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48 out of 50 Senators voted last week to abolish the filibuster. No discussion of legislative action or lack of action should ever begin with the phrase "the nuclear option". Words have meaning. If we wanted absolute majority voting, we wouldn't need Senators or Representatives. Real governance requires delegation to a persons with a level head and a wise sense of history.
If you think that cruising is the best way to spend your vacation time and money, you must not have taken a cruise lately. From Pandemic woes, to crowded pools and ships, to small cabins, long lines and assembly line food, I humbly suggest you consider a land yacht vacation. The RV has all our stuff in it. I can drive for a while, and then stop if I want to. I control the climate. I can park the RV in a favorite location (Any Florida State Park or Disney's Ft. Wilderness are favorites), and, after the vacation, the RV is still there, ready to go. Cruises are sold cheaply; but, you aren't told that, if you want photographs or memorabilia of your trip, you can eat up a lot of money. I could go on, but let this typical view of a cruise ship pool get you started. Have I talked about living in close proximity to a few thousand of your close friends for a week?
Mark Cuban founds company to provide low cost, generic drugs. Mark Cuban is my new hero. Rather than follow the lead of Big Pharma, and raise drug prices to vulnerable populations, he is using his money and power to found a low cost pharmacy that sells needed drugs at a cost plus price that is transparent. Capitalism works when capitalists are good people. Profit is the best incentive for progress. Yes, some follow baser instincts. But, government control is not the answer. Thanks, Mr. Cuban. You have earned a thank you. Why isn't this on the front page of the Tampa Bay Times?
I posted this ten years ago. Who knew then about Pandemics? We all thought Monk was crazy, and a character in a TV situation comedy. Shakespeare was right. The past is prologue.
January 24, 2012
"Do You Know Where Your Hands Have Been? As I grow older, germs and illness become more worrisome. Aging geeks need to be conscious of health risks, and we tend to wash our hands more frequently, and use disinfectant wipes more often. However, are you aware that the most dangerous thing you do today may be sitting at the computer reading the FutureLawyer blog? Quick, where are your hands right now? If they are on or near your keyboard or mouse, you are touching the most germ infested places in your house. Yes, that includes the bathroom. If you then touch your face or scratch your nose, or whatever, you have just increased your risk of illness. What to do? Well, my rule has always been, WWMD. No, not the nuclear option, silly. What Would Monk Do? My favorite detective may be obsessive-compulsive; but, he has one thing right. Hands and keyboards and computer mice need to wiped down with a disinfectant wipe regularly. Hands need to be washed often. And, keyboards need to be deep cleaned less often; but, still on a regular basis. This kit from WalMart will make the job easier. Unlike some, I don't recommend removing each key. I have ruined a few keyboards when I couldn't get the keys back on properly. So, stop reading this blog. Get a disinfectant wipe. Wipe down the keyboard and mouse. Go back to computing. Repeat."
The Marcus Aurelius quote about not being focused on being in the majority all the time, has a corollary argument about keeping one's own counsel. Avoid drama, conflict, and other people's business or problems, just as you avoid joining the insane. Mental health. It's everyone's business. The "Save the Drama" sign in my office, reminds me every day that I have my own circus. I don't need yours.
I feel Earl's pain.
We spend so much time in our lives trying to join groups that are in the majority. We join political parties in order to win more votes in order to gain power over other humans. We root for sports teams and aspire to sit in stadiums with crowds holding more of our fans than the other guy. We adjust our behaviors in order to live our lives the way others want us to live, be they parents, or siblings, or lovers, or spouses, or colleagues, or other groups with which we identify. What if we followed our own light, without any conscious or subconscious need for the approval of others? What if we were our genuine selves, without regard to the opinion of anyone else? We might find that we are much less likely to join the ranks of the insane.
Some days, nothing goes right.
