I haven’t written that much about the national political scene as of late. This is not to say that I haven’t been following it. But sometimes, for me personally, it isn’t until I actually sit down and write down some of the observations and “goings on” in the current political scene, I can’t help but thinking of that old saying, “sometimes the more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Now I’m not saying that things aren’t happening out there, but it does seem that the Great Divide that we sensed out there last November, is still out there! And yes, I may be a little partial or prejudiced on this matter but Honestly, as I look over the tactics and the strategy being used by what is referred to as the “opposition party,” namely the Democrats, I can’t help that they, the Democratic Party as a whole, is still maintaining a position of being Obstructionists. Yes, Obstructionists.
Now whether we can say there is a Cultural Divide, I don’t really think that statement can be made. From an outsider’s viewpoint, it might appear that there is a huge chasm in our national cultural scene. And yet, if you look closer, you might observe that it’s not a divide so much as the perception of a divide.
The Terri Schiavo case is a great example. According to the mainstream media, it looks as if a major part of the U.S. Population agrees with the courts and their decisions. And yet, one has to look at how the questions were posed. “Does Terri Schiavo Have A Right To Die?” Of course she does. But that isn’t what is at stake.
What is at stake is Do We Really Have A Choice In Dying (Outside of Divine Causes)? And is this decision based on our perceptive Value to Society at the time?
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Writer’s Block // Print On Demand, The Future of Publishing Now!
I’m gleaning some ideas from various sources here but the topic of the day is this whole Print On Demand revolution in Publishing. Yes, I dare say “revolution” with a small “r.” I say this with a small “r” because this revolution is going on unnoticed by most of the reader’s market out there. It’s sort of just developing and happening without any one really being outwardly cognizant of it going on.
In this way, the Internet came on the scene in a similar way that is, at least until the whole dot.com era hit Wall Street and IPO’s were being formed as commonly as major commercial real estate closings. It was at this point that people began to take notice and of course, pour all sorts of monies into these companies with the hope of riding on the coat tails of each dot.com’s success. By the time the general public became aware of this, the major money to made had been made. That doesn’t mean no money can be made regarding the Internet today but different models have to be formed and created.
Well, the Print On Demand technology and process is at the point where not that many people are aware of it’s growth potential. Which means now is the time to be a part of this publishing model, whether it be actually as a user of the technology or as an investor in this technology.
And there are different ways to get involved as an investor. One of the primary methods would be to search out and research some of the Print On Demand companies out there. An example would be Random House Publishing, which owns (for all practical purposes) Xlibris, one of leaders and pioneers in this new technology and methods of bookselling and distribution. There are others and I will try to list a few more of them in the future.
The other way to invest is to seek out an author who is trying to publish his/her writings. This method has pluses and minuses. On the plus side, you have the advantage of being close to the creative talent and, if one has an entrepreneurial bent, to influence and develop a marketing plan for the publication’s distribution and consequently work out an agreement as to a share of the profits. The downside of this methodology is that this area is still new and this definitely requires work both on your part along with the author. But then, it is a way to get into the publishing field with as a minimal cost as possible. I’ll also try to expand on some of these ideas in the near future.
And then of course, the primary method of getting involved is as a creative talent user of the technology. This all depends on your own particular creative bent and if you have something to offer. The key is that you believe that you have something to offer. If it’s something you believe in, it will be something worth the effort to put into the whole process of creating, editing, copywriting, and publishing, along with developing a blog and /or a website for distribution. Of course, some of the companies out there already offer many of these tools. Again, in the near future, I also hope to expand on this some of the opportunities available out there.
In this way, the Internet came on the scene in a similar way that is, at least until the whole dot.com era hit Wall Street and IPO’s were being formed as commonly as major commercial real estate closings. It was at this point that people began to take notice and of course, pour all sorts of monies into these companies with the hope of riding on the coat tails of each dot.com’s success. By the time the general public became aware of this, the major money to made had been made. That doesn’t mean no money can be made regarding the Internet today but different models have to be formed and created.
Well, the Print On Demand technology and process is at the point where not that many people are aware of it’s growth potential. Which means now is the time to be a part of this publishing model, whether it be actually as a user of the technology or as an investor in this technology.
