Time to Oust all Dictators (2)

[Continuation, part 2. Blog on changing/deleting dictators]

I am only one person, I don't have the right to judge others; however, based on conduct and actions, I can judge whether individuals (and organizations), are socially acceptable or not -- civilized in this Century of Light (Author: Universal House of Justice), who pinpoint "the ruin that the human race has brought upon itself." In my opinion, even if I keep it to myself, how do I judge right from wrong? How do I judge another human being?

But in this case President Assad has been judged by the world's civil communities. The world in the past has demonized Hitler and to an extent the German people, Emporor Hirohito and the Japanese (hence the hubbub right now about visiting a sacred shrine), and many others in the last 75 years, like Saddam Hussein and his army. So in a civil society how do we get rid of dictators? Easy. 

1. Gather a military coalition as was done in Iraq and Afghanistan, 2. Issue a sanctioned U.N.fatwa, and 3. Depose, capture and imprison, or kill an inhuman being. Would that everything were so black and white. But remember how many lies (sometimes), arm-twisting, deal-making, and vote-getting all those actions finally took? Besides obtaining some modicum of public support? Time is still passing on such atrocities, during which innocent men, women and child citizens were and are murdered. "Collateral damage." 

No, there's a time for pleading and a time for action, immediately, so rebuilding a truly democratic Syrian nation can begin. In part one I showed how Assad's crimes were proven. Universally condemned. Yet now we dally and delay trying to get rid of Syria's chemical weapons. I say that's not nearly enough. This is NOT the same as issuing a fatwa against an innocent-til-proven-guilty evil person. The Syrian government's crimes against humanity led by President Assad is proven. Torturing, maiming, killing or displacing millions (UNHCR reports over 1 million children and 1 million other refugees). Assad is not like the long suffering, incognito author Joseph Anton who received a fatwa sentence of death. 

But why do we need multiples and multiples of murders to act against such inhuman "leaders," these mostly male megalomanical demigods? Weren't invasions and genocide in the '40s enough? Or in Rwanda? It's obvious that just like some demigods in the U.S. congress now, or these dictators, they refuse to cede real power to the people, or put the people's interests above their own like Nelson Mandela emblemized. '65 years later the U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide  is still deeply flawed. Still extant, it calls for nations to voluntarily agree to its principles instead of being mandatory for all. Unfortunately, even the self-righteous don't want to cede any authority or sovereignty to someone or to a justly constituted organization who can put an end to these infinite cruelties.

Not until the Commonwealth of Nations cedes some of their soverignty to the International Criminal Court and to the Peacekeepers, will dictators and their miseries end.

By Rodney Richards copyright 2013
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Time to Change Trash Collectors

No, not the hardworkin' youth and men who stop by my house and all the others on my block on Wednesdays and Fridays. They work with precision, hardly any trash spilt on the asphalt. Lifting those yellow and green cans and luggin' newspaper bundles up and in, as well as those black, grey, brown, and green buckets filled to the brim with full garbage bags and debris. I certainly wish them a fattened paycheck and better benes for their critical services, services that some communities make residents pay for directly out-a-pocket. Ah, I love payin' property taxes for such good service, never failing. 

Except the time early one Saturday mornin' seeing a Company man directing the garbage truck to speed backwards down the middle of the street, to save time and travel picking up missed cans.  To suddenly watch as the massive truck smashes the driver's side rear-end of my red Civic, as it tries to pass - goin' backwards. How the youthful driver begged us not to call the Hamilton Police, but we did, and the Company's regional manager was also called and drove up, to record the event. How the driver  received a ticket for careless drivin' and we all went to municipal court. How we met with the youth and the prosecutor privately, and he again asked for leniency, and the prosecutor said, "this will end his career." And so we dropped the charge, our testimony, and the driver left with a warning, not points. Even tho I thought it wrong to do so in the moment yet Jan had convinced me.

How do we learn lessons from our mistakes and be much more careful? But Jan convinced me it was an "accident," not this poor boy's fault, yet people cause accidents too.

And I had to dun the Company's insurance carrier weekly to pay for the damage -- which they finally did.

