Being a man in 2013

I love this letter by John Ransom on advice for how to be / what is a man.

http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/johnransom/2012/12/25/on-being-a-man-n1473616

John writes "Firstly, God has put a special responsibility upon you to help and protect those weaker than yourself, those less fortunate than yourself and those in distress. The measure of a man is in how he meets these challenges. A good man treats those around him with kindliness and consideration especially under trying circumstances."

Responsibility. This is what separates a man and a boy. A man accepts that he has responsibilities that do not include me, me, me. And takes responsibility for his own actions. A man acts responsibly, in public and in private.

One of those responsibilities, as John points out, is protection of those weaker and less able. That is the kid being bullied, the special needs person who just wants to live their lives in dignity without being ridiculed, the elderly and the infirmed who deserve respect as human beings. The measure of difference between man and boy is such that a man does it out of kindness and compassion. A man protects those who need him not out of some hero swaggering reason. He does it because it is right to do so. A boy does it to make himself seem important.

To head off the feminist and women who would claim this ideal of manliness must mean I am misogynistic or a throwback to the days of female oppression. Neither is true. As John himself points out "It does not however mean the man is the boss of everyone. It consists of accepting the responsibility of making decisions, without any prejudice, for the good of your family; and then being accountable to God for the outcome."

Women are important in life and in the household. But a man, as head of household, does not abandon his family for selfish reasons. He does not leave a mother and children to fend for themselves. And he does NOT lord it over them. A marriage is a partnership and a family is a unit. A man will accept responsibility for tending to and protecting his family. A man understands that it is not "my word is law" in a household; he will do what is good for the family, not what makes him feel good about himself.

One of the probelms with the world today is that there are too many boys playing at being men and not enough role models for them to look up to. Celebrities who abandon their families and responsibilities, who offer up as models to young boys "ownership" of women and poor treatment and the axiom that toys make you happy. These are childish, un-manly activities. But this is what young boys see.

And they see childish boys in government acting in childish ways. NOT doing what is good for their "family" of constituents, NOT being men of responsibility, NOT looking out for the weaker ones (that is, those without the power these "men" in high office have).

If more men of honor and responsibility stepped up and offered true inspiration, perhaps this country and this world would take on a more positive hue.

Until then, it is up to pundits like John to point out the boy behavior of those who claim to be men so that the young can see the truth in their actions and NOT model themselves after such children.

Agree or disagree, it doesn't matter to me. So long as I get you to think, then all will be well.

Have a wonderful and happy 2013. Make a resolution to avoid the Spin and stop being sheep.

Charles

We need responsible people EVERYWHERE

(This is from Townhall's Conservative Cartoons of the Day.

THIS is what I have been talking about.

But its not just bozo politicians. It is the insipid nature of people who are frustrated, confused or apathetic who also need ot take some responsibility.

We wouldn't need government involvement in so many parts of our lives if people would just take responsibility for their lives and their situation.

Ah, forget it. Talking to you people about this is like talking to a wall. Except the wall might actually absorb some of what I say.

Have a . . . whatever day.

Charles

Fighting the stomach bug

Its a government conspiracy.

At least I wish it was, then I could have someone to blame. Really hard to blame a little unseeable virus for how bad I have been feeling the past two weeks. I think I'm getting over it and then it comes back. Being sick relaly sucks. Being sick without a job and health insurance sucks worse.

But I still am against this government run health insurance, one-payer, everyone gets it from cradle to grave BS.

There were sick people before insurance. There will be sick people long after the government crumbles and there is no insurance. You either suck it up and take care of yourself or you suck it up and pay a doctor for the visit. Thats the way it goes.

Take care of old people? You bet. Take care of children? No question. That is one of the founding principles this country is based upon. Taking care of those who cannot. And I don't care if you are a religious person or an atheist. The facts are the facts. The founding principles of this country were based on faith. Religious dictates were considered when the documents were written. It doesn't mean you have to be religious to follow them or believe in them or ascribe to them.

Thou shalt not steal.

A pretty simple concept. Yes, it is one of the ten commandments of the Jewish / Christian religions. And it is the foundation of law in many, many, many countries / cultures / communities. But you don't have to be religious to know its a pretty gfood idea not to steal. And the fact that there is punishment for disobeying this simple statement has nothing to do with religion.

For those who ARE religious, the punishment is meted out by God. But for those not big believers in the Big Guy, its the law and society who mete out this punishment.

But its still there. A fact. Plain as day. The principle this was founded on is religious in nature.

Get over it.

And get over yourself.

Having a moral compass is a good thing. If our leaders did NOT have a moral compass, they might do whatever the hell they want despite the people being governed don't want it. They might say things like "just let me explain it to you better" or "you can't know whats in a law until you let us pass it" or . . . oh wait, yea, they already do that.

Maybe that is why this country is in such disrepair. Not only are the governed a bunch of extremists and deniers of the basic founding principles of America, our leaders reflect this attitude. And that is on both sides of the so-called aisle.

Extreme religious proponents do not recognize the fact that America is not just for them. And extreme religious opponents do not recognize that fact that religion played a significant part in America's founding. And BOTH extremes do not recognize the fact that those of us (you know, the REAL 99%) who are note extreme are getting relaly pissed off at all of them.

Yes, President Obama and his Democratic allies in the rest of government have made really BIG mistakes. And one of their biggest is thinking that we are all so stupid we will let them keep doing all this stuff that is unraveling this country.

Also, the Republican establishment have and continue to make really BIG mistakes in thinking that we're just going to follow their extreme ranting. THEIR biggest mistake is not listening to the country as a whole - GOP, Dems and Independents . . . plus a slew of lesser known groups - which means that when they get their establishment guy on the ballot come November, Obama is going to stay in.

(I would love to think that all the Americans who a getting pissed off at both sides would actually go to the polling place in November and vote in NONE OF THE ABOVE. But not going to happen. They will either stay home of just go in and vote either party line or for the incumbents. People are generally listless and apathetic when it comes to elections. They don't really believe that their one little vote really matters. I wish I could get the whole country to read this little thing I wrote years ago about that, where one vote really has changed the course of history. But they won't. And the NONE OF THE ABOVE option really is just fantasy on my part.)

Anyway, thats all I have to say today. Stomach bug. Hate it. But as usual, you can disagree with me (on the bug, the insurance or the government) or you can agree with me (on all those things I just mentioned). Either way it doesn't matter to me personally. What does matter to me personally is that I want to try to get just ONE person to start thinking for themselves. To STOP BEING SHEEP and to AVOID THE SPIN (I have just got to get those bumper stickers made). If that happens it means there's hope. It means there can be real change starting. And not the empty words kind. But no matter. This is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles