Before You Pass Judgement........................

Pray don't find fault with the man that limps or stumbles along the road unless you have worn the shoes he wears or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt though hidden from away from view or the burden he bears, placed on his back, might cause you to stumble too.

Don't sneer at the man who is down today unless you have felt the blow that caused his fall or felt the shame that only the fallen know.

You may be strong but still the blows that were his if dealt to you in the selfsame way at the selfsame time might cause you to stagger too!

Don't be too harsh with the man that sins or pelt him with word or stone unless you are sure--yea, doubly sure--that you have no sins of your own.

For you know, perhaps, if the tempter's voice should whisper as soft to you as it did to him when he went astray it might cause you to falter too.

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.

How Do I Maintain A Positive Outlook?

How do I maintain a positive outlook?  This is a question I am frequently asked especially when people learn how much death, destruction, and sickness I see on a first hand basis.  Really, the answer isn't all that difficult, and I hope you will find it helpful regardless of your chosen profession.  The following things help me keep my head up and keep me going forward.  I hope they will help you as well.

Treat others with unconditional positive regard.  This essentially means giving others the respect and dignity that all humans deserve regardless of their race, religion (or lack thereof), gender, sexual orientation, politics, or nation of origin and regardless if they are mentally or physically ill, if they follow societal norms for hygiene and grooming, if they are homeless, etc.  (Yes, I know I sometimes fail in this endeavour, but it isn't for lack of trying.)

Practice random acts of kindness.

Practice random acts of generosity.

Give to charity.

Help the less fortunate.

Stand up for who you are, what you are, and what you believe in.

Be honest. 

Do good work.

Lend a helping hand to a person in need.

Spend time with those about whom you care and who care about you; don't waste time on those who don't.

Do not engage in battles of wits with unarmed people. 

And lastly.........................

Treat others the way you would want them to treat you.

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.

The Tea Party Is Cheering The Deaths Of The Uninsured

You know what I don't understand?  I don't understand how the so-called Tea Party can be so callous that they are actually cheering the deaths of the uninsured.  Seriously.  It was repulsive enough when they lustily cheered Rick Perry's Texas execution record, but now they are celebrating the death of the uninsured.

Example number one involved an exchange at a Tea Party rally involving libertarian favorite Ron Paul (R-TX).  When asked about who should care for an uninsured thirty year old injured in a traffic accident, the Tea Party crowd actually cheered at the moderator's suggestion that the person in question die due to lack of care.  (Notice the classy sign being held by the Tea Bagger in the attached link.)

Tea Party And Ron Paul Cheer The Death Of An Uninsured 30 Year Old

Example two occurred during this week's Republican/Tea Party presidential debate.  While the aforementioned Gov. Perry was attempting to attack former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's healthcare plan, the Tea Baggers in the audience actually cheered at the idea of a twentysomething dying because he/she could not afford health insurance.  Yes, you read that right.  The Tea Party is happy about death by poverty.  Just when you think they can't be any more reprehensible...........  See the 9:23pm entry in the attached link.

An Uninsured Twentysomething Died? Hell, Yes!!!!!!!!!

And here is a very personal story from someone who lost an uninsured loved one to cancer.  I am sure my Tea Bagger readers either won't read this link, or will come up with some ignorant, inane "reason" why this man should have suffered like he did, and I can tell you on first hand authority that this is not an isolated incident.

Here Is What You Shameful Tea Party Hacks Are Cheering

Ladies and gentlemen, I just cannot fathom this.  The Tea Baggers are happy, nay---celebratory, because those who cannot afford health insurance may prematurely die.  Yeah, that is just great.  You scumbags make me oh-so-proud to be an American.  The biggest problem this country has right now is that all anyone cares about is what they have and how they can keep it.  If the other guy doesn't have it and has no chance to get it, who gives a damn as long as I can keep mine!!!!  Unconscionable!!!!  What is wrong with the people in this country???  Have we lost our compassion and charity??????  The Tea Party most assuredly does not represent the America that I love and am sworn to defend.  I do not recognize the America that they put forth, and I hope you don't either, dear reader.  Let us be sure that their despicable agenda is stopped in its tracks.

