From the Stacks … November 6th, 2020

This week, most of us are considering the notion that sometimes political outcomes have a stark affect on our lives. So I decided to explore some of Jonathan’s more socio-political ideas. He had a great disdain for politics but also a great hunger for justice–which sometimes required that he speak out on such subjects. Here’s one from January, 2014.

But Not Now

Everybody knows this is true: the main reason that government doesn’t work is that it avoids solutions by replacing them with discussions.

I wish I could tell you that conversing on a given subject brings about change. It does not. It is actually a way to dodge the work of transformation.

It usually shows up in the form of putting off the action.

This is not new. The ineffective nature of our government has been present since the beginning–how else could Adams and Jefferson have been such good friends? They tabled their issues. And how did they do it? What did they say to themselves?

“Something should be done–but not now.”

Here’s a quick list taken from my own memory banks:

1.In 1959 in the United States, the average white person contended that segregation was not ideal, but thought it was practical. In other words, they knew it was wrong–that black Americans should NOT be separate. Something should be done–but not now.”

2. Women should also be equal and have the identical pay scale as men. But not now.

3. Truthfully the minimum wage has never been sufficient for a human to be able to live, eat and prosper. Something should be done–but not now. It could wreck the economy.

4. Something should be done for the homeless–put them to work or offer alternatives to their present condition. But not now. It is much easier to discuss whether their condition is caused by lack of opportunity or by laziness.

5. It is obvious that gays and transgenders in our society must have complete equivalence if we want to maintain our concept of liberty and justice for all. But not now. What we want them to do is acquire moral acceptance before they are granted civil rights.

6. Political gridlock in our country is the result of a two-party system that gains power by maintaining power. We know we would be better off if this two-faced monster were beheaded, and many more candidates were offered to the electorate. But not now. Too disruptive to consider. Someone might lose that power they so enjoy.

7. Likewise, the electoral college is antiquated and needs to be replaced with the popular vote. But not now. What would we do with all the people who make their livelihood by honoring its cumbersome inner workings?

We don’t lack the intelligence or even the integrity to know what to do. But we nevertheless choose to be stalled in a lethargic fear of change.

The American government should take heed:

Americans are tired of discussions.

We are no longer willing to “table” justice and equality, which have been standing in the wings waiting to play their parts for lo, these many years.

It is time for America to grow up.

Maturity is when the truth of what must be done is more important than what is convenient.

Sensitize … August 31st, 2020

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If I know what I can do, I will do it.

But first, I have to really see it.

Every morning, Mr. Cring takes a personal moment with his friends.

Sit Down Comedy … August 7th, 2020

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“Let me think about it.”

In my youthful fervor, I was swelled with expectation when I heard him say this. Or was it her? Sometimes it was “they.”

Just realizing that after a long conversation in which I presented my case, that this human being was going to go off and think about it, kept the door open for a positive conclusion to what in the present moment seemed to be a looming negative.

“Thinking about it.”

Then the years passed.

I learned.

I discovered that no one thinks about anything.

How could we be thinking and still argue racism, gender bias, abortion, murder and supremacy of any type or any fashion?

How could we believe that human beings are musing over information—considering the results of “great debate” to draw conclusions—when we sit here on the verge of a Presidential election with basically the same statistics for the favored donkey or pet elephant that we had four years ago?

Are you trying to tell me that in four years nothing has changed to alter the consciousness of the American people whatsoever?

Or is it that we never really think about it?

Alas, alas…

The brain is a train that will not refrain until we all go insane.

You see, it’s been programmed.

By the time we are five years old, seventy percent of our mores, preferences, attitudes and fairness are already planted deep into our virgin brains by those who had been implanted themselves and don’t know what else to offer.

Intelligence is not our doorway to “peace on Earth, good will toward men.”

Education will leave us short of the need.

We are not capable of such a maneuver. This is why we purchase domesticated animals. They remind us what devotion looks like and tenderness feels like.

The brain cannot be renewed unless we learn to deal with our emotions—come clean with our feelings and allow for the possibility that the human soul could be the restoration area to feed the cranium with fresh insight.

The philosopher said, “I think, therefore I am.”

I’m sorry.

I think, therefore I am too predictable.

What makes us ablaze with potential, on fire with creativity and ignitors of legitimate love is allowing our feelings to be real, our soul to refine those sensations, renewing the brain to do something other than grump out the usual response.

 

Sensitize … July 15th, 2020

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Every morning, Mr. Cring takes a personal moment with his friends.

Today: In 1909 the NAACP was founded, and nobody tried to change it to the NAAAP. Listen up.

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1 Thing That Explains Everything … July 13th, 2020

Jonathots Daily Blog

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Justice

Although we are glib—chattering on about liberty and justice for all—we discover quickly that one of these offerings is fairly simple and the other, painful.

Granting liberty is not difficult whatsoever.

You can give people liberty without ever having to interact with them or put up with their behavior. There can even be liberty in the midst of segregation and bigotry, as long as they express their freedom on the other side of the tracks.

It’s justice that clogs the drain.

The idea of equal reaction and equal respect being given to all is brutal—because many believe that happiness and the true expression of liberty is in bettering all and besting most.

What would it be like to sacrifice an inheritance of privilege and favoritism so that the fellow down the road in the rickety house can be treated even-steven?

How can we ever have people who are automatically determined to be criminal—just by their demeanor, color, clothing and address—if justice interferes and she blindly overlooks all these considerations?

If you get justice, I will have less.

No doubt about it.

There isn’t an unlimited supply of justice—it is doled out in tiny capfuls, like medicine, and must be carefully regulated. Otherwise there is the danger of giving too much to one, too little to another and leaving a final soul untreated.

Yet unquestionably and righteously, until justice rides into town and is perceived and possessed by all, nothing is truly achieved, leaving everything addled.

Sensitize … July 8th, 2020

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Every morning, Mr. Cring takes a personal moment with his friends.

Today: What to do about the bar fights? Cring wraps it up.

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Sensitize … July 6th, 2020

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Every morning, Mr. Cring takes a personal moment with his audience.

Today: Cring reminds us:  Earth didn’t come to us–we came to Earth.

Understanding this helps us avoid disappointment.

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