Index of Previous Columns
die soziale Markwirtschaft Spring Has Sprung September 11, 2001 The Dinner Table A Slippery Slope Noah's Ark Science Without Faith Serfdom Wishful Thinking Evaluation Population Growth Santa Claus No, we are not abandoning English. In June, Hillsdale College sponsored a cruise. One of its features was a lecture by the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus. In his speech he used the term die soziale Markwirtschaft which translates as 'social democracy.'
die soziale MarkwirtschaftIn his speech he discussed the crisis of the European Union. While living in what is known today as the Czech Republic, he had firsthand experience of living under less than benevolent regimes, the Nazis followed by Russian rule. Having served twice as Prime Minister of the Republic, he now is its President and is not overjoyed by what is happening in Europe.
He talked briefly about the old Europe and then launched into disturbing recent developments resulting in the current crisis somewhat familiar to us but with overtones which perhaps are unfamiliar to the American public. He likens it to a long-term problem of major consequence. He said it was not caused only by a financial and economic crisis but the crisis made it more visible.
Its roots were deep, not shallow, caused by two major phenomena. The first was the European integration process The second was the evolution of the European economic and social system. To this he referred to their “permissive, anti-market, redistributive society, a society that has forgotten the ideas on which the greatness of Europe was built.”
The reasoning behind this by the people is more subtle. There is the readily accepted notion that regional integration is exclusively progressive and politically correct. And many Europeans also readily accept the weakening of nation states favoring the strengthening of a supranational institution. Today the European Union exists along with a single currency, the Euro, embraced by a number of European states.
This, Klaus explained, led to its social democracy with “generous social benefits, weakened motivation, shortened working hours, prolonged years of study, lowered retirement ages, diminished supply of labor and led to a very slow economic growth. This was accomplished by a gradual shift away from liberalizing and removing barriers towards a massive introduction of regulation from above, an ever-expanding welfare system and an increase of regulatory burdens on business.”
He concluded by saying that what is happening in Europe is highly visible, impossible to hide followed by this provocative statement: “Of course, with the way your American government has been going, you might be able to catch up with us–in terms of our problems–very soon. But you are not as far along yet. So maybe seeing Europe's crisis today will at least help you in America turn back toward freedom.”
Czech Republic President Dr. Václav Klaus has spoken. But are we listening? 8/2011
Spring Has Sprung Autumn is just around the corner. The ditty Spring has sprung, The grass is riz, I wonder where The flowers is (or something like that) speaks. We all expect our seasons to go, more or less, on schedule. In our last column we talked about the European and American debt crises. Crises also are seasonal, they come and go, and at times are predictable, but they are unlike seasons with their regularity (even in hot or cold climates to a lesser degree).We've heard a lot about the Spring Revolution which continues after many months. This has affected the entire Middle East in varying degrees. In some instances it involves countries quite familiar, but others are rather unfamiliar to many of us. Here is a list of a number of nations involved: Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen.
Many if not all of these nations, states, or countries boast of ancient histories, unlike our infant country with its origin in 1776. However, most of them exist today as rather young entities in spite of a long heritage. Some have been ruled for decades by solitary figures or families where occupants of the land have had little or nothing to say about their governing.
Various factors have arisen to make their plight visible, not only to their governing bodies but to the entire world. Attempts have been made to suppress news with limited success. Modern inventions such as TV, radio, cell phones and the Internet, Facebook and the like spread the news vigorously as well as speedily. The revolutions multiplied encompassing a considerable territory of unrest, exploited citizens, poverty, inhumanity, unemployment and tyranny.
Youth and adults, armed with cell phones, Facebook, sticks and stones, made their demands known. Regimes were threatened and retaliated, at times vigorously. The end is not yet in sight which could take considerable time, energy, intervention, negotiation and compromise. The world, armed with a conscience, holds it breath, unable yet to breathe a sigh of relief.
But we ask, should we care? We are hardly neighbors. We don't know many of their citizens. We don't know some of their leaders with names like Boutefilka, Abidina Ben Ali, Al Khalifa and Saleh, unlike Gaddafi and Mubarak. But they have oil we say. And some do. Yet they are human beings and should be treated humanely. And although far away, they are our brothers and sisters with bodies, souls, minds and emotions.
