Don't Boo - Vote

Don't Boo - Vote

As Americans what is it that we don't have enough of? My answer is: "Love Sweet Love." Yes, we all would like more "Stuff." Yes, we would like everybody to live above the poverty level. Yes, we would like to feel safe. Yes, we would like to not worry about our Children and our Children's Children. 

I could go on and on, but I believe we focus on those things more than we should. The reason I say that is because if we put "Love Sweet Love" first, those things could come true.

Even those in poverty have food to eat, air to breathe and shelter. They don't live as great a life as I do, but those who feel the love have every bit of what I have. Yes, I have more "stuff" than them, but they could have as much or even more love than I have.

We see this around the world. What's wrong with the world is hatred. What's wrong with the world is anger. What's wrong with the world is negative attitudes. That can all change if the world had "Love Sweet Love."

We can't force people to love. We will never in our lifetime stop people from hating, getting angry or seeing the world through negative eyes. Sooo, the only solution is through ourselves. 

The first step is loving ourselves. The second step is loving others even if they don't deserve our love. You shouldn't do that for them, you should do that for you. Believe me, you will be happier and more loved if you love them unconditionally.

I know this sounds like psychobabble bullshit, but ask yourself, when was the last time hating others made your life better? When was the last time being angry made your life better? When was the last time seeing only the negatives around you made you happier? If you're truly honest the answer is NEVER!

I'm an optimist. I believe if we do the two steps stated above, the world will get better. Even if I'm wrong, I can guarantee you your life will get better. I believe love will change America and the world. Probably not in my life time, but remember our Children see the world through us. Seeing love will create love. 

Hatred, anger and negative energy has been passed down to the Children of Terrorists. Don't you think that if some or all of these Terrorists broke the chain and gave the love described above, the world would be a better and safer place? 

Waiting for Terrorists to change is the wrong approach. Why not first start with ourselves. I assure you that if we did so, America would be a better place. It might take generations, but it will happen. Over time the negative people will be overwhelmed by the loving people. If we go the other way, shame on us. 

There is an election coming up in America. There is a clear difference in the way the two Candidates see the world.  This is our chance to decide. As our President just said:

Don't Boo - Vote

Something Needs To Be Done

Something Needs To Be Done

Unless you're on Mars you've read or heard about the conflict between African Americans and the Police. Police shooting Blacks - Blacks shooting Police. This is not the America I love. Something Needs To Be Done!

Unless you're from Mars you've heard of the super star basketball player, Michael Jordan. Today, Jordan made a fantastic statement and put his money where his mouth is. Below is what Jordan said and did:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Michael Jordan is trying to help ease tension between African-Americans and law enforcement.

The NBA great and Charlotte Hornets owner said Monday he is giving $1 million to the Institute for Community-Police Relations and $1 million to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The aim is to help build trust following several shootings around the country. 

"As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers," Jordan said in a statement. 

"I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I know their pain all too well."s
Jordan's father was killed in 1993 in a botched carjacking in North Carolina. Daniel Green and his friend Larry Demery were convicted of killing 56-year-old James Jordan along U.S. 74 and dumping his body in South Carolina. Both were sentenced to life in prison. 

"I was raised by parents who taught me to love and respect people regardless of their race or background, so I am saddened and frustrated by the divisive rhetoric and racial tensions that seem to be getting worse as of late," Jordan said in the statement. "I know this country is better than that, and I can no longer stay silent. We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment AND that police officers - who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all - are respected and supported." 
 
Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and became one of the most popular and respected basketball players in the world.
After retiring, he became the majority owner of the Hornets in 2010. 

"Over the past three decades I have seen up close the dedication of the law enforcement officers who protect me and my family," Jordan said. "I have the greatest respect for their sacrifice and service. I also recognize that for many people of color their experiences with law enforcement have been different than mine. I have decided to speak out in the hope that we can come together as Americans, and through peaceful dialogue and education, achieve constructive change."

Jordan said he chose the Institute for Community-Police Relations because its policy and oversight work is focused on building trust and promoting best practices in community policing. He gave to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the nation's oldest civil rights law organization, to support its work in support of reforms aimed at building trust and respect between communities and law enforcement. 

While Jordan said the contributions alone won't be enough to solve the problem, he added: "I hope the resources will help both organizations make a positive difference. We are privileged to live in the world's greatest country - a country that has provided my family and me the greatest of opportunities. 

"The problems we face didn't happen overnight and they won't be solved tomorrow, but if we all work together, we can foster greater understanding, positive change and create a more peaceful world for ourselves, our children, our families and our communities."


