November 30, 2005

  • 13. Tradition is a reliable guide in deciding what's right.

    Yes, oh yes. Traditions are key
    as our identity, our culture, and our default course of action. I
    wholeheartedly endorse a continuing effort to improve, but when you
    don't have clear alternative, following this past is a pretty good
    guide for the future. Americans historically have struggled doing this
    in our history, and not surprisingly. We were founded as a rejection of
    conventional wisdom and haved perpetually maintained a short history
    frame of reference, rely instead on the near-future as our focus.

    You hear this in phrases like, "the game is only as far as the next
    first down" or "our company's future rides on this quarter's earnings
    report" or "what have you done for me lately" and many others. As we
    mature, I would imagine this will evolve, but if you look at far older
    cultures, things don't change much.

    14. When I'm talking to someone and I find out they've served in a war, I respect them more.

    I wish I did more. For every
    valiant deed, though, I can't see past the inevitable scarring on the
    individual. With the Vietnam War, quite likely the most scarring on
    soldiers of our time, I don't see the soldier's sacrifice or loss, I
    see the seared person and am stopped.

    Have you talked to someone who seemed "off" and felt like it all made
    sense when they said they had served in a war? I see the "off" person,
    not the soldier, and I can't fix that. At least I haven't been able to.
    When my friends come back from Iraq, my mind will jump to how the
    person is different or how I think they will be different because
    they've witness war, because they've killed... Might I be reminded the
    next time I meet a vet that I ought to respect them more for that
    instead.

    15. If I'm dating someone I like to know where they are and what they're up to at all times.

    Doggone right. That's why I only
    date local neighborhood girls. Long distance relationships require
    giving up too much control and expect you to trust the other person.
    Ha, you'll never catch me doing that!

    Quote of the day from my co-worker John: "I once dated a girl in Kaukauna, and I thought that was long distance!"

    16. It bugs me when somebody names their child something like 'Sunshine' or 'Charm'.

    Yes. Make up another name and leave a A Child's Introduction to Nouns alone.

    17. Only literate people should be allowed to vote.

    Government's value of a person
    should not be determined by birth, race, gender, wealth, or education.
    As an individual, value people however you want. I naturally tend to
    favor people who take care of me. As a nation, though, you have to at
    least lend a hand. If it doesn't work, if not everyone votes or eats or
    has a job, so be it. It at least has to be made available, and the
    challenge lies in being sure that all at least be given the
    opportunity. (And no, I don't think we're doing this adequately in the
    US...I hope that's self-evident). Be we do allow illiterate people to
    vote, fortunately.

Comments (12)

  • I forgot what your list was all about but for number 16, we think it wise that TWO parents be involved in the naming process for balance.

  • Some first names that seem crazy to me:

    Plaxico - his mom, as I recall, decided on this name after seeing it on a building outside the hospital room.

    Peerless - that is a LOT to live up to

    And in an interview I heard a while ago with Ice-T (who by the by, named his son "ICE", all in caps), he said he once met a woman with a kid named "Sinner".

  • Dawn, Pearl, Ruby, Lily, Rose, April... all those names could be shot down the same way.  (And yet, I agree.  Strange names are just ... mean.)

  • My sister went to high school with a woman who ended up naming her daughter Cocaine. And yes - she did have a drug problem.

  • 15 and 16  made me grin.  The former elicited grinning because Esther is a lucky girl.  The latter elicited grinning because you also have amazing theology. 

  • Ha... I forgot to say what I came over here to say.  I sent Esther the e-mail. 

  • Ha!  I thought it was strange that you were asking me to send Esther an e-mail.  So funny.

  • lol.. I was trying to be sneaky, but he caved afterall .. yay =)

  • At first I read that only illiterate people should be allowed to vote.  I thought, "Wow, that'd be interesting." 

    Kaukauna is far!  Although when I was a freshman in college, I was dating my neighbor.  He was at home in Milwaukee and I was in the 'Sha.  I thought that was long distance.  Oregon is MUCH farther, though. (Is that right...Oregon?)

    Anyways, thought I'd say hi.  Hope you had a good Thanksgiving! :)

  • ryc: Yes, the falls in Waimea Canyon are a tad bigger, longer than Silver Falls State Park.  See the edit I just posted re: the canyon depth.  What I like so much about the falls in SFSP is that you can get so close to them!!  You feel their majesty!  The next day in Kauia that I post has two falls that you can at least see closer.  Wailua Falls and Opakaee (sp) Falls.

  • ooo I like your new photo =) so good looking!

  • i was wept on a pearl harbor survior, at pearl harbor.  i literally could not help myself. i went up to shake his hand and tel him thank you and next thing he knew i was in his arms bawling.  even now i am watery eyed. 

    and faint is sooo right ...cutie

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