Hopefully, the Spring Revolution, now entering into Autumn, will soon bloom again, with better and smarter leaders, with fewer guns and intimidation, with more jobs and better education, and above all, a greatly improved moral and spiritual integrity. Since most share a similar faith, this should rise to the occasion. Indeed, it must. 8/2011
September 11, 2001 A day to remember is also an unforgettable day. At the time we were living in Arizona when our phone rang. Our son living in Illinois called telling us to turn on our TV. We did and shortly we witnessed the second plane plunging into the ill-fated tower. Today “nine eleven” has taken on a new meaning, sad but true.To many of us it is inconceivable that human beings could be capable of such a felonious feat, premeditated, suicidal and murderous. Now that ten years have passed, memories have lingered, unforgettable and for not a few, unforgivable. True, we have often been admonished to forgive and forget which may not only be difficult if not impossible for many.
After the horrific carnage, the tragic loss of human life, the sobering realization that such warped minds do exist, life must go on but for many it will never be the same. The complications which followed and continue to this day have been incredible, and understandably so. Even so, many of us fail to comprehend the agony, misery and complexity involved which includes justice, recompense, reconstruction of lives and property as well as attempting to reassure that this kind of terrorism will be given the utmost attention to discourage future carnage.
The question of memorializing such an insidious event staggers the imagination. We who are distanced from the locale may not have the right nor desire to become involved although we should be concerned. We have been asked to fly our flags on 9/11 which many of us will do. We have wondered why it has taken so long to make a collective decision on where, when, what, why and who?
Should we rebuild, bigger and better? Should we rebuild elsewhere if possible to create a memorial park? Should we expedite commemoratives coterminous to the occasion? Should we include or exclude a religious shrine or structure; if so, should it be singular or pluralistic? As this is written, there is discussion why no religious personage is included in the preliminary format for the New York commemoration.
With so many nations involved in this unbelievable carnage, it is hardly a local tragedy. This also compounds the agonizing facing the brave souls who have led the cause in the aftermath of such a monumental dastardly deed. Just how do we do justice in remembering the victims, villains, heroes and those who grieve?
As a believer in God Almighty, I have assurance that those who not only support, instigate and perpetuate these kinds of transgressions will not be overlooked by the One who is both omniscient (all knowing), supreme, and the ultimate Judge. They too will not be forgotten -- nor granted immunity. Their commemoration although possibly intangible is inescapable. 9/2011
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The Dinner Table When I was a kid, we had supper as our evening meal, all seven of us, usually. Now many if not most call it dinner but we had Sunday dinner at noon when we ate on our best china in the dining room, not kitchen. Times change.We had one radio, one telephone, one car and I began piano lessons on a cardboard keyboard. Really? Really. The other morning I couldn't sleep. For some reason my mind went back and I laid there wondering how all seven of us slept in four bedrooms. My dim memory said that the guest bedroom was strictly for guests so we only had three at our disposal. I called my kid sister (one year younger) and she informed me that she and her little sister shared the guest room, the twins had their own bed room and so did I. The guest room was no longer “sacred.”
Not long ago, experts reminded us that knowledge then doubled every ten years. But recently I heard that it only takes 2.5 years now. No wonder we have so many specialists in so many areas.
A growing concern seems to be expanding about as fast as knowledge. A study just surfaced about how automated commercial airline piloting has become inviting a concern that commercial (and possibly other) pilots are getting out of practice except for takeoffs and landings. But when something goes amiss, pilots are not always sure what to do as so much has been automated.A medical doctor from a far away country was spending a year in Sweden honing his skills where the Swedes had excelled. He lamented the fact that he now had so much free time that he was getting rusty. He said he had too many weeks of vacation and weekends off, plus sick leave and other time off that he was not only bored but losing his touch. Add to that skilled robotic automation potentialities relieving humans. Is it really happening?
Now hear this: “A new survey by Gartner [whoever that is] found that 24% of users said they don’t access their preferred social media outlet as much as they used to. Despite this, younger more tech-inclined users are using social media even more, and they made up 37% of Gartner’s sample.” Ancient as I am, I am constantly amazed as I watch youngsters (and those not so young) on their cell phones. Everywhere. They used to talk more but now the rage seems to be texting.
So? There are those who are concerned because social conversational skills may be declining. Couple this with iPad and iPods, tablets and the like, plus diminished time spent at mealtime (dinner, supper, lunch, breakfast), there just might be a concern.
Am I making a point? I am. I would very much like to see more families gathered around a table at as many mealtimes as possible where the art of conversation matures (but no cell phones, iPads, TV). Is that asking too much? 9/2011
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A Slippery Slope The following came across my desk anonymously. Yes, I knew who sent it but not who wrote it. Sorry. A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.”From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship."
