Jim's Transition Page Monday, July 06, 2009

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	This transition page to Jim's Stuff seems to be a good place to post some thoughts since no one insisted that you be here.  Oh yes, there's no significance in the order.		Press F5 to repeat the inspirational question.
	Jim is solely responsible for the below so if you feel you must expound on something, contact Jim as no one else will care.  By the way, Jim probably won't include, exclude or alter a point based solely on someone else's opinion.  After all, everyone has their own opinions: no matter how ridiculous they may be.

MENTAL MIDGET: an individual in a position where it is reasonable to assume that he/she has some intelligence and common sense but seldom, if ever, displays either.    (I finally defined the term in early 2003 after using it for years.)

Most groups function normally even with a typical percentage that may be defined as mental midgets. However, they are adversely affected by just one raving maniac no matter how good the other members are.

What needs a lot of attention, love, discipline and guidance from their parents along with access to a controlled environment for learning from knowledgeable teachers? If you answered children, daughters, sons or kids, you're correct! Where in hell are the "great thinkers" coming from? They blame almost everything except the real problem--the numerous parents and teachers who don't have a clue as to this question's correct answer.

Compare the compression of events with progress in communications and globalization. Compare the fall of the Roman empire with the United States today. Compare the almost total annihilation of the human race on Easter Island with the World today. How much longer can "intelligent" humans allow history to repeat itself?

Although one Idaho Falls/Pocatello area TV news station is somewhat better than the others, none are better than the Idaho Falls Post Register newspaper. However, that newspaper barely makes an adequate birdcage liner.

Speaking of TV, why is everyone screaming about junk email, junk snail mail and telephone solicitors with little said about TV advertising invading our homes every few minutes when the TV is on. I realize that free TV supports itself by adds but shouldn't there be a limit? There are now so many adds that its hard to remember what you're watching. I guess it really doesn't matter as most of the programs (and adds) are an insult to ones intelligence. Occasionally some of the adds are actually better than the programs. This still is no excuse for creating equal time for programs and adds. What really gets me is that this crap actually sells (it must or it wouldn't be on I would think). Now, forget free TV and look at channels like Discovery (not the only one) that one must subscribe to. They have as much advertising as the free stuff. It would be nice if a little news could just be crammed into the nightly news hour.

Off-road motorcycles, snow machines, guns, etc., etc. <> With or without these inanimate objects, people are the inconsiderate bastards that hurt things. Some people who don't own or use any of the aforementioned inanimate objects will (and often do) vandalize another's property, kill and maim animals (including people) and destroy vegetation just because they happen to be where they can. However, some people who own some or all of the aforementioned inanimate objects make an all out effort not to vandalize another's property, not to kill and maim animals (including people) and not to destroy vegetation just because they happen to be where they can. My conclusion: outlaw all people from all "public" property. On the other hand, we could be somewhat more rational and enforce existing laws that for the most part already state that people may not vandalize another's property, kill and maim animals (including people) and destroy vegetation just because they happen to be where they can.

Why can't a city the size of Idaho Falls, ID, figure out how to synchronize more than three traffic lights in the entire city? Not only does the traffic-flow suck, but it seems to me we waste a lot of fuel. I sometimes wonder if the cameras at most major intersections are in place so that the City engineers (or whomever) can be entertained by the traffic congestion.

Honest (both with others and themselves); hard working, dedicated individuals with reasonable intelligence, a positive attitude and a desire to advance will probably advance within their organization but in some organizations, they may not advance as fast as the idiots that get ahead by backstabbing, "kissing ass" and lying. However, can you imagine looking back later in life at your achievements (or lack thereof) and find that your entire life really wasn't worth a thing and that society in general, your organization and possibly even your family would have been better off without you.

Overprotecting or giving special rights to something or some group for no good reason other than that something or group may have been unjustly treated at some point in the past makes no sense once that condition no longer exists.

