your fantasy world. Have a great day.

The Old Hippie

Religion and Politics ~ Politics and Religion

2011-05-10T08:12:00.000-07:00

They mix like oil and water, and form a compound more volatile than nitroglycerin. They always have, and they always will. Throughout recorded history religion has fueled more wars than anything else. Maybe not, but it is in the top three reasons. You can argue successfully that the desire for wealth or power is in the top spot. But when you look at the whole, religion is way up there. And the whole picture includes both wars between religions, like the "Crusades", but wars within religions. Christians waging war against other Christians, example being France declaring war on England at the urging of the Pope after Henry VIII formed the Church of England, and wars within Islam pitting different sects of Muslim's against one another. This is a pitiful commentary on mankind. And here, in America, it is unconstitutional. It is AGAINST THE LAW! But who are we to let something as trivial as the Constitution stop us.

The first ten amendments to our constitution is often referred to as "The Bill of Rights". The first of these amendments gives Americans the Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Religion and the Freedom of Petition. This may be the most written about amendment to the constitution, and for good reason. But the freedom of religion was so important to Americans at that time, that it was made part of the law of the land. So, this being said, I have the right to choose my own religion, and to practice that religion, and you can not persecute me for doing it. Every American has this right! What is commonly called "The Separation of Church and State" is directly drawn from this first amendment, and has been repeatedly cited by the Supreme Court. For reasons of simplicity here, I'll just say that the First Amendment prohibits the government from interfering in religion, and prohibits laws that persecuted religion. But, the flaw, if I can call it that, is that it does NOT prevent religious groups from taking political action.

Christians in this country see America as a Christian country. And it is true that America is a predominantly Christian in religious following. But there is a sect that is very radical and fundamental, and they are determined to implement their views through legislation. They see America as their country, their Christian country, and believe that they have been directed by God to make this country into one that is in accordance with their views and beliefs. They fight tirelessly trying to insert their moral views into laws governing ALL Americans. Don't get me wrong, strong morals are important for a healthy society, and it is important for all Americans to develop a strong moral core. But, the problem is a small percentage of Christian radicals that have their own agenda, and are doing everything in their power politically to change this country into their own image of what they believe their God wants. And we all know that the squeaky wheel is the one that gets the grease!

Most Christians are not like this, but you can not deny that the radicals exist. Look at the evidence. Fire bombings of Synagogues and Mosques, bombings at abortion clinics, anti-Islamic and anti-Jewish marches and rallies. And recently a Christian church leader burned a copy of the Koran for no other reason than to get publicity! Where is the moral justification for action like this? Please take a step back and look at what is happening! When some radical does something so abhorrent, so hateful, where are you good Christians? The unfortunate truth is that you are woefully silent! And by being silent, you give the impression that you support these radical views. So, I implore you to get up off your sanctimonious backsides and speak out against this radical behavior. Or, run the risk as being seen as part of this radical element.

And I implore you Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and Hindus to speak out! Every religion has it's radical element. When something is done supposedly in YOUR name that is not consistent with YOUR beliefs, say something, and say it loud and clear. And show each other some respect, some tolerance and some love. How about trying to support one another. The fact is that America belongs to all of us.

I was raised a Christian. Brought up as a Presbyterian. Attended Sunday School and church. Later, in my college years, I took a class called "Religions of the World", not because I was particularly interested, but truthfully, it seemed like an easy way to get one of my sociology requirements. And in looking at the major religions, something very strange happened to me. Unplanned, and without realizing it, I learned something! And what I learned was this, they all teach good things, and they all teach total BS! Look, if God created first Adam, then Eve, and they produced two sons, Cain and Able, where did Cain and Able go to to find their wives? I don't remember reading of any "Wives Are Us" outlets near the Garden of Eden in the Bible. And the teachings of "Reincarnation" as professed in Eastern religions really stretch my powers of comprehension. I could come back as an inch worm, or a baker????

But they all have good teachings. They all have things that, when learned and practiced, will make people better human beings. What this resulted in for me was Atheism. I don't believe in a God, but I do believe in trying to live a good life. And I believe that I have the right to believe as I do. I don't want to be forced into having to live my life according to the moral views and beliefs of someone else.

The separation of church and state exists for a very good reason. The government has the responsibility serve and protect the people, to insure their health and safety and to provide security. The government is responsible for the material needs of society. Religion should not be concerned with a material world. It should be responsible for the soul, and the preparation for the material being to enter the next life, be it heaven, hell or reincarnation back into this material world. Society is a tenuous institution at best. We need both government and morals. Why complicate things. Let us move toward trying to live together, toward harmony, toward understanding and toward acceptance. It would be a far better world if we only practiced what we preach, "Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself". Don't you think? Have A Great Day,

The Old Hippie