The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years,these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
From bondage to...... spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to... great courage;
From courage to....... liberty;
From liberty to..... abundance;
From abundance to.... complacency;
From complacency to....... apathy;
From apathy to........ dependence;
From dependence back into... bondage.Since the USA has been in existence since 1776 (235 years), we have done a little better than some nations but not as well as others. It is anyone's guess where we are on the graph above, or when we will, if ever, cease to exist as a strong, viable nation.
One of the major concerns facing our country today is its enormous debt. This is difficult to fathom but the graphs below put it into a perspective in 2011 that is much more understandable (and worrisome). Look:
“U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000
New debt: $1,650,000,000,000
National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
Recent budget cut: $38,500,000,000Let's remove 8 zeros and pretend it's a household budget:
Annual family income: $21,700
Money the family spent: $38,200
New debt on the credit card: $16,500
Outstanding balance on the credit card $142,710
Total budget cuts: $385It is difficult to understand one million, tougher to grasp one billion, and almost impossible to comprehend one trillion. But the sooner we fathom this the better. If we ran our homes, schools, businesses in a similar fashion, we would do something serious about it. Perhaps because of our unfathomable grasp of our national debt, we may be blindsided and not know it. Could this happen?
9/2011
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Noah's Ark Dan asked me, a scientist, to comment on Noah's Ark. Somewhat reluctantly, I consented. My name is Mike, and I have advanced degrees in math and geology. Therefore, there are sciences of which I am not an expert.Dan no doubt views it differently than I do but let's move on. First of all, if something sounds unusual, it's worth investigating. The Flood and the Ark are ancient, but unfortunately, non-verifiable historical episodes. It is quite unlikely that the world has ever had an earth-wide flood, and the ark, more like an enclosed barge or raft, would be unlikely considering the era and terrain.
True, huge floods have been recorded, but nothing of that scope. Furthermore, if all species of animals, birds and other creatures living at the time were on board, it is quite unlikely that a single family could round them up, provide food for one year, maintain decorum and cleanliness all in an unstable vessel.
I'll have to admit, however, that the dimensions are quite similar to sea-going vessels today. Good wood covered with pitch inside and out could endure the tests of one year, and the chance of landing at a higher elevation somewhere seems quite possible. Whoever told the story was no ignoramus.
Frankly, I lean toward the story as a story told with an underlying mission. Call it fiction or a metaphor but not an actuality. And I could justify its inclusion in the Bible. After all, the Bible has no quarrel with storytelling, poetry, history, mysticism, genealogy or correspondence. Dan ol' boy, that's my take on The Ark.Thanks, Mike (a fictional character). I appreciate your wit and wisdom. Since I am not a scientist, hardly even a theological engineer, I must rely on the evidence on hand. The Bible has been translated and retranslated over and over, more so than any other piece of literature but has also been blessed with a remarkable amount of ancient copies of near original writings.
I would also add that yes, there was a definite reason for the story of the destructive Flood, an Ark and Noah, a recognized righteous man, rare for this era. Besides, evil had gone rampant even to the point where God had to deal with it. Were God, the supernatural, divine power in the universe, not involved, I too would doubt the story.
God gave Noah the blueprint and provided the wherewithal to build the Ark. God also had to help round up provisions and creatures for survival. And He designed the Ark so it would float flawlessly and kept all disease, accidents and death from happening. So, Mike, my friend, without the supernatural, it no doubt would not have occurred.
One more thought, Mike, do you suppose God could have given all the occupants the gift of hibernation? Wouldn't that be something? My friend, I'll have to admit that believing in the supernatural does make a difference, doesn't it? 9/2011
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Science Without Faith A leading magazine recently included a topic How Science Can Lead the Way: What we lose when we put faith over logic. Naturally that caught my eye so I read it. Twice. The author has also written Knocking on Heaven's Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World. This I have not read.The two of course reinforce each other. Now I will admit that science does give us some insights that otherwise may not be known. They can be most helpful if true; but if still in the investigative stage, yet given as irrefutable facts when they may not be so, can be misleading. Ironically, the author's title of the book, if more than a glance is given, is unfortunate. Really? How physics and scientific thinking illuminate the universe suggests the way it is titled that physics may not be scientific thinking.