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.

Ann Coulter: A Voice For Civility?

You know what I don't understand?  I don't understand how right wing windbag Ann Coulter can have the audacity to accuse liberals of lacking civility.  I assume she actually said this with a straight face.  The hypocrisy of this nonsensical blowhard is just astounding, dear readers. 

Before any of you point it out, I realize I am taking a very uncivil tone about Coulter; but, much like Sarah Palin, she has done nothing to warrant being treated with respect or civility.

"Michael Moore, Keith Olbermann and James Carville -- they can walk any place peacefully. No one attacks them," Coulter said Saturday in an Interview with the Daily Caller." Karl Rove can't have a book signing with these crazed women or liberals running at him. George W. Bush had to cancel an event in Europe recently. Will any former Democratic president ever have to cancel a speech because of the conservative mobs that are creating danger?"

Really, Ann?  The conservative mob that most concerns the most at this point is the Teabaggers, I mean---Tea Party, but that is a discussion for another time.  In the interim, let's review some of this acid tongued harlot's more notorious examples of her civil conduct.

Besides the incidents where she so intelligently told a college student of Arabian decent to "get on her camel and ride back home" during a question and answer session at a Canadian university a few years ago and when she civilly and politely referred to now disgraced Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, as a "little faggot", here are some of her more thoughtful, well spoken quotes from her recent history:

"Ironically, since Obama was elected, for the first time in my life I'm sometimes not proud of my country."

"Liberals become indignant when you question their patriotism, but simultaneously work overtime to give terrorists a cushion for the next attack and laugh at dumb Americans who love their country and hate the enemy."

"We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity. We weren't punctilious about locating and punishing only Hitler and his top officers. We carpet bombed German cities; we killed civilians. That's war. And this is war."

"We've finally given liberals a war against fundamentalism, and they don't want to fight it. They would, except it would put them on the same side as the United States."

"Whether they are defending the Soviet Union or bleating for Saddam Hussein, liberals are always against America. They are either traitors or idiots, and on the matter of America's self-preservation, the difference is irrelevant."

"While the form of treachery varies slightly from case to case, liberals always manage to take the position that most undermines American security."

Yes, Ann, your civility is certainly obvious from your tolerant, inclusive, enlightened remarks.  You certainly are a spokesperson for decorum.

Oh, and while we are on the subject, let us review the tactful titles of some of Coulter's books:

Guilty: Liberal Victims and Their Assault on America (January 2009)

If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans (October, 2007)

Godless: The Church of Liberalism (June 2006)

How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must)(October, 2004)

Treason: Liberal Treachery From the Cold War to the War on Terrorism (June 2003)

Slander: Liberal Lies About the American Right (June 2002)

I, for one, can certainly see that Coulter is an expert on civility since she has never used any as near as I can tell.  The frightening part is that this poster child for boorish behavior continues to worm her way onto the national stage and sell books. 

Coulter and her minions are like bullies on the playground who whine to the teacher when the target of their bullying finally gets pushed to the limit and jacks their jaws.   It's intellectually dishonest to declare certain words as "profane," while speaking as venomously as you wish, so long as you say "please" and "thank you". "F bombs" never blew anything up, but George Bush and Karl Rove certainly did. When is Coulter going to learn that she and her cohorts can't purposely incite anger without consequence?

That's how it is with Republicans and Democrats. We all take unwarranted pot shots at the other side, including me. And it's not conducive to civility. So surely, there is a point to be made for finding a way to be more civil despite our differences. But the idea of Ann Coulter as the spokesperson for civility is absurd. What a hypocrite! 

This is a woman who refers to Arabs as "a description of the suspect" and says "Canada is lucky that we allow them to exist on the same continent." Ann, we'll tone down our "uncivil" rhetoric as soon as you tone down yours. Until then, shut your mouth, please.

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.

Blowhard Glenn Beck Strikes Again

To paraphrase President Ronald Reagan, well, there he goes again.............