Or the homely lookin' necessary guys in green pants and coats on the Trenton downtown streets every weekday, with long-handled bin and petite broom, sweeping up the detritus left by uncaring pedestrians or tossed from vehicles, or dropped by children -- and ignored until these homely men pick it all up. Pick up to keep our city streets clean, beautiful. I've been to cities with pristine sidewalks and streets, London outskirts, Stockholm, Zurich, Rome - not so much. And how hard we try to keep our highways clean here, with orange-suited men of all colors and sizes, with extra long dark, thick plastic bags that hold cans, and Doritos bags, McDonald's plastic cups and food wrappers, gum wrappers, and road debris. We all see them in the medians and sides of our highways. Thank goodness for them also.

Not a bad idea chargin' businesses a surtax because of their mass trash bits, even tho not their fault they're strewn everywhere. No the customer's fault, too many, who'd rather pay the trash tax when they pay at the counter, rather than not litter.

So I was at Wawa on QB and Youngs Road Sunday, buying Salem 100s. I had parked by Nino's, possibly Hamilton's best bakery where I was concerned, to ostensibly buy a hand-sized, delicious, melt-n-your-mouth fresh, Nut Ring, at Janet's rare request. As I exited I unwrapped the pack out front, threw the wrappings into a large red trash can, lit up, and walked past the other stores back to Nino's enjoyin' my smoke. My "Stupid!" cigarette.

I find a bench along the way and sit while I finish. A thought occurs, That was a very unusual trash can. Interesting me enough to walk back and scrutinize it's red-metal shape. 5 ft long, 3 ft wide and 3+ ft tall, wide enough for two clear plastic bagged, square plastic buckets inside. One large rectangular opening for trash, circles cut in the top and side for recycle next to it. Handles on doors to open and empty bags. "Why does this strike me so?"

I enter a Note in my Iphone "Recycle", type in color, dimensions, symbols on outside, thoughts. Shouldn't all stores, city streets have such receptacles? Hard to miss, efficient? Instead of just this one for Wawa, shouldn't there be at least 3-4 along this long shop-filled sidewalk to replace the 'Only trash' buckets placed along it's length? How could people miss them? It's so hard to catch and find litterers. I wonder how many are ever caught and fined the $25 -- to $100. Couldn't there be laws dictating use by all fast food and fast coffee/cigarettes stores mandating use of these stand-outs? That would surely be a boon to trash collection and recycling.

Competition still works in the manufacture sale and maintenance of these red babies. Other competitive companies contracting with stores, gov't and strip malls for their placement and emptying. Perhaps even a credit for pounds of recycling collected in their bag(s) against the rental contract for these red giants?

There'll forever be a market for a better mousetrap, plan or program, won't there?

And Jan and I really enjoyed our Nut Rings.

By Rodney Richards copyright 2013. Subscribe for free and leave a comment or contact me at 1950ablia@gmail.com.

Time to Change from Dictators

 #1 I'm not expert in anything; today's blog based on hearing/reading traditional news outlets, Time and the Week.
#2 Nation building has ended. No more invasions to conquer lands - disputes hopefully settled by the International Court of Justice (estab. 1945 with growing member states subject to its dictums), also enforced by U.N. Peacekeepers (euphemism for advisors and enforcers and rightly so). 

A new model of war has emerged: coalitions, i.e. collective security. Adumbrated by Baha'i leader Baha'u'llah in mid-1800s. Examples are: the Gulf War, '90-'91; Kosovo in '99 with air support from NATO; Iraq War starting in 2003, now a civil war; and Afghanistan since 2001, ongoing. (Source: Wikipedia) 

How to End a Dictator (1) - like Bashar Assad

President of Syria (figurehead since '94); opposed by Peoples Council of Syria in 2000 and 2007 elections, but ran unopposed. Proof of dictatorship from reports: "Human Rights groups, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have detailed how Bashar's government and secret police routinely tortured, imprisoned, and killed political opponents, and those who speak out against the government^.  Since 2006 it expanded the use of travel bans against dissidents. In that regard, Syria is the worst offender among Arab states." "He ordered a mass crackdown and military sieges on pro-rebel protesters amid recent civil war."   (Source: Wikipedia 12/20/13)

Logical steps so far taken towards removal:
1. Background proof of cruel dictatorship has been gathered. Signs: Unopposed, unchallenged or unverified elections. Atrocities against Syrian people (or others). Proof is history and facts gathered over time in every case. Easily proven in modern times with cellphone pics, recordings, reporters, watch groups, internal document expose's etc.

2. Deciding. "Who's responsible or champion enough to remove him?" Leave up to anti-gov't protestors or rebels, international condemnation and embargos?   (See 5/18/2011 U.S. sanctions) Step a. Provide indirect military support towards ouster like advisors and arming rebels? (Not seen publicly yet?) b. Full civil war? Declared one by Red Cross on 7/15/12. c. Let it play out? Or? Next step.