Oh well. We probably know what was meant. Adding the word other for instance physics and [other] scientific thinking would have made it more clear. Then, there is that word 'faith' which seems in this instance to mean organized religion, not trust, duty or sincerity (as in good faith). Or faith as the evidence of the unseen, so necessary for scientists and theologians.
Science, meaning good science, often deals with the unseen, the unknown, the bygone which also means that it is possibly incomplete. To illustrate, scientists are divided on climate change as to its cause, its future, it cyclical patterns and even its cure. To make the proper decision to lessen or eliminate unwanted climate change takes faith as well as a portfolio of facts that could possibly be sprinkled with a few fictions.
Science without faith is an oxymoron (e.g. like a definite maybe). The two are inextricably interwoven even though this is not always a scientific consensus. Science is not flying blind. Rather, it is science guided by belief, assurance, credibility, fidelity and word of honor (all synonyms of faith). Antonyms include mistrust, treachery and unfaithfulness unfortunately seen in both science and theology. When these synonyms do not permeate science, beware.
Frankly, science does play a strategic role in society. At times it is forced to change its view or abandon it entirely which is understandable. Regrettably, this doesn't always happen but the right kind of scientific faith would insist on it.
One final comment. If the author meant religion, not faith, that is quite different. Granted, some religions, faiths, beliefs and believers do hinder both science and faith which is regrettable. It would also be sublime if pseudo-scientists did not exist but that is hardly the case.
In short, science needs faith, a lot of it, to do its job well. It would be much wiser to put logic with faith, not over it. The two are inseparable but not incompatible. 10/2011
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Serfdom A popular journal wrote This powerful idea, that every type of centralized authority is a deadly threat to democracy and freedom, is always timely, but it was especially important coming, as it did, towards the end of a Depression and a War which had seen most of the democracies come to increasingly depend on just such centralization. To the extent that Hayek was responsible for sounding the alarm against complaisance in the face of the rise of the mammoth Social-Welfare State, he must be considered one of the most significant political philosophers of the Century. We ask, could this really happen again?Nobel-prize economist Friedrich A. Hayek wrote The Road to Serfdom which will not be reviewed here. It is heavy reading, impossible to condense effectively, so we will be bold and merely “scratch the surface” to see if his concerns may be pertinent today, some 67 years after it was written.
His major concern is that serfdom basically is a state of subjugation to an owner or master [or government]. He observed what was happening to Europe in particular how democracy evolved into socialism and then fascism and totalitarianism. This was evidenced most dramatically in Germany, Italy and Russia.
Those totalitarian states underwent dramatic changes from democratic to despotic governing which took some years of brutal warfare (not civil wars) to undo some of the damage. We might say so what else is new? Hayek and others did not say let bygones be bygones because they saw what was also actually going on in both Britain and the United States even before the '40s.
This is what prompted The Road to Serfdom in 1944 because he saw similarities to what was happening early in Europe before the fascist regimes existed. Some of these signs may be even more developed elsewhere today which unfortunately may not be fully fathomed in 21st century democratic forms of governance. Hayek mentioned many symptoms of this kind of governing evolution. We'll briefly mention a few.
Excessive regulation doesn't work. A stimulus only stimulates the deficit. Nothing beats the free market. Redistributive schemes assume knowledge that doesn't exist. Government cures often lead to further disease. Competition must not be stifled. Excessive planning often leads to centralized power. Centralized power usually rewards the ruthless. Economic security is not a guarantor of freedom. . .
One more paraphrase: the contrast between the “we” and “they” is consequently employed by those who seek the allegiance of huge masses. With an increasingly centralized governance of both state and national entities, an incredibly increasing debt, high unemployment, attempts to control methods of communication, secretive sessions and the short-circuiting of existing laws may be signs of evolving from one form of governing into another, often unrealized by the masses who eventually must be subordinated into serfdom for this potential kind of governing to work.
Could we possibly be moving in that direction? Perhaps it is time to explore history and current events more deeply than ever, not less. Remember, Hayek wrote in 1944, not 2011. 10/2011
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Wishful Thinking Halloween and Christmas actually have one thing in common: wishful thinking. When trick or treat fails to work, little ones are disappointed. Same with Christmas.The other day I received a letter entitled “The End of the American Dream.” Oh oh, I thought. That better not be true. It was indeed pessimistic: “Record deficits. Dysfunctional government. Skyrocketing food prices. A plunging dollar. Gold headed for $2,000 an ounce . . .”
But it went on: “It's dead wrong!” It continued informing me how I can use this miscalculation to my advantage. By now you've probably guessed right. It is an appeal to subscribe to a special report, a secret weapon which I could ignore at my own risk.