And there are different ways to get involved as an investor. One of the primary methods would be to search out and research some of the Print On Demand companies out there. An example would be Random House Publishing, which owns (for all practical purposes) Xlibris, one of leaders and pioneers in this new technology and methods of bookselling and distribution. There are others and I will try to list a few more of them in the future.
The other way to invest is to seek out an author who is trying to publish his/her writings. This method has pluses and minuses. On the plus side, you have the advantage of being close to the creative talent and, if one has an entrepreneurial bent, to influence and develop a marketing plan for the publication’s distribution and consequently work out an agreement as to a share of the profits. The downside of this methodology is that this area is still new and this definitely requires work both on your part along with the author. But then, it is a way to get into the publishing field with as a minimal cost as possible. I’ll also try to expand on some of these ideas in the near future.
And then of course, the primary method of getting involved is as a creative talent user of the technology. This all depends on your own particular creative bent and if you have something to offer. The key is that you believe that you have something to offer. If it’s something you believe in, it will be something worth the effort to put into the whole process of creating, editing, copywriting, and publishing, along with developing a blog and /or a website for distribution. Of course, some of the companies out there already offer many of these tools. Again, in the near future, I also hope to expand on this some of the opportunities available out there.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Writer’s Block // Happy Easter For Everyone Out There! And Despite The Terri Schiavo Case, There Still Is Hope Out There!
I haven’t written anything here in a while. I’ve been quite busy with a few personal matters such as completing the FAFSA and Profile forms for my 2 teenagers getting ready for their college year next year.
For those of you who have children out there applying for college next year, you know of what I speak. Nevertheless, between this activity and working on our taxes and teaching and consulting, time has been filled quickly and has also been moving along at a quick pace. And so here it is, Easter 2005!
As I get older, I actually look forward to Lent as an opportunity to do some reflecting. This Lent has proven to be a Godsend! What with my Father passing away last August, I actually looked forward to spending some special time with our Creator and nurturing the spiritual roots within me. And this Lent has truly provided that opportunity for me to do exactly that!
As a Catholic, we observe one of the Holiest days of the year in what is referred to as the Holy Triduum, which consists of Holy Thursday, Good Friday (the suffering, death and burial of Our Lord Jesus Christ) and Holy Saturday, concluding with the Easter Vigil, which is the celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ! As a Catholic (which means that I am a Christian) this means that we celebrate and commemorate the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which means that he Died For Our Sins, Rose In 3 Days to Conquer Death, Give Us All A New Life and Complete Our Redemption. This is a belief that all Christians accept but for me, with each Lenten season and Triduum, I come closer to understanding these truths even more and yet the Mystery grows even deeper! It is a joyous occasion to celebrate. And so I wish everyone a Happy Easter! Whether you believe in the aforementioned or not, I still wish you a Blessed and Joyous Easter because whether you know it or not, this event that happened some 2,000 years ago is still having a positive effect on everyone!
At the same time, we are in a temporal world, a world with limitations and imperfections. And one of the greatest imperfections that have been demonstrated is the whole debacle with Michael Schiavo and the Schindlers, Terry Schiavo’s parents. While I’m writing this entry, it has been noted that Terry Schiavo is probably at the point of “no return” based on the fact that this is her 9th day without any food or water. In other words, she is reaching the ultimate in starvation.
I know, the so called experts are saying that Terry isn’t feeling any pain. Well, how do we know that? How can these so called experts be so sure? How can they know what Terry feels? By making a statement like that, these so called scientific experts are placing limitations on our knowledge of life.
These experts are saying that they know it all! It’s the same with buying into Darwin’s theories, lock, stock and barrel! No questions asked! And yet, I thought that the scientific method allowed questioning and setting up hypotheses and developing conclusions from these hypotheses. Evidently, the secularists don’t think so. It really makes life difficult, all of this uncertainty. The awareness that these secularists are not in control of life causes them to become totally discombobulated!
Yet amidst this all, after the long haul of a fight and calling our congressmen and senators to do something about Terry, and then the un-elected judges making final decisions, leaving Terry without any hope in this life, we can still hold hope for Terry in the next life! Yes, there is a Next Life! The secularists are only thinking of some mass of cells and flesh coming together and now it’s over, but for the rest of us, we know that Terry has a Soul! And because of that, there still is Hope for Terry as we commemorate our Lord’s Resurrection this Easter Week!