The income of lawyers, doctors and dentists deifies logic; therefore, their income must derive from the basis (whether fact or fiction) that when one seeks the "expertise" of a member of this "elite" group, one may be caught between a rock and a hard-spot. Some in this group actually are good at their jobs and do concern themselves with the well being of their clients; however, it's amazing how many chose a profession only because of its ridiculously high income, are mediocre or are completely incompetent, and still demand the "normal" income associated with the job. One can argue that the income of major sports figures and major actors deifies logic also; however, based on what? Of course, a number of other endeavors demand and get an unrealistically high income based for the most part on one's ability to obtain the almighty dollar for others. Compile the above into one phrase and it reads: high income is directly related to our society's insatiable appetite for self-well-being, pleasure and the almighty dollar.

A nation divided is a nation conquered. U.S. immigrants of working age or less have learned English (or some semblance thereof) and at least government business has been conducted in English since the birth of our nation. It now seems to be fashionable to attempt to run this country and our schools using any number of languages. Is it us or the immigrants with less intelligence than in years past? Right, wrong or indifferent, the majority of Americans speak English so individuals wanting to become U.S. citizens should have to use English. For that matter, one should have to use English to remain in this country illegally.

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's most likely a duck. This hypothesis pretty much stands on its own and has been found to be true in most instances except when dealing with government and self-centered groups bent on self-aggrandizement. Some of these self-centered groups certainly form with good intentions in mind; however, they eventually tend to feed upon themselves and lose all concept of society as a whole. Good, bad or indifferent, these self-centered groups cry a lot (literally and with money) then government begins to think these self-centered groups represent the society as a whole. Think about it.

The belief in something, nothing or in God (or whatever you happen to call him/her), is a very personal thing! This belief is often called faith and has spurred individuals to do good (and evil) in its name throughout history. Organized religion is merely someone telling someone else what to do with his/her faith. No doubt organized religions can actually be of some value to at least some of their followers; however, the poor sap living in an area where one religion dominates while holding a different belief has a problem. All organized religions have one basic underlying factor they often don't openly expound upon--each believes it has the only "truth" and all other beliefs are "dead" wrong. Therefore, each attempts to "convert" all it can and make it as miserable as possible for the others. Organized religions create as much hate and discontent as any entity in this world.

Except for their young, nearly all animal species do not pamper those that are of no value to their social order or that won't otherwise survive.

A lot of individuals that take the time and trouble to acquire a pet seem to forget that a pet tends to become dependent upon its owner and looks to this owner for attention, love, discipline and guidance. Some owners must live with their head in a dark remote place that most of us would find offensive as they won't properly care for their animal, physically and/or mentally torment their animal and/or often have no consideration for their neighbors. These same owners become upset when another complains about their actions (or lack thereof) or their pet's actions. If one doesn't want to properly care for a pet, just say no or when individuals find they can't handle the responsibility of a pet after they've acquired one, they should give up its custody in any number of reasonable methods.

Any number of cultures/races can live together in peace and harmony in some circumstances, and can't in others, as we all know. If the people themselves want to get along, they will. If they don't, outside intervention seldom works. It's possible for any number of cultures/races to co-exist in close proximity; however, they can't be compelled to live together in peace and harmony unless the people themselves want to. Who to blame? What to do, if anything? Well, it sounds like a personal problem.

The middleman (the entities responsible for preparing a raw product for consumption) has created an interesting phenomenon. Every time we are told of a rise in the price of a raw product or a short supply of a raw product the price of its related consumer products immediately jumps. If the raw product's price drops again or its supply dramatically increases, the price of its related consumer products may fall a small percentage of its initial increase. If this small drop in the consumer price actually materializes, it seems to lag substantially behind the raw product's drop in price or increase in supply. Of course, the middleman has trumped-up reason after reason for this phenomenon or could it just be another method of gouging the consumer?

The rate of inflation as depicted by the various groups that report it is an astounding feat. The formulas and numbers these reports use must be completely incomprehensible, as even when we're told inflation is low or under control, the price of almost everything is higher every time it's purchased. I guess, one can report a low inflation rate when one averages 1) the lower to middle income families' expendable income, 2) the small farmers' (except possibly farmers of important products like sugar and tobacco) crop prices, 3) the price of land where nothing grows, no one wants to live, and no "endangered" species live and 4) interest received on checking accounts instead of considering such things as the cost of 1) health care related "services" and products, 2) oil related products, 3) necessary living expenses and 4) etc., etc..