Then it wrote about “millionaire makers.” It suggested that Microsoft never saw Google coming which in turn was blindsided by Facebook. But that's what Game Changers do. They outflank their competition before the big dogs notice them. Then it said “I love Apple” but suggested I buy a stock, a little gem, that will give Apple a run for its money.
Little stocks vs. big stocks. Sound familiar? It continued touting smartphones, bigger than PCs, TVs and game systems. I read on about paper vs. plastic and some advice to get my head into The Cloud while reminding me that that it is already where my head is except I just don't know it. Migrate to Cloud Computing! But why if I am already there?
Then we went on to personalized medicine telling me how to kill cancer by starving it but I will have to wait because that drug is still in Phase III but it didn't say how many phases there are. And that is something I really ought to know. Then we went to the possibilities in China where there is an explosion in economic prosperity with increased governmental spending projected—now get this—they have an investment that will grow 25% for ten years. In fact, if I get into the unparalleled pipeline stocked with at least eight new drugs plus insight game-changing biotech winners in a new report, FREE.
Free? That's what it said until I turned the next pages. That's where I found out what free meant. I was informed that I didn't have to settle for Wall Street's table scraps and its measly 5%, 8% or even a mere 10% per year. In fact, I was promised that I could double my money watching my stocks go up as much as 22% in a day, or 60% in a week or 4,000% in ten years. For free?
Then the writer said “I was a millionaire by age 30 and retired at the age of 37. But then, I wondered, why was I asked to spend $199 or $349 just to get a bunch of free reports plus know-how if I act right away. Somehow, I remembered that old adage that “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't.” Unfortunately, I may not live long enough to know that had I indulged I'd be rich but that's a chance I took. 11/2011
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Evaluation All of us go about our business making evaluations. It's a fact if not a way of life, for good or ill. Recently a report came out about high school graduates who are unfit for college. Makes one wonder how many received Pass or Fail marks, not grades. Maybe no one gets graded that way nowadays. The typical evaluation of A B C D F is a better indicator.Then there are those who evaluate on the basis of Good, Better and Best. Sounds good but does not allow for poor or miserable performances. Then there is the bottom line. By that I mean the lowest point before failure occurs. Some say it should be 50%, other naysayers suggest or insist on 70% or more.
Recently I talked to a distraught mother whose son teaches high school and was awarded with five classes: 3 with 80 students, 2 with 60. Without any assistance. Why? The system is nearly bankrupt. A nearby school she said has 30 fewer teachers than ten years ago. I was reminded when I was a substitute teacher and experienced the typical attempts to intimidate the novice/newcomer but with far fewer students.
I remember so well and that was decades ago. I had the pesky students take out a sheet of paper. They were told not to sign their names but to describe one of their classmates. I hovered over them making sure they wrote something. I then read some of these essays asking the class who was described. They correctly guessed everyone. Not much later, a paper airplane zoomed from nowhere striking the blackboard.
Immediately I told them to take out another sheet of paper. Then I had them each make an airplane. We opened the window and they threw them out to see which one went the farthest. The winner was the class ringleader. His assignment was to go out and collect all the missiles.
My three weeks were soon over and the teacher returned after surgery so I was relieved. When Spring came, I was unexpectedly asked to go with the senior class on its field tip as a chaperon. It was a delightful experience which I have never forgotten. I literally loved those kids and was honored how they evaluated me after what some would say was a weird start.
Frankly, I suppose many teachers would prefer teaching but skip the grading. In a perfect world, that might work. Evaluation is a mandatory part of life and most of us ought to give it our best shot. If not, the results would be far less than favorable. We may not use a piece of paper to change attitudes but there are countless ways to do it, some doubtless far better.
Frankly, I don't remember how much I struggled giving grades, making those awesome decisions between a plus and a minus, a passing grade vs. that dreadful failure. When the regular teacher returned, my task, good or bad, was over. I never looked back until that phone call arrived with the invitation to be a chaperon. 11/2011
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Population Growth Studies have been made of when the human race began, how fast it grew, and when it first reached one billion. A recent article in Time magazine suggested that the head count of the 7th billion person would be reached on October 31, 2011. No doubt this is a scientific guesstimate (if I may use that expression) as well as its suggested date of the origin of the homo sapiens.This study suggested that the first billion mark was reached in 1804 and it only took 123 years to reach two billion. The chart continued revealing that population growth was taking fewer and fewer years to reach another billion: 1959, 3 billion; 1974, 4 billion; 1987, 5 billion, 1998, 6 billion, in 1998. Imagine. What if this trend would continue to diminish?