I support every word Jordan said. This country was built on working together to build a better today and a better future for the people and by the people. Although some Politicians don't feel this way, the hope of this great country is love thy neighbor and do what we can to live in a society where all men (and women) are treated equally. 

Something Needs To Be Done. The way that will happen is when:

All Of Us Support Those Beliefs With Our Words And Our Vote 

 

Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge

Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge

Albert Einstein

I was at our favorite bar last night and a friend quoted Albert Einstein saying: "Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge." I spent my entire life believing: "knowledge is king." However, I also know that Einstein was a genius, sooo, if he said that imagination is more important, who am I to question. 

But, now that I think about it, almost all of the technology we have today comes from people who have or had an unbelievable imagination. They see the world as it could be not what it is today. They make shit up and then get other people to create it. Almost all famous artists create with their imagination not with their knowledge.

I worked for a Corporation (Xerox) who, at that time, had a "not invented here attitude." You had to have the facts (knowledge) to get someone to listen to your idea. That attitude left little room for employees to be creative. 

There were so many barriers (executives, finance, manufacturing, etc.) for a great idea to get developed that some of the people left the company to create on their own. What did these people create? How about Adobe, the first PC and the Apple Macintosh. 

What do you think Xerox's net worth would be today if they owned all or part of those companies - A LOT MORE than they are worth today! 

I grew up with that company and had to leave because they frustrated me. However, they ingrained into my head that knowledge is king and having the facts was more important than using my imagination. I guess that's why I'm writing blogs for free (but I love it) instead of being rich.

I'm now much more of a believer that imagination is more important than knowledge. I can see better what things could be not just what they are today. 

For example, Uber is a company today that gives rides to people using their Mobil App. The idea was and is very creative and they are worth a shit load of money. But, let's not stop there (today). Their biggest expense is their drivers. Ten years from now they won't need drivers because they will use autonomous cars that drive themselves. Think of how much they will be worth then.

I love creative people. I love technology. I love the kind of world it will create in the future. Being in computers my entire working life I've seen how technology has improved people's lives. Yes, there is a downside, but there were a lot less accidents before cars were created, however, would any of us give up our cars today and commute by horse and buggy?

I DON'T THINK SO!!!

I Love Southern California

I Love Southern California

I'm sitting at my computer thinking about what blog I'm going to write when I realize it's July 18th, it's a sunny day around seventy five degrees. I also realize I live ten minutes from the beach and get the breeze coming off the ocean when I walk the dog at around 3PM.

I feel so spoiled, but I also believe I deserve it. You see, I grew up in Philadelphia where July 18th was really hot and muggy. You didn't have to press your shirt before you went out because the humidity would do the job for you. Oh yea, I could drive to the beach, but that was over an hour away in Atlantic City.

Then, for business, I moved to Rochester New York. I lived there one year, one month and one day. When I arrived at the end of September it was sunny for ten days and then it rained and snowed until May 5th. One hundred and twenty six inches of snow that year - UGH!!. Wow, where was Global Warming when I needed it. The summers also sucked so when I moved back to Philadelphia I thought I was in heaven.

One day my boss asked me to come to a meeting in Southern California. They put me up at the Redondo Beach Inn. It was December 12. The morning before the meeting I was nude looking out on the beach and Pacific Ocean in eighty degree weather. I asked myself: "most of the people I'm going to meet live around here. This isn't a vacation place - people actually live here. 

That was it! I told myself I'm moving to Southern California. Forty years later I'm still here and still appreciating every day. I'm sure people who live elsewhere believe where they live is the best. I know when I was back east we used to joke that Southern California people were summer hummers. They had no work ethic; they were brainless and just went through life humming away.

Wow was I wrong. If you're retired or you work where you can avoid the traffic or you're homeless, this is the place to be.  I've always said: Happiness is where you make it, but:

It Wouldn't Hurt If You Found That Happiness In Southern California.

Sex, Drugs And Rock And Roll

Sex, Drugs And Rock And Roll

I'm a product of the fifties and sixties. I was managing six people at a major corporation in 1965. I got married in 1964. I had two children before 1969. I went to college (night school) for six years starting in 1965. My back went out in 1969.

Therefore, I miss the best times of Sex. Drugs And Rock And Roll. The main thing I had then and still have today is the Rock And Roll.

I listen to my somewhat younger friends and family about the fun and somewhat scary times they had at the height of the Sex, Drugs and Rock And Roll era. They all have a big smile on their face when they describe what life was like during those times.

I grew up in a very old school family so I might not have participated even if I grew up then, but it sure would have been interesting, to say the least, if I could have lived through those times. Do I feel like I missed something great - you bet-um.

