Saturday, November 13, 2010

Worldy Wisdom?

On my mind? I am trying to contain my patience with the cretins in the news. Am I in a vacuum believing that if one is in the limelight, as a leader or spokesperson that we civilians to look to for guidance, that the honor entails responsibly? Why not raise the bar? Why not make the world a better place for our children ...in discussing and writing about the issues? I see nefarious self promotion schemes as an accepted and admired norm: schemes where the means justifies the ends, ethics and fair play are not even in the universe for so many leaders on all sides of the political arena throughout academia in the US and around the world. The US has noble legacy that we should be proud of and these lost souls who represent us in the news need to be embarrassed away from self promotion via sleazy strategies. I recently discovered “The Art of Worldly Wisdom” by Balthasar Gracian. I am just starting to look at it and don't know how much I agree or disagree, but it is one of many starting options. Can we progress as a species a little faster?
http://www.sacred-texts.com/eso/aww/index.htm Every political-socio-economic-racial-religious-geographic-social group needs to_clean house_. Individually as well. I am also guilty of complacency. Of couse I need to elevate my actions, thoughts and words as well, it is a process.
See More
The Art of Worldly Wisdom Index
www.sacred-texts.com
The Art of Worldly Wisdom, by Balthasar Gracian, tr. by Joseph Jacobs, [1892], full text etext at sacred-texts.com

Monday, November 01, 2010

John Stewart’s Speech at the Rally for Sanity and/or Fear

I liked Jon's speech. A day before the rally I listened to a recording of Jon Stewart's first show after 911. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqY3_0RSAXY It gave me a nice perspective about the importance and need of a sane political rally.

Both of Jon's speeches had a similar message. The message is that we are all American and that we stand together. During the last few months I have been getting so worked up listening to the news. The political scene, as reported, is composed of opposing armies bringing this country down. The feelings of animosity between the political parties, candidates, alleged grass root groups, etc. can be contagious and sometimes these emotions and assumptions filter down into my everyday life. My life has enough wear and tear without extremist thoughts worming their way into my head.

Jon Stewart, a talented comedian, took the higher ground yesterday and used his popularity for the greater good. He had an audience far larger then the rally attendees and he some good things to say about the real americans.