That fine, thoughtful, deep, highly intelligent poster child for civilized political commentary, Glenn Beck, has hit a new low; and for him, that is really saying something.  What brilliant, insightful observation has set Mr. Beck apart from the other hot air merchants on both sides of the political spectrum?  Well, in his infinite wisdom, he compared the innocent victims of the terrorist attack in Norway with the Hitler Youth.  Again, I don't make these things up; however, I wouldn't have believed it, had I not seen it and heard it for myself.

Beck Compares Massacre Victims To Hitler Youth

Seriously, Glenn?  Those of us who can put together a string of logical thoughts know that you are a caricature, but this is pathetic, even for you.  These kids were learning about democracy from the ground up.  Perhaps if we tried such a thing here in the US, we wouldn't have so many clueless citizens.  Further, the LAST thing that the Hitler Youth were was a political organization.  Of course, with your obvious lack of knowledge of American and world history, I am not surprised you would not be aware of this well known fact. 

I realize you have to be outrageous to compete with Limbaugh, Coulter, and their ilk, but how dare you compare innocent victims of a shooting rampage to a paramilitary group of Nazis?  Disgusting.  And yet there are people out there who think you actually have something to contribute to political discourse in this country.  Maybe after this latest episode, they will see you for the windbag you are.  Here is hoping you fade into obscurity and never pollute our media with your venom again.

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.

Why Must We Label People?

You know what I don't understand? I don't understand why so many folks insist on labeling people. Ladies and gentlemen, you know the kind of thing I mean..............

"The queer from ABC Company."

"The rag head across the street."

"That dyke in accounting."

"The spics down the block."

"That fat bastard who works at the hardware store."

"The kike who cuts our grass."

Really, dear readers, this kind of thing really grates on my nerves. Must we address other human beings in such derogatory and disrespectful terms? Can we not celebrate our differences without insulting each other?

Here is an idea. Everyone has a name. Why don't we try using them instead of these inane labels?

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.

What Happened To Common Courtesy And Respect?

You know what I don't understand? I don't understand what happened to common courtesy and respect. Is it just me, or are the vast majority of our friends and neighbors terribly self centered anymore? Take these examples under consideration:

• As a student nurse, I have witnessed fellow students talk among themselves, play on their phones, and literally sleep during class lectures. Shouldn't the instructors be respected enough to have their students pay attention during class? I myself teach an occasional EMS class and have been subjected to the same treatment, and I find it personally and professionally offensive. I would expect my nursing instructors share the same opinion.
• During runs with my fire department, I have been verbally accosted by patients and bystanders as have fellow EMTs and police officers. What happened to respecting a badge and respecting public servants?
• Have you noticed how many of our neighbors don't seem to be able to see past the ends of their own noses? It is as if the entire universe is them, their family, and their little world while nothing else matters. Why do we no longer reach out to help our fellow men? Why do we no longer extend a hand to those in need and less fortunate than we? Do we not realize we are all in this together?
• While driving on the highways and byways of North Central Indiana, I have recently seen a person who was driving east move into westbound traffic in order to bypass a work zone, a person intentionally drive in a closed lane, so they could pass those of us with the common sense to move into the lane that was actually open, just so the person could cut into the open lane with about ten feet to spare causing a near collision, and a driver nearly hitting an elderly pedestrian who had the right of way because the driver was too involved in her cell phone conversation to notice the gentleman trying to lawfully cross the street.
• Political and social commentary, especially online, is hateful, vicious, mean spirited, and personally insulting. (Before I am accused of hypocrisy, I myself am guilty of this from time to time, but I am trying to avoid behaving in this way.) What became of thoughtful, civil discourse and debate? As a society, we find Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Keith Olbermann, and Lawrence O'Donnell acceptable? What happened to George Will, David Brooks, Mark Shields, and EJ Dionne?
• We are rude to each other. We treat those with whom we disagree with utter disdain and disrespect. We curse at each other. We degrade each other. We are more concerned with what we have and how we can keep it than we are with uplifting the downtrodden and contributing to the common good.

I don't know, friends and frenemies. I am concerned about the state of our society and of mankind as a whole. I fear if we do not start treating each other with more courtesy, with more respect, with more civility and with more dignity, we will soon destroy each other and ourselves. I am curious as to your thoughts on this matter, dear readers. Please feel free to comment.

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.