Today wild Sex with anyone willing has been replaced with love for the one I love most. Today I have no interest in wild Sex, but being a Sexual animal, even today, it sure would have been nice to have a bunch of notches on my bedposts back then.

Today Drugs include help with my high blood pressure, shrink my benign enlarged prostate, relieve pain from my bad back and help me poop regulatory. I missed out on the great Sex from taking Quaaludes (Ludes as they called them then). I missed out on going through College high on Pot. I missed out on getting stoned out of my mind on Cocaine.

Oh, sure, I smoked some Pot and sniffed some Cocaine, but I did that in my thirties and forties not in the hay day of Sex, Drugs And Rock And Roll. It's was a lot different at that age than the Cheech and Chong days. I missed out on the stoned out parties where everyone would come up to you and say: "what's up man."

Well the past is the past. I can't go back, sooo, I've had to find happiness in making wonderful love to my wonderful wife, being healthy, enjoying traveling, eating great food, being an intense football fan, laughing with my friends and the one thing I hung on to my whole life:

Loving Rock And Roll

Finally An Attack On Cancer

Finally An Attack On Cancer

Vice President Joe Biden recently announced that the United States will work with Pharmaceutical companies, Universities and other Scientists to make the fight against Cancer the equivalent of putting a man on the moon. I say: what the hell took so long?

We went to the moon July 20th, 1969. Since then we have created a space station in space, landed on the moon, landed on Mars, crashed landed on an asteroid, flown past the outer regions of space and went into orbit around Jupiter. Now we're talking about mining the moon and building a colony on Mars. I say, WHAT ABOUT CANCER?

Not only have we spent and will continue to spend billions, but many, many scientists are being used to make space exploration a reality. Listen, I'll be the first to tell you that if they would let me, I would love to go into space. However, being seventy one years old and watching friends, family (my sister died of Cancer at fifty four) and renounced scientists die of Cancer, I have to ask: what the hell are our government's priorities?

At least this President believes the fight against Cancer is a priority. What did we get from the moon - to show off Russia that we are the big dog not them and a few rocks? Did that really make our lives better? In my opinion, curing all kinds of Cancer before anyone else will not only give America boasting rights, it will show the world that America puts its people first. 

The benefits of curing Cancer far outweigh the benefits of space. Our health care system is broken because of Cancer. The money the Government spends on Medicare Cancer patients is as much as going to Mars (cure Cancer first and then we all can go to Mars). The cost of insurance for the middle class is skyrocketing because of Cancer. Then there is the most important problem with Cancer - the toll on the individuals and families of people with Cancer. 

We think terrorism is our biggest problem - I say: Cancer is a bigger problem.

The question is will the next President and the Congress agree to continue Joe Biden's fight? I know we can't just throw money at the problem. However, the Vice President is working toward getting all scientists to share information, building a central database and fast tracking Cancer treatments and/or cures by the Pharmaceutical companies.

It's time the American people speak out about Joe Biden's fight. It's time the people question our Government's priorities regarding Cancer. It's time we cry out:

Screw Going To Mars - Fix Cancer First

Get Out The Prozac

Get Out The Prozac

The drug companies (Big Pharm) love all this terrorist shit. Big Pharm loves everything Donald Trump says that will make Americans scared that terrorist will kill us all, the Government is destroying American lives, Trade with other countries is ruining our economy, anyone not white is taking jobs away from the middle class and immigration has to be stopped or we all will die - Get Out The Prozac.

How can anyone not be depressed from all this negative energy coming from around the world and the extreme right wing in this wonderful country - Get Out The Prozac. 

Here is what I'm going to do:

*  I'm going to stop listening or reading negative news. I'm only going to read the Sports section of the newspaper. I'm not going to watch any of the news networks. I'm going to focus on the writings and the shows that make me happy. Sounds harsh, but I'm not going to let them depress me. Screw you Big Pharm.

*  I'm going to trust the Government, our Political system and the American people. Most people of the free world are living much better than many other people. The ones in America who don't live as well have food to eat, air to breathe and shelter. All the other stuff is not critical for someone's happiness.

*  I'm going to strongly believe that terrorists will never change the American way of life. I strongly believe good will always win over evil. 

*  I'm going to believe that as long as we have the precious right to vote, that even if the Government turns right in this election, the America people will fix it in the elections to come.

*  I'm going to love myself, my wife, my friends, my family, my dog and anyone else that gives me positive energy.

*  I'm going to focus on my happiness and the happiness of others. I'm going to do everything I can to share my happiness with others. The Universe gave me the capability to laugh. I'm going to focus on those things that make me laugh.


If you believe that what I'm going to do is not possible for you, then:

Get Out The Prozac