Internet, the knowledge of the world awaits you

This week has been filled with research surrounding business and personal decision making. As the intensity subsided a bit, it occurred to me just how quickly I could find information on any given subject due to the Internet and google. I mean, Holy Cow! Being raised in an era when the local library was the center of knowledge and research was done by collecting piles of books, correlating the findings into something reasonably understandable and putting together all that information in a conclusive way. Phew! Today, we boot up the old computer, type something into the subject line, click and there is the world's knowledge passing before us. Common place for those younger than I but totally amazing to me. My thinking is this: That information had to be inputted into the web sites by someone. At least in the beginning. You couldn't really lay a keyboard onto the pages of a book and have it absorbed could you? Thousands upon thousands of people collectively placed our sciences, knowledge and history into the hands of all of us. Hour after hour, after hour, day after day, etc. An incredible feat accomplished by people from all walks of life. The Pyramids were almost impossible to build until the collective efforts of hundreds and probably thousands of people worked together. With the computer we didn't have to enslave anyone, at least that I am aware of. Reading about the seven wonders of the world is made much easier by the eighth wonder of the world: the Internet.
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Some of my research involved other countries and cultures: Likes and dislikes, freedoms and restrictions, comparisons of lifestyles. Obvious as it is to many of us, I was struck by exactly why there is such a drive in backward, third world cultures to improve their lot in life. That drive wasn't so apparent only a few decades ago. The reasoning is that those backward cultures had little idea what existed beyond their extremely limited view of the world. No wonder those countries that have totalitarian governments limit or completely outlaw the use of cell phones, Ipads and computers. With so many people, inputting information 24/7 into our collective resources those regimes have much to fear. Actually it's only a matter of time. Sadly they will not go quietly into the night. Case in point Syria. Maybe even the United States in some ways. But, conquer tyranny it will. The dams of ignorance are being knocked down and knowledge is flooding the world. I find that incredible still.

If only the Internet came with standards of civility and morals and all things good. We're still sorting that out aren't we?

Power over all of us

Oh, My Gosh! The more I look into finding the most powerful person in America, the more I find out about just how powerful he is. So much so that in the past few years alone he has changed the way we eat, how we drive our cars and how we raise our children. Not simply influenced mind you, but actually changed those things. Think about that for a minute...............................

All of that and so much more he's accomplished and I still haven't found out just where he hangs his hat at any given time. He's all over the place and pops up seemingly at will and random. Usually he brings change small or large to our daily lives. On top of that, once he's changed something, it almost never goes back to the way it was.

I think you can begin to see why I want to meet this guy. Why does he do all of these things? Just who does he think he is? When I find him maybe I can understand why he uses his power so much and how he got all that power in the first place. So much power in the hands of one person is kind of scary. I want to know if it is actually a conspiracy or quite another thing entirely. For the time being we all live under his rule. And we're supposed to be an example of individual freedom to the rest of the world. I do think I may be closing in though.

Charlie Sheen and Mohamar Khadaffi

With all due respect to everyone, Charlie Sheen and Mohamar Khadaffi sound very much the same: Out of touch with the real world. Talking as if the all of humanity must bow to their superiority. When the speak their eyes are wide open and sort of wild looking. They both exhibit completely unpredictable behavior. They are both making totally ridiculous demands. They both think they are irreplaceable. They both believe everyone either does or should love them. They both seem to be delusional in every way. The difference is that what Mr. Khadaffi does affects the lives of millions and it's not laughable. Charlie Sheen isn't dangerous except to himself and those in his immediate vicinity.

Charlie Sheen will eventually pass into the night after his tirades become boring and redundant and will have little overall affect on us except as a temporary diversion. What happens with Mr. Khadaffi will ultimately affect the world and he will be rewarded accordingly.

As I begin my day I think it's important I remember just how totally unimportant I am in the scope of things. However, both Mr. Khadaffi and Mr. Sheen are only doing what people allow them to do. I think things are about to change for both of them. Talk about psychological distress. I'm just Sayin'.

President Obama and the mosque

President Obama speaks out concerning building a Mosque at or near ground zero.

Insensitivity seems to be rampant on the political scene lately. In the hopes of setting themselves up as leaders of the free world, politicians make, what they think to be monumental statements regarding the freedoms set forth in our constitution. Sometimes they appear to get it right, sometimes not. Sometimes it's not a matter of right or wrong, it just depends upon which side of the opinion you are on. It's rather befuddling to say the least. Politics, I thought were a process of negotiation to achieve some type of acceptable middle middle ground on subjects of importance to the local or national concerns. Suddenly it's a method for dictating moral judgement. I'll pass if you don't mind.

With all due respect to the office of President of the United States, I will not allow Mr. Obama to be my moral compass. I do not feel that it is our moral, ethical or legal responsibility to allow a Mosque to be built on or near ground Zero where a terrorist act was committed against thousands of innocents by a radical group of murderous Muslims. I fail to see the importance of building the Mosque there. I do see it as a sign of disdain toward our rights when it comes to freedom. A slap in the face. A sign of degradation. History has shown that those wishing to destroy a free country simply need to use their precious freedoms against them and they will destroy themselves.

"Muslims are a religious group of freedom loving and peaceful people. The terrorist acts are performed by a small radical faction. This Mosque at ground zero will be a sign of peace."

"Nazi's are a peace loving, religious group of people. The murderous acts of the war were committed by only a small radical segment of that group. They should be able to build a Nazi meeting hall next the the Holocaust museum as a sign of respect."

"The K.K.K. is a group of God fearing, loving, peaceful people. Just a misguided few of them liked to hang certain people they didn't like. They should be able to build a K.K.K. memorial in downtown Harlem."

We should take a lesson from the Sunnies and the Shiite Muslim groups. Just build next to each other and everyone will "all get along together." At least after all the suicide terrorists blow themselves up along with the rest of the population. Are they wanting to build a mosque to promote peace? Or, is it a sign of conquest? To the victor go the spoils and the right to record history.

No Thank you Mr. President! I don't think you thought this one out. I disagree! I still have that right, at least for now.......Joe