All we can do for now is pray that this “cup passes” for Terri and that she will enter into God’s glory in the next life. At the same time, I think Michael will need some prayers also in making a good examination of his conscience and hopefully realize the error of his ways.
In the meantime, we have to believe in the Hope of what this whole Easter Celebration is all about! There is Hope for one and All! Happy Easter Everyone!
For those of you who have children out there applying for college next year, you know of what I speak. Nevertheless, between this activity and working on our taxes and teaching and consulting, time has been filled quickly and has also been moving along at a quick pace. And so here it is, Easter 2005!
As I get older, I actually look forward to Lent as an opportunity to do some reflecting. This Lent has proven to be a Godsend! What with my Father passing away last August, I actually looked forward to spending some special time with our Creator and nurturing the spiritual roots within me. And this Lent has truly provided that opportunity for me to do exactly that!
As a Catholic, we observe one of the Holiest days of the year in what is referred to as the Holy Triduum, which consists of Holy Thursday, Good Friday (the suffering, death and burial of Our Lord Jesus Christ) and Holy Saturday, concluding with the Easter Vigil, which is the celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ! As a Catholic (which means that I am a Christian) this means that we celebrate and commemorate the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which means that he Died For Our Sins, Rose In 3 Days to Conquer Death, Give Us All A New Life and Complete Our Redemption. This is a belief that all Christians accept but for me, with each Lenten season and Triduum, I come closer to understanding these truths even more and yet the Mystery grows even deeper! It is a joyous occasion to celebrate. And so I wish everyone a Happy Easter! Whether you believe in the aforementioned or not, I still wish you a Blessed and Joyous Easter because whether you know it or not, this event that happened some 2,000 years ago is still having a positive effect on everyone!
At the same time, we are in a temporal world, a world with limitations and imperfections. And one of the greatest imperfections that have been demonstrated is the whole debacle with Michael Schiavo and the Schindlers, Terry Schiavo’s parents. While I’m writing this entry, it has been noted that Terry Schiavo is probably at the point of “no return” based on the fact that this is her 9th day without any food or water. In other words, she is reaching the ultimate in starvation.
I know, the so called experts are saying that Terry isn’t feeling any pain. Well, how do we know that? How can these so called experts be so sure? How can they know what Terry feels? By making a statement like that, these so called scientific experts are placing limitations on our knowledge of life.
These experts are saying that they know it all! It’s the same with buying into Darwin’s theories, lock, stock and barrel! No questions asked! And yet, I thought that the scientific method allowed questioning and setting up hypotheses and developing conclusions from these hypotheses. Evidently, the secularists don’t think so. It really makes life difficult, all of this uncertainty. The awareness that these secularists are not in control of life causes them to become totally discombobulated!
Yet amidst this all, after the long haul of a fight and calling our congressmen and senators to do something about Terry, and then the un-elected judges making final decisions, leaving Terry without any hope in this life, we can still hold hope for Terry in the next life! Yes, there is a Next Life! The secularists are only thinking of some mass of cells and flesh coming together and now it’s over, but for the rest of us, we know that Terry has a Soul! And because of that, there still is Hope for Terry as we commemorate our Lord’s Resurrection this Easter Week!
All we can do for now is pray that this “cup passes” for Terri and that she will enter into God’s glory in the next life. At the same time, I think Michael will need some prayers also in making a good examination of his conscience and hopefully realize the error of his ways.
In the meantime, we have to believe in the Hope of what this whole Easter Celebration is all about! There is Hope for one and All! Happy Easter Everyone!
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Writer’s Block // Crimes Committed By Young Teenagers (under 18 years of age). Just In Time With The Supreme Court Ruling!
Two more crimes have been reported over the last 2 days, which involve young teenagers, under the age of 18. Actually, one was 17 years of age and the others were 12 and 13 years of age.
The crime committed by the 17 year old occurred in Tennessee! For some reason, this 17 year old felt that shooting his school bus driver just had to be done. 17 years of age! No reason reported or given as of this reporting.
The crime committed by the 12 and 13 year olds were killing an 87 year old retired man, in his affordable rented trailer in a San Luis Obispo trailer park, with a skateboard! What was the motive? Why? How come? I mean, what could an 87 year old man have done to them?
