Lately I have ran into different views on many people's beliefs as to thier heritage. Mainly, younger generations whose parents may have come from another country, China, Africa, Germany, Mexico, etc. and these younger generations call themselves of that country their parents came from.
What I wonder is this, many claim they are proud of their heritage, whether it be Mexican-American, Italian-American, or African-American, however there are 2 similarities in all those that claim this pride, American being in thier heritage, and most of them (almost all) never lived in their beloved "mother country."
The bottom line is, can I claim that I am a German-American if my grandfather came over after serving in the Kaiser's army during WWI and if I have never been to Germany? I hope not. If you are born in America, no matter what other foreign blood you have in your veins, you are one thing, an American. (why is that bad)?
Lately it seems I have come across many that see this (being just an American) as negative. If we wish to seperate ourselves from the norm (which we all do) why do we choose to look to another country to help our claim, rather than to our own name? Basically why can I not say, "I am a person, an indiviual, but when needed, I am an American." Rather than, "I am German-American." Doesn't that just put me into another social institution? Maybe we want to be special but not too special or not alone and special (unique).
Rousseau once wrote, "Good social institutions are those that know best how to strip a man of his nature, to take from him his real existence and give him one which is only relative, and to add his personality to the common unity: to the end that each individual will no longer think of himself as one, but as a part of the whole, no longer a thinking being except in the group.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Thomas Paine Quote
I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
-Thomas Paine
I think the first part of this quote really shines a guiding light on how individuals should grow and over come certain things one uncovers in their life.
The second part is perfect for truely understanding your motives and over all beliefs. We all are or have already found something that they find true in their hearts and hopefully like Paine says their " conscience approves his conduct". Just a quote on things that I have been trying to understand in my own life.
Jones-
-Thomas Paine
I think the first part of this quote really shines a guiding light on how individuals should grow and over come certain things one uncovers in their life.
The second part is perfect for truely understanding your motives and over all beliefs. We all are or have already found something that they find true in their hearts and hopefully like Paine says their " conscience approves his conduct". Just a quote on things that I have been trying to understand in my own life.
Jones-
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Quick Read
If any one is looking for quick read you should check out a ancient Greek play by Aristophanes called "Clouds". Its a satire making fun of the intellectual trends in Athens, mainly Socrates and his followers. I read it about a year ago for class, but I just read it again and it was better than I remembered. Its not for everyone, but you might like it. Here is a link for the play online... http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/aristophanes/clouds.htm
Monday, July 14, 2008
If you find the time....
A ran into a couple interesting posts on the Freakonomics.com blog.
1. Has to do with China's 1 child rule, which has resulted in a 37 million + difference in males and females favoring women. They are claiming that males are now having trouble finding jobs, finding purpose, and finding women, leading to a rise in crime.
2. A good and longer article or interviews on the topic, How Much Do Looks Really Matter by Stephen Dubner is up. Very interesting how looks (especially when combined with charm) can literally make a person successful. Also known as the Warren Harding effect. Dubner interviews both men and women (some more intelligent than others).
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/how-much-do-looks-matter-a-freakonomics-quorum/#more-2733
1. Has to do with China's 1 child rule, which has resulted in a 37 million + difference in males and females favoring women. They are claiming that males are now having trouble finding jobs, finding purpose, and finding women, leading to a rise in crime.
2. A good and longer article or interviews on the topic, How Much Do Looks Really Matter by Stephen Dubner is up. Very interesting how looks (especially when combined with charm) can literally make a person successful. Also known as the Warren Harding effect. Dubner interviews both men and women (some more intelligent than others).
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/how-much-do-looks-matter-a-freakonomics-quorum/#more-2733
A bit late, but a thought for Independance.
THE PRICE OF COMMITMENT
FOURTH OF JULY
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?
Twenty four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated.
But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble rousing ruffians. They were soft spoken men of means and education.
They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!
Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free!
FOURTH OF JULY
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?
Twenty four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated.
But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble rousing ruffians. They were soft spoken men of means and education.
They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!
Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
A Strategy of Tragedy? or a Strategy of Change?
I thought this was quite thought provoking...A little background: William Mcdonough is an architect/activist...but instead of promoting "sustainability" he advocates for a change in the way we think about industrialism or as he puts it a change towards "Natural Capitalism"....
"We see a world of abundance, not limits. In the midst of a great deal of talk about reducing the human ecological footprint, we offer a different vision. What if humans designed products and systems that celebrate an abundance of human creativity, culture, and productivity? That are so intelligent and safe, our species leaves an ecological footprint to delight in, not lament?
Consider this; all the ants on the planet taken together have a biomass greater than that of humans. Ants have been incredibly industrious for millions of years. Yet their productiveness nourishes plants, animals, and soil. Human industry has been in full swing for a little over a century, yet it has brought about a decline in almost every ecosystem on the planet. Nature doesnt have a design problem. People do."
-William Mcdonough
"We see a world of abundance, not limits. In the midst of a great deal of talk about reducing the human ecological footprint, we offer a different vision. What if humans designed products and systems that celebrate an abundance of human creativity, culture, and productivity? That are so intelligent and safe, our species leaves an ecological footprint to delight in, not lament?
