Boomer Musings: A couple of Things

Words to live by...

"How beautiful it is to do nothing, and to rest afterward."

[Spanish Proverb]

Ius luxuriae publice datum est

(The right to looseness has been officially given)

"Everyone carries a part of society on his shoulders," wrote Ludwig von Mises, "no one is relieved of his share of responsibility by others. And no one can find a safe way for himself if society is sweeping towards destruction. Therefore everyone, in his own interest, must thrust himself vigorously into the intellectual battle."

Apparently, the crossword puzzle that disappeared from the blog, came back.

Monday, March 16, 2015

A couple of Things

First up is about driving hazards:

LAKE PLACID [Florida] — A 98-year-old man was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital in serious condition after his 2008 Chevrolet HHR was struck while crossing U.S. 27 at Lake Mirror Drive. Highway Patrol Trooper Larry H. McClellan Jr.’s report showed that John G. Gill’s vehicle was crossing the southbound highway lane at 4:05 p.m. Friday when a southbound 1996 Ford F-250 swerved left, but struck the HHR. Jean Gill, 85, a passenger in the HHR, reported minor injuries, as did the pickup driver, John G. Thomason, 66, and his passenger, Tvonne Campbell, 51. All four are from Lake Placid.

These things happen... moreso in our "snowbird" months because there is an increase in traffic and courtesy seems to be harder to find. Though, clearly, the HHR driver might be a bit old to be behind the wheel and was likely at fault. Here's the problem for us: there is no public transportation system in this area... so, if you cannot drive, you are trapped at home.

The next thing on my agenda is a rant about racism. Much in the news these days, it is a major problem for our society.

Let's start with the definition:

rac·ism

ˈrāˌsizəm/

noun

noun: racism
the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. Think about that definition...Who doesn't practice it from time to time? I am sure there are many of you who do not consider yourselves racist in any way but aren't you? When you think of a white person from the south as a redneck, when you assume someone is probably a bigot just because he or she is lighter-skinned, or that someone is poor or ignorant or cannot be rich because his or her skin is darker than yours...How is that not racism?

I had a black man once tell me, "scratch a white person, find a bigot." How is that different from saying a black man is lazy?

Personally, I believe we are all biased in some way, that this trait is deeply embedded in our DNA; that all we can do is acknowledge it and try to control it. And that we must.