I am often taken aback and surprised by peoples' reactions to certain words. It seems some words are "loaded" and the mere mention of them can cause people to wig out. Take the word "socialism". I was talking to a friend one day and unfortunately the subject of politics arose. I cannot remember the specifics, only my friend turning pale, becoming tense and struggling to even say the words; "you're talking about socialism". As I questioned her about her reaction, it was clear she did not really even know what socialism was...only that it had something to do with Russia.
So how is it we can be so certain of our own system when even discussing other ways of doing things is somehow blasphemy? I also think it's a pretty good trick to get people so flipped out about words that they become unable to think rationally on certain subjects.
My understanding of socialism is that the workers own the means of production. What's so bad about that? That means the people working themselves to death would actually get a cut of the profits rather than some CEO living like a king in his fiefdom surrounded by peons.
Public Utilities shouldn't even be privately owned. The systems that have been built with taxpayer money especially need to be owned by the taxpayers.
I really don't understand why private ownership of industry is supported so wholeheartedly by the workers. Is it because they might get the chance to hit the big time and become rich and powerful themselves? Well, if it is at the expense of other people, what the hell good is it?
Our system of capitalism is Darwinism at it's finest...only the strong survive. If that is the kind of world we want, why even bother with things like health care and food stamps? Let the weak die...right?
I have always believed it was human compassion that separated us from animals; that as humans we rise above the need to kill, maim and pillage in order to survive. It seems though, the only thing that really separates us from animals is that we have much better ways of wiping our competitors out. We do not view the planet as one community that requires our attention to all; we guard and protect our own little pile of stuff with a killers instinct, then we take that to broader and broader boundaries until we are a country who seems to think nothing of invading other countries to take their resources. If this is the case, why do we need law and order? If this is our basic nature, to steal and kill...why do we need punishment? Because people don't want to live in a dog eat dog world. People want to live a peaceful, comfortable life. All people want this. No one wants to live in a war zone. It seems to me, in order to live a peaceful life, one must be peaceful. One must know how to play and work well with others...kindergarten stuff. Bullying others, pushing them down and taking their lunch is just what America is doing to the middle east. If we are going to be involved with the rest of the planet, we must set an example of human behavior. Destroying countries, torturing and imprisoning people and causing general mayhem in all arenas is not my idea of maturity and leadership. This is just my opinion though.

This small and humble pyewacket has been having problems getting out of bed for the past few mornings. There has been something happening in the outer perimeters of my life that I have wanted to write about, but have been unable to bring voice to.
I'm not even sure I can now, but I'm going to try.
A life long friend of my sister has been experiencing about the worst scenerio anyone could fathom going through. Her 19 year old nephew was arrested and recently convicted of second degree murder.
During the months of investigations, interviews and general police mayhem that the family has endured, I have had to ask myself how much justice there really is happening in our justice system.
The entire situation has seemed to be more about political careers and number crunching than concern in any way shape or form with the lives of the human beings involved.
I have read with utter disbelief the entire case printed in the newspaper before it ever entered a court room. If a person has already been found guilty in the local press, how can this same person hope to get a fair trial in that same locality? How is it that evidence can be discussed in the daily news before it has been entered as such into the proceedings? How can evidence that is pertinent to a case be disallowed from being presented? How is it that any of the other people "of interest" were never even looked at or investigated?
How can a 19 year old boy who has never been violent before in his life, suddenly be convicted of a murder in which there is no body? How can anyone be convicted of a murder where there is no body and no definitive crime scene?
I might be able to grasp this whole thing if this family had a history of violence and trouble; but they don't. You'd think you'd see evidence of that kind of disturbing behavior in over 40 years of knowing someone, wouldn't you?
There is so much going on in this country that makes my gut knot up. I try to write about these things...to find out if I'm the only one feeling this way - which I'm not; and to maybe inspire another person to ask these questions too. I am relieved to find there are many other people wondering about the same things I'm wondering about, but wondering isn't enough when children are being led away in chains without fair and objective judgment.

Steely Dan will be at Turning Stone Casino in Verona NY on June 1. Anyone want to go??