Consider this; all the ants on the planet taken together have a biomass greater than that of humans. Ants have been incredibly industrious for millions of years. Yet their productiveness nourishes plants, animals, and soil. Human industry has been in full swing for a little over a century, yet it has brought about a decline in almost every ecosystem on the planet. Nature doesnt have a design problem. People do."
-William Mcdonough
Friday, July 4, 2008
A Satire for the Greatest Day America has to Celebrate
Yesterday I went for a walk and as usual went through my political hatreds in my thoughts. Thinking of our president and our possible future presidents and the likenesses they share, is what the majority of our nation would classify as poor leadership. I thought of all the Senators and Representatives of all 50 States and all the graft that goes on between them. As I thunk in the state of misery, I became tired and fell asleep under a tree of knowledge. As I dozed off I began to wonder, wouldn’t it be more fitting to live under a dictator or supreme king to settle all this ignorant debate between Democrat and Republican?
Suddenly I was in a foreign place and year, 232 years prior to today. It was July 3rd and I continued my walk. Obviously my attire was strange and many stopped me saying I was improper, but that’s beside the point. As I wondered, I asked someone about our founding fathers as I have studied a bit of history and knew some of them were alive at this time. Quickly I was told to close my mouth less I wanted to be hanged for treason.
“Treason against whom”, I asked?
“Why King George III, whom we must never disobey or talk unreasonably about,” was the answer.
Well, I said, I may be in the right place, since I was just wondering how nice it would be to live in a place without hearing so much political complaining. Deciding I was bored I went for a book and tea. Low and behold the taxes on such items were ridiculous and in looking for a controversial book, I was told I was very ignorant in asking for such a title, as it was not fitting in the English empire.
Then a fellow overhearing my inquiry with the storekeeper asked if I would like to come with him to a meeting of fellow intellectuals. Knowing I would be the most inept and moronic person attending, I saw it as a learning opportunity.
The following day, I was in a room with some very interesting fellows, all united under a cause with a passion I had never before seen. Talking about and refusing the Intolerable and Townshend Acts they were writing something with such power, such passion, I doubted the world had ever seen something of the sort.
I met many men at this meeting, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, Robert Paine from Massachusetts, Elbridge Gerry, Josiah Bartlett, Abraham Clark, George Reed, Charles Carol, Francis Lewis, and many others that I have never heard of in the history books. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were much too busy, but everyone united under this cause of what would have been called treason by King George III.
I was suddenly awaken and could not figure out where I had been, but the day was July 4th, and I felt something special. I stumbled upon a Declaration called that of Independence for the new sovereign United States of America. I realized all that complaining and whining over politics was a freedom I took for granted and that freedom and the ability to acquire more freedom when a tyrant tries to steer a people maliciously is the greatest thing about this great nation. Freedom to read, study, and say anything we wish, is the most beautiful thing in the world. Take a chance to love that freedom with positive thoughts today on Independence Day
Suddenly I was in a foreign place and year, 232 years prior to today. It was July 3rd and I continued my walk. Obviously my attire was strange and many stopped me saying I was improper, but that’s beside the point. As I wondered, I asked someone about our founding fathers as I have studied a bit of history and knew some of them were alive at this time. Quickly I was told to close my mouth less I wanted to be hanged for treason.
“Treason against whom”, I asked?
“Why King George III, whom we must never disobey or talk unreasonably about,” was the answer.
Well, I said, I may be in the right place, since I was just wondering how nice it would be to live in a place without hearing so much political complaining. Deciding I was bored I went for a book and tea. Low and behold the taxes on such items were ridiculous and in looking for a controversial book, I was told I was very ignorant in asking for such a title, as it was not fitting in the English empire.
Then a fellow overhearing my inquiry with the storekeeper asked if I would like to come with him to a meeting of fellow intellectuals. Knowing I would be the most inept and moronic person attending, I saw it as a learning opportunity.
The following day, I was in a room with some very interesting fellows, all united under a cause with a passion I had never before seen. Talking about and refusing the Intolerable and Townshend Acts they were writing something with such power, such passion, I doubted the world had ever seen something of the sort.
I met many men at this meeting, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, Robert Paine from Massachusetts, Elbridge Gerry, Josiah Bartlett, Abraham Clark, George Reed, Charles Carol, Francis Lewis, and many others that I have never heard of in the history books. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were much too busy, but everyone united under this cause of what would have been called treason by King George III.
I was suddenly awaken and could not figure out where I had been, but the day was July 4th, and I felt something special. I stumbled upon a Declaration called that of Independence for the new sovereign United States of America. I realized all that complaining and whining over politics was a freedom I took for granted and that freedom and the ability to acquire more freedom when a tyrant tries to steer a people maliciously is the greatest thing about this great nation. Freedom to read, study, and say anything we wish, is the most beautiful thing in the world. Take a chance to love that freedom with positive thoughts today on Independence Day
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