And so it goes! Just in time for the new Supreme Court Ruling! I guess these poor, little innocents really didn’t know what they were doing? No?
The crime committed by the 17 year old occurred in Tennessee! For some reason, this 17 year old felt that shooting his school bus driver just had to be done. 17 years of age! No reason reported or given as of this reporting.
The crime committed by the 12 and 13 year olds were killing an 87 year old retired man, in his affordable rented trailer in a San Luis Obispo trailer park, with a skateboard! What was the motive? Why? How come? I mean, what could an 87 year old man have done to them?
And so it goes! Just in time for the new Supreme Court Ruling! I guess these poor, little innocents really didn’t know what they were doing? No?
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Writer's Blot//Has Our Supreme Court Become The New Politburo?
I haven't even begun to look over the Internet since the ruling that came out of our Supreme Court yesterday regarding the application of capital punishment to those considered to be minors. But after listening to some of the cases involving these so-called "minors" (meaning the respective individuals committed their CAPITAL crimes while being under the age of 18), it reflects the inconsistency of the Court's thinking.
For example, a simple majority in this Court seem to be so concerned with these particular individuals (individuals who committed these horrible, brutal crimes), reasoning that these persons were not in a mature state of mind and somehow are "just kids" and didn't really know what sort of crimes they committed. And yet, this is the same Supreme Court that believes a minor, a 13 year old girl, is rational enough to go out and have an abortion without obtaining any parental consent.
But even more appalling (and consequently a frightening and scary) implication of yesterday's ruling is --- 5 people made this decision. 5 JUDGES! To top it off, these 5 judges were not elected by the people and these 5 judges do not have to answer to anyone.
The thrust of yesterday's decision has more to do with "How We (The U.S.of A.) look to the rest of the world." Justice Kennedy went even so far as to say that we've fallen behind in respect to most of the other countries in the world as far as allowing capital punishment of minors is concerned. It appears that the Constitution doesn't seem to matter at all to these 5 judges!
They now have taken on the role of acting like little gods!
I remember studying, while I was a Political Science major back in the 60's at Loyola University, all about the Soviet Union and it's governing bodies, especially with respect to the Polituburo. This governing body consisted of elites. The fact that a whole elitist class developed may have been a major contributing factor towards the downfall of Communism in the Soviet Union. (Thank God!) Nevertheless, the average citizen in the Soviet Union, at the time , had little to say as far as what went on in the governing of their country.
Well, it looks as if we have come down to this -- we now have lowered our expectations of democratic government, a government By the People, For The People and Of The People. We now have our own POLITBURO! THE UNITED STATE SUPREME COURT!
For example, a simple majority in this Court seem to be so concerned with these particular individuals (individuals who committed these horrible, brutal crimes), reasoning that these persons were not in a mature state of mind and somehow are "just kids" and didn't really know what sort of crimes they committed. And yet, this is the same Supreme Court that believes a minor, a 13 year old girl, is rational enough to go out and have an abortion without obtaining any parental consent.
But even more appalling (and consequently a frightening and scary) implication of yesterday's ruling is --- 5 people made this decision. 5 JUDGES! To top it off, these 5 judges were not elected by the people and these 5 judges do not have to answer to anyone.
The thrust of yesterday's decision has more to do with "How We (The U.S.of A.) look to the rest of the world." Justice Kennedy went even so far as to say that we've fallen behind in respect to most of the other countries in the world as far as allowing capital punishment of minors is concerned. It appears that the Constitution doesn't seem to matter at all to these 5 judges!
They now have taken on the role of acting like little gods!
I remember studying, while I was a Political Science major back in the 60's at Loyola University, all about the Soviet Union and it's governing bodies, especially with respect to the Polituburo. This governing body consisted of elites. The fact that a whole elitist class developed may have been a major contributing factor towards the downfall of Communism in the Soviet Union. (Thank God!) Nevertheless, the average citizen in the Soviet Union, at the time , had little to say as far as what went on in the governing of their country.
Well, it looks as if we have come down to this -- we now have lowered our expectations of democratic government, a government By the People, For The People and Of The People. We now have our own POLITBURO! THE UNITED STATE SUPREME COURT!
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