Comments on: Buckle Up – It’s the Law! (by Albus)

By: Albus

Albus — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:43:07 +0000

Growing up, as a species, is a rough row to hoe. There’s never going to be a top-down instant solution to our parochial belief-driven agendas. But a universal language seems like a worthwhile bottom-up baby step in the right direction. Pity the poor people who have been forced to attempt to learn English just to make a living! Many never quite “get it”, as we see repeatedly in the Antigo Daily Journal.

We’re a sad case, as a species. Next time around, I hope to be a dolphin. At least then, I’ll have a porpoise in life….

By: velocipurple

velocipurple — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:56:24 +0000

Albus, I’ve toyed with the thought of Universal cohesion and a collective One Way Road.

Until racial, religious, political and gender biases and prejudices are eradicated, Utopia or a facsimilie thereof will NOT be possible.

I’m afraid that my children will live to see a world, comprised of like minded groups vying for resources to survive. Unless, we as a group of Homo Sapiens, devise a methodology to accomodate the catasrophe we will meet when the Earth realizes its Carrying Capacity had been exceeded.

My greatest wish at present is that Copenhagen has housed people, who for the sake of humanity, will set a precedent for future generations.

We as people or beings, whichever you prefer to be thought of as, no longer live in microcultures. Every thing we do, no matter how miniscule, directly effects the environment around us.

As a designer of sustainable cities, I have conversed with leaders across our borders. We are not that different from other “peoples”, we all have the same fears, expectations, ideologies, morals I could go on and on. My point is, I can’t wrap my head around the fact that people can’t grasp that we are essentially all brothers and sisters and mitochondrial DNA will back that up.

We need to come together on a playing field, not for the sake of winning but for the sake of playing.

By: velocipurple

velocipurple — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:16:08 +0000

Oh. in case you’re wondering and I’m surprised you didn’t mention it! Myself and my children buckle down snuggly when they’re with me traversing the countryside in a motor vehicle.

They will have that choice when they are eighteen and responsible for their actions.

By: velocipurple

velocipurple — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:10:22 +0000

Kohl, Feingold, Obey, Vruwink and Lassa?

By: Albus

Albus — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:12:19 +0000

Herb, Russ, Dave, Amy Sue and Julie sound like people whose company I would enjoy, if only because they seem capable of accommodating people from the thin ends of the bell curve. You’re probably not all that bad, either, once we get past “local coloration” bluster. If you want to go REALLY global with your community efforts, you might consider something like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ido

Talk about eclecticism….

By: velocipurple

velocipurple — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:43:58 +0000

I make no apologies for being dissentient or leaning toward eclecticism.

Herb, Russ, Dave, Amy Sue and Julie would undoubtedly attest to the fact that I can be a real pain in the backside. Yet, I wholeheartedly feel they value my view points and my abstractness.

One last thing Albus. I am actively involved in my community as well as the world stage. World Watch Institute, Greenpeace, UNICEF and the like. I contibute monetarily, mentally and physically. Dare I say, I am not what I appear. Can’t judge a book by the cover and just because it is covered with dust, it doesn’t necessarily mean it hasn’t been read!

I rest………….

By: Albus

Albus — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:44:53 +0000

Legitimate concerns, Velocipurple. Still, it seems to me that using a seatbelt is a matter of common sense, and not using one is more a demonstration of a lack of common sense than it is a valid assertion of personal “freedom”. Of course, with proper acrobatic application of doublethink, you could have it both ways….

By: velocipurple

velocipurple — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:43:03 +0000

By and large I adhere to rules and regulations that are put into play for the well being of others, albeit, it is a personal affront when I’m told to abide because it is “good” for me. Says who? What happened to personal choice?

Out with the “Golden Years”? I do realize and understand about fiscal policies and the bottom line. I also realize and understand that insurance companies run the world and Capitolism seperates the classes and leads to class warfare, which by the way, is coming at us like a steam locomotive out of control.

Yes, you are correct. I do have values and morals, which I instill in my children. I also have raised them to question authority and that includes me. Questioning laws and admonishing authority is the reason WE are a nation and not Subjects of an overseas power.

I was beaten by six Minneapolis police officers in the early eighties because I “looked” like someone they were looking for, on my way home from work. I’ve been rebeling ever since and will continue to do so. I am fully aware this gives me no right to charachterize and judge others. But alas, it opened my eyes to the way things are really done and may per chance given me my jaded overall view of those in power.

Orwells Miniluv department was not too far off the mark, considering his synapses were conjuring thoughts more than sixty years ago. I don’t consider myself a student of Orwellian thought, however I do believe forward thinkers, not ThoughtPolice are needed to save these United States from ruination!

By: Albus

Albus — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:26:19 +0000

Strange as it may seem, I agree with you, at least on your last point, Velocipurple. The trashing the Constitution took during the Bush administration sometimes put me into a trembling rage. That eight years of “Individualism and Patriotism” will take about 24 years to repair, given the huge inertia injected into our political system by an unthinking populace.

By the way, don’t you find it a bit inconsistent to want to keep the Constitution (a set of rules) inviolate, but still insist on picking and choosing which other laws you will or will not obey? You seem to have some core values in conflict with each other. Do you pick and choose among basic principles to keep things convenient for your current desires, like you pick and choose which laws you feel like obeying on any particular day?

By: velocipurple

velocipurple — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:41:37 +0000

Shees Albus, what is with the diatribe? You’ve hurt my feelings somtin terrible.
My point and stance has to do with Individualism and Patriotism, not bravado and machismo.
What is your position on older vehicles that were not equipped with seat belts? Oh, lets say a ’32 Packard Phaeton, alter it and install a four point harness, so as to avoid any booboos that “might” happen?
Might I digress? I suppose you were all for NAFTA. Because the Government decided it was a good thing! I was in college when NAFTA was “on the table” and protested vehemently. Alas, 20 years later, look where it took us. No amount of debate or argument changed my mind then, and I’ve stood behind my conviction.
The U.S. Constitution has been subjected to, white-out, erasures and sharpies, while “the People” stand idley by and clap for the sake of progression. I, for one, say phooey.
Pull your pants up, tuck your shirt in, look the “man” straight in the eye and say,”not this time mister”!