The estimate is that in 2011 it would hit 7 billion,; then 14 years to reach 8 billion and another 18 years to reach 9 billion by 2043 when the graph ended. Other studies, no doubt similar, estimate that the population explosion diminishes from then on (possibly 2050) due to various factors including lower fertility rates, concern for resources, rising economies and demographic nuances offsetting inequities. If so, population explosion worries may not be as grave but a population explosion could be worrisome.
Whether mandates will continue urging or compelling one-child families remains to be seen. Other factors beyond our ability to determine such as Mother Nature rampages on land, sea and in the air could affect populations as well as epidemic disease and unwelcome plagues, war, homicide and infanticide. Predictability is of course unpredictable.
In a world of haves and have nots (to use that terminology), survival is often not a respecter of persons as the impoverished often lack the wherewithal to survive much less flourish. The exploitation of land and sea could become even more of a problem in the future as well. Well-meaning environmentalists plus an overreaching greediness in various ascendancies could well impede population prosperity. At best, challenges await the up-and-coming generations as well as the present inhabitants of our ever-increasingly shrinking global society.
Moving from an agricultural society into an urban culture seemingly in such a short span of time boggles the mind (or at least it should).The increase of the millions inhabiting many cities around the globe is an amazing phenomenon posing unique challenges for tomorrow. Transportation, communicative specialties unknown a generation or two ago, and enormous regulatory documents (often unread and/or are unfathomable) could hinder more than help the populous.
As a retired clergyman, I marvel at the brevity but comprehensive ingenious of the all too often maligned document known as the Ten Commandments. Contrary to some initiates, the wisdom contained in these tablets originally etched in stone is universal, not provincial. It, if practiced, could well serve either a shrinking or expanding population as it would provide guidelines that are either missing or misused in urban or rural communities all over the globe. These, yes, are principles, commands, mandates, not options or suggestions.
At least this could be a starting place for a humanity of haves and have nots, and at best, a solution to problems of population growth or decline. 11/2011
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Santa Claus The expression saint has at one time been reserved for persons who have been recognized for certain excellencies in their personal lives. Usually given posthumously after death has caught up with them. These individuals were unaware of this distinction and many presumably, although honored, would not feel worthy of the title.However, the term has loosened up a bit, quite a bit at times, and is employed in various capacities giving a distinctive to not only persons but places and things. A well-mannered old timer might be addressed as a saint but could indeed be anything but saintly. We call institutions and churches and cemeteries St. So-and-so with ease. Benefactors may be known as saints as well but whose motives may have been anything but saintly. It is an interesting definition yet ironically not something one strives to attain, but rather has it bestowed upon him or her by others.
Our family had the pleasure of spending a week together in a village in the mountainous regions of Europe. While wandering on one of the main streets, we peered into the window of a shop which was selling statues. Upon looking further, we discovered St. Barbara. Since my wife is named Barbara, it came as a surprise as we are not experts on saints and didn't know there was a St. Barbara. Although we looked further in the window, we didn't find a St. Daniel or even a St. Dan but there may be one out there but for sure it isn't me.
The name St. Nick (Nicholas) certainly evokes a feeling for many who have no inkling who St. Nick was or is except as a pseudonym for Santa Claus. But then, how many know the origin of Santa Claus? We'd recognize him usually by his garb and white whiskers and on a still night his ho ho ho perhaps. Was Santa named Santa (St.) Claus because he was or is a saint? Presumably that is true. A jolly, benevolent, welcomed figure at this time of year is revered as a saint. We were with our grandkids and their parents when a jolly ol' red-suited gentlemen insisted that we grandparents get into the picture along with the parents which we did, even sitting on his lap.
No, I am not going to get into the origin or history of Mr. Claus and the Mrs. or the origin of bell ringers with red pots-with-a-slot-on-top or beautifully lit trees or meaningful creches. Nor will we discuss or debate Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas addressing the season. Frankly, I enjoy Christmas along with zillions who enjoy the festivities that invade the dark and often dreary winter. But I am also happy that I not only sat on Santa's lap as a grandpa but that I have knelt at the feet of the Babe from Bethlehem who not only is celebrated but forgives and blesses both grandkids and grannies -- and all who recognize who that infant was and what he became. And above all, why!
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