Some do-gooders tell us that we need to feel sorry for those criminals who must report their names and addresses to the communities they live in. After all, they've spent time in prison (maybe); therefore, they'll never commit their crimes again. Divulging their names and addresses may mean they'll be harassed by others in their community. Cops, judges, probation offices, consolers, etc., etc. must divulge their names to nearly all they contact. It's true, they normally don't have to give their addresses, but they seldom use a fictitious name; therefore, anyone can very easily find their addresses. Even though a lot of these cops, judges, probation offices, consolers, etc., etc. don't advertise their professions to others when not on the job, most in the community know who they are and where they live. How come no one seems to cares about these individuals and their families when they're harassed by others in their community? Just because you may never have heard of this happening, does not mean that it doesn't happen on a fairly routine basis.

Daylight-savings-time should be universally outlawed! As standard-time is the norm (hence standard), the whole notion discriminates against me and all the others that prefer mornings and essentially never get to see a summer sunset. However, just because it discriminates against me doesn't mean that I can't see its benefits. Twice a year everyone gets to readjust their lives with some having tremendous problems with at least one of these changes. Animals don't seem to understand the wisdom, and have a particular problem adjusting to their owners peculiar changes. Of course, some owners' don't change their animals' routines but these individuals have another problem unless they live in their own little world.

Some say gays and lesbians are as normal as heterosexuals. Just think of the warm fuzzy feelings you get when you see pictures of them walking hand-in-hand, planning their future or whatever together. These loving "couples" must be normal. Now, envision them going to bed at night; they become aroused as is reasonable with couples in love. Stop; homosexuality certainly is not natural, but can this unnatural act be called normal? After all, normality is kind of hard to pinpoint within our society these days. However, remember the arousal thing? A homosexual in the military is the equivalent of assigning a male to the women's barracks no matter what you argue.

If you are of the right-to-life persuasion, why don't you raise (properly) the thousands of children in this country alone that need caring parents (preferably a mother and father) or at least a semi-congenial environment? For that matter, you can pay to keep me around when I become a drain on my family just to keep me alive.

I try to remain loyal to one of this country's major political parties, and if asked, will usually answer with the specific party. However, with the advent of each party trying to be everything to everyone, it has become a problem. I certainly will not switch to the other major party and most of the off-the-wall parties haven't got a clue about anything except their narrow agendas, so what to do? Politicians (particularly national) today feel that "government for the people and by the people" means they must run for office by adjusting what they really believe and say to what some pollster(s) or party tells them to believe and say. Normally, we discover who's money actually controls them only after they get into office. A politician's loyal supporters may dig up some "dirt" on the opponent. This politician or the loyal supporters must, of course, tell the public of this "dirt" and express his/her/their concern over this horrible deed. Does the simple minded ass (and/or group of asses) really believe that the public actually thinks that just because he/she didn't get caught, he/she never did some stupid (horrible) thing in his/her past? Does this past "dirt" really affect anyone's ability to be a politician? A story of at least one State's governor: the governor was actually pretty good then went off to Washington to become a national politician. This politician came back a few years later and was elected as governor again. Washington had ruined the person. I agree, this topic has become more or less rambling; well, that's politics.

Close your eyes; think of just you and maybe a friend or two miles from civilization in a beautiful pristine valley on "public" land. Who could ask for more? Now open your eyes. The only people who can get there are physically fit with an enormous amount of free time to hike there. Oh yes, look closely and there's usually a landing strip somewhere in the vicinity. This allows one to get to this beautiful pristine valley on "public" land without being physically fit or spending an enormous amount of time; one only  needs an enormous amount of money. Get real, the desire for someone with maybe a friend or two to be miles from civilization in a beautiful pristine valley on "public" land is based on selfishness, not saving animals or whatever.

When a man either thinks he's more special than he really is or thinks his marriage sucks, he tends to think with the wrong head. Rather than terminate the marriage up front so that each partner is hurt as little as possible, he becomes infidel and normally hurts all involved more when he's finally caught.

When I was young, I sometimes fought just because I could. Later, I fought for our country during 4 years in the service then I fought for my community as a cop for 25 years. Now, my family is about all I'd fight for.