- First, to assist with your Monday morning work avoidance: Jake MacGregor posted three new chapters last week, beginning with Chapter 25 in which Our Intrepid Hero … dons a dress and discovers why it really isn’t his style.
- “The Five Stages of Awakening.”
- Dog helps rape victims in court and provokes controversy.
- This is most absolutely definitely not safe for work. And Felonious Munk’s grasp of economics might not rise to Misean levels. Still. a pretty good rant.
- States rights isn’t only a “right-wing” position. More in the common-ground department.
Blueberry season!
It feels as if summer has barely begun. But it’s blueberry season already. Here’s my first pickins. We’re blessed to have two organic blueberry farms around here. Nearest one opened this week and I got just enough to keep me in fresh berries for a few breakfasts. Next weekend I’ll go back and pick enough to freeze for the winter.
Many libertarians seem to be in the Depression stage where freedom is concerned. And gulching would seem to be a part of the Acceptance phase. But I wonder about that; for some (*NOT all*), it may also be the tail end of Depression — with nowhere else to go, we go “underground.” Just a thought.
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I read the article on dogs in court a few days ago and questioned that. While the victim certainly can use the support from anyone, it does seem to use the dog for emotional blackmail against the accused.
I’m of the old Perry Mason school that says *neither* side should have an advantage for true justice to take place. And emotional advantages are the worst kind. Today when a number of “victims” have been shown to be false accusers, I think it’s important that the lawyer — and the D.A., as well! — has to work for his win. (I know that’s old-fashioned and highly improbable these days, but — I’m talking about justice, not about the real world.)
Excellent article on the 5 stages of awakening. I do believe you’re writing under another pseudonym. Either that or the writer has read you extensively. It’s that asking people to think as opposed to telling them what to think that’s your strongest and most effective talent.
Although I mostly feel like I’ve reached the acceptance stage, there are events and people who briefly throw me back into the process stages. I guess I should say that I sometimes allow myself to slip back to those stages of anger or depression. The good news is that comparitively little time is spent there anymore.
Pat, good observation on depression. But perhaps the act of going underground also leads to acceptance — and beyond.
I had the same thoughts on dogs in court. I can see them as being wonderfully useful to help people get the courage to testify and to help them through depositions and other parts of prep. But actually in court? Definitely manipulative. I feel very sorry for little kids who have to testify and who are testifying honestly. But they already have an innate sympathy factor with juries. Adding a dog … wrong thing to do, especially in a setting where prosecutors already have overwhelming advantage.
Karen, that’s quite a compliment. 🙂 I kinda wish I had written that article, but nope. If I had written it, I think I’d have added a sixth (or maybe sixth-through-tenth) stage building on acceptance.
And I think what you said …
… is true for everybody who’s sensitive to what’s going on in the world. It’s damnable that we have to fall back into the anger and depression, but as long as we can pull up again and keep going …
Tying in somewhat with the process of awakening is this on the “Tipping Point for the Spread of Ideas”:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110725190044.htm
Totally agreed, A.G.! I’ve been sitting on that same link for a while (it’s not too uncomfortable 😉 ) planning to use it in the final part of the “Responsibilities” series. It’s a very encouraging article I hope everybody will read.
Blueberries are one of those things that are good just as they are-just wash’em off and eat’em.
A while back, I got a loud-n-long lecture from a coworker because I suggested that some of the various politicobabble(and other) talk shows might have shills that call in-staged callers-simply because some of the answers seem so pat and easy for the host. It seems odd to me someone wouldn’t question the facts of something that’s technically a *show* and, at least in part, entertainment..
The best part of your post is the blueberries!
It’s been many years since I lived where I could pick my own blueberries I sure miss them. If not eaten by the handful, I really like them chilled with a little cream and sugar over the top. They’re not to bad in a well crafted muffin either.
The blueberries are definitely the best. I grew within biking distance of a blueberry farm and my favorites chores were being sent to buy fresh blueberries from the farm or pick wild raspberries. I think I used to eat more than made it home. My Mom used to love blueberry pancakes with blueberry compote on top.
Especially, thanks for the Five Stages. I made the mistake of getting sucked into a political debate on a gun board recently and ended up getting quite depressed (and banned). I was even accused of being a Democrat! Critical thinking is all but dead nowadays.
Steve
“Dogs help rape victims in court.” That ain’t right. That ain’t right at all.
Great article on the 5 Stages….that applies to many things in life, as well….
Those blueberries look yummy…..*drool*
Lasik. Oh. Yeah. When you put it that way … it ain’t right at all!
Now I’m going to have one of those cases of the giggles that won’t stop …