Many of you are aware of the multiple health issues I am dealing with. Frequent doctor visits in every specialty have yielded little more than a new bottle of some kind of drug on my medicine cabinet shelf.

For a couple of years now my son has been encouraging me to try acupuncture. The fact that alternative healing methods are not covered by insurance or Medicare made it cost prohibitive, so Justin sent me some cashola.

I did a little research and found someone with a good reputation and have seen some of the results he has achieved in others. After only two sessions, I am amazed at how quickly and thoroughly my symptoms are disappearing.

Migraine headaches were leveling me on a daily basis. Since Will (Fudeman)my acupuncturist has treated me, the headaches have subsided by a clear 75%. The intensity, duration and occurances have all been affected.

I also had come down with a really horrible cold just before my first treatment. He paid special attention to that malady and I could literally feel my lungs and sinuses draining of congestion during my treatment! The next day it was as if the cold had entered it's last stages and I felt good enough to clean my apartment.

You just cannot imagine my joy in having hope revived that I will regain enough vitality and strength to enjoy my life. My son has told me the results are cumulative and I am excited to continue.

The insertion of the so-called needles is quite painless. I actually do not feel most of them at all. Occasionally, when a chi center is particularly blocked, the needle being inserted is mildly uncomfortable, but nothing like a blood test or injection. The needles are so fine, they virtually fit into a pore.

Anyway...I know many people are suffering with this and that and ancient Chinese medicine seems to cover all of them! For instance, my sister's neighbor, who also sees Will, has MS but you'd never know she was that ill. She absolutely believes acupuncture is what keeps her symptom free. If you have gone as far as American medicine can take you and you still aren't well, please consider this alternative. I'm not saying it holds every answer, but 6000 years of observation and research can't be wasted time.

Americans....decendants of courageous and strong pioneers who left civilization to carve out a totally new existence in a foreign land. People of such intense belief and commitment, they were willing to sacrifice everything society had to offer at that time in order to fulfill their personal dreams.
When at last some semblance of comfort existed where once there stood dense, foreboding wilderness; the country of origin tried to step in and claim it as her own.
The people of this land did not sit back and accept domination politely.
They doubled their efforts, sacrificed greatly and fought a long and bloody battle to win their independence. We have heard the story of the Boston Tea Party. Tea was the staple of American life. It was even more dear to them than our coffee beans are to us; but did they continue to use it? No. They dumped it into the harbor and switched to hot cocoa!
When England came with soldiers and said, "You will obey!", the people of this country responded with an overwhelming "Blow it out your ear!"

What happened?

Our own government, having now assumed the arrogance of the aristocratic past, holds each one of us hostage to the very things our ancestors and relatives fought against and died for.
We pay taxes on our taxes and for the necessities of everyday life; things we can't do without. Your home is not your own, unless you pay the taxes.
Our workers work harder and longer hours than any other technologically advanced country! Yet when unions stood in the way of corporate seizure of our freedom, they were simply dissolved and hardly a whimper was heard.
Our children are uneducated and medically neglected while even undeveloped countries spring ahead of us in the statistics.
The news was reported today that summer would again see high rises in gasoline prices. Why? There is NO other reason besides the fact the oil companies are getting richer and richer...that's it...but does anyone do anything but complain? The fat cats of the petrol industry don't care if we whine and moan all day long...but I bet they sure would take notice if the sleeping American public would take just one day out of 365 to strike. Don't work, don't buy, don't travel. One day. 24 hours. You better believe there would be scurrying in the rat pack quarters. How would America survive one day without television? Talk about pansy...we are!

All I hear are arguments between political affiliations. "You Democrat"..."You Republican"...conservative, liberal ad nauseum. Great, we're all fighting about which group of thieves we support. That's really quite brilliant, isn't it. Meanwhile, life zooms by at supersonic speed and our kids grow up and leave home while we're at work. Which I'm sorry, no, you can't have time off to say goodbye. Of course, that's if they don't get shipped off to the middle east.

I'd willingly go 24 hours without all but the absolute necessities of life...but I really doubt anyone would notice one person in central New York shivering in the dark under a blanket...so if anyone has a better idea, please let me know!

Pye is pissed.