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Monthly Archives: February 2013

Scouting?


Let’s talk about the Boy scouts , et al. Any group or organization that is public can determine their membership qualifications. If these qualifications, after listing their qualifications for years can discriminate against potential members who through an act of birth then this organization is bound for the downfall of the self-righteous. Gaiety has no basis in the “assumption” of a life style by choice. It is a condition (for lack of a better description) that exists from conception and comes to fruition at various times of life due to peerages and work pressures. In modern times (2000’s) the pressures have been all but eliminated as most rational people accept and understand that the world is composed of multiple ethnicities, life styles, races and personal preferences. the BSA organization in spite of having “gay” scout masters and possibly members has recently removed the denial of “gays” in scouting. Being gay has nothing to do with a love of the outdoors and other scouting activities. This is about as ridiculous as the controversy and conversations about gays and women in the military. A life has value in what ever career one choses as long as that career contributes to society as a whole in taxes paid , products and ideas produced. These deeds have nothing to do with personal choices. These are the acts of primarily everyday people doing what they want and what is required by a normal society. Paraphrasing a line from a comedy show “THERE is nothing wrong with that”.

Aging and Wisdom


Unfortunately aging brings certain wisdom through ( gasp) experience. These experiences  are sometimes not so memorable or worth remembering yet we use the lessons learned  to impart seemingly sage advice with often no  regard as to applicable use.  I personally  strive to couch my “advice” in my own experience  along with perceivable outcomes or endings. Even experience is vastly over or under rated depending on your viewpoint. The assorted viewpoints are what color  experience’s impact. Age on the other hand many times allows a long look back on personal and shared experience creates a unique perspective that  becomes advice. I think the worst part is the avoidance of final arrangements. The last arrangements when done at the very end are not as well done as they could be and a tremendous burden on the remaining family. Future arrangements are a lot easier but still no one likes to talk about it. It is easy now to make arrange ments and purchase a policy that will take care of the “arrangements”. Thing you need to do:

1. Gather pictures of your self or spouse

2. Be sure all papers for the services are done and done the way you want (not someone else)

3.   You can in modern times make arrangement years before your expected demise.

Take the advice of an old guy, make the arrangements while the price is low (age makes a difference) and make it easy for your family. Points about Illinois, you have to be embalmed within 3 days if you plan on burial, In Illinois you need to have a concrete vault that the box (coffin, casket, etc) has to rest in. This may go against the grain of many but cremation allows for a smaller amount paid out for services and you can spread the remains anywhere that is appropriate and the remains (cremains is the actual term) can be distributed among the family members  (if they want them). This is not a morbid subject but more a proper way of approaching the death of a loved one. Think about this, even the gangsters pay due respect!!  

Safe Money?


1. Investment- an amount invested for profit

2. Invest-to commit money or capital in order to gain profit or interest.

3. Security-something deposited as assurance of the fulfillment of an obligation

Why are stocks and bonds called securities when the company handling the securities for you states that the investment is not secure?

Ugly Ducking?


In several of our country’s anthems we have the themes of  the spacious skies, the majesty of the mountains  and other topical features that make this country beautiful. These  songs and lyrics apply primarily to the land and not the people who live on it. Could it be after 200 plus years of struggle we as people are still just ugly ducklings?