3. Direct military intervention. a. Frought with problems and the largest (to me), is collateral damage (murder of civilians by coalition forces). Torture and murder accusations now hurled against Syrian rebel groups. Meaning: How on earth can we support that? b. International recognition toward stability is building (17 countries now), of the Syrian National Council (SNC); therefore justifying and legitimizing physical, material and military support. No one's done this yet, that I've heard of. Have you heard differently?

That's where we are now.  Part (2) coming - A Different Path.

By Rodney Richards, copyright 2013. Subscribe to this blog for updates, or comment to me at 1950ablia@gmail.com. I will try to respond.  

Time to Change Wages (2)

I'm proud of my home state New Jersey. The New York Times reported on November 5, 2013 (one day after elections -- and ballot measures), that voters approved an increase to the State's minimum wage (MW) to $8.25 an hour, by 61% to 39%. Since 2009 the Fed MW has been $7.25.The extra bonus in NJ is that the wage will rise with inflation increases annually. I should be so lucky with my our investments! But I'm all in favor of this fair minimum law for mostly unskilled workers. At that rate, if you can find a full-time job at all, it would be $330/wk, or $1,320/mo.

Then take out FICA, NJ income tax, a big maybe for health benes, and others. Doesn't leave much. The cheapest 1-bedroom apartments around here are scarce at $900-1,000/mo. So young people are forced to stay at home by pure economics, unless they share renting a house with 6 other male and female youths like I did thruout '69. The house was so big, there was a '60's Jaguar undergoing body work in the basement. But again, jobs were plentiful then.

In the U.S. it takes one large income or two combined to get started on the American Dream, and today's used car generally starts the dream off. A decent junker costs a thou or three.

That's why consumerism won't save us forever, yet it (based on sales), is the largest American industry by far in my opinion (or is it advertising and lobbying?).  Trades then sales have always existed I'd say. I and my family need things. We all need things regardless of our age -- products and services. 

But - prices seem to always go up (well, yes & no -- a different blog). The cost of raw materials always go up. Simple reason -- they're getting scarcer. Fossil fuels, elements and minerals, wood, water, and now with climate change -- fresh air to overcome smog like Bejing's. So the consumers' ride is coming to an end until we Preserve, Reserve, Replenish (what we can, like trees), and Conserve at all times. That's the "things" we already have and what we buy. We're just changing one material to another -- we don't create. When its gone . . . well. We are losing rapidly and not replenishing.

After decades of warnings, we're turning to renewable energy for example. In 2003 I went to a federal DEP banquet in Washington D.C. to receive an award for New Jersey's purchase of wind energy. Certified Green-e. at that time one of three highest states in the country doing so.There's hope. It's become a bandwagon now, with Jersey's current RPS standard of 20.38% Class I and Class II renewables by energy year 2020-2021 + 4.1% solar-electric by energy year 2027-2028. (Source: DSIRE). Energy articles aren't lyin' -- this means jobs as well as continued semi-comfortable lives going forward.

We can make a difference, and are doing so. Millions of people are helping. I'm counting you and I as helpers also.  

By Rodney Richards copyright 2013. Subscribe to this blog or leave me comments at 1950ablia@gmail.com

Time to Change Jobs (1)

[New series: A Time to Change . . .]

I can't remember what hourly rate I earned at my first job as door-to-door magazine seller in Mercer County NJ. I was hired for the summer, and was the only one left of the original 15 youth. (I am a Taurus) At the end, that company skipped town with all the yearly subscription payments, mostly from seniors. My first scam experience. 

Nor do I remember the cents per paper earned delivering the Santa Ana Register (California), or my commission rate selling Encyclopedia Britanicas in Orange County, again door-to-door. Nor as a stock clerk for many months at Woolworths in '67 next to Ewing High School, my alma mater. Nor as a busboy at International House of Pancakes on Parkway Ave (closed last year), and the free spaghetti dinners workin' nights.

I do not remember my nightly hourly rate cleaning Motor Trend Magazine and other Anaheim CA offices in '68. That job I got from my second cousin Donny (mentioned in my book), a swingin' bachelor. No, I don't remember that $$. In every one I was pleased and almost happy to be working and earning my own cash, shared with no one.  Thru the '60s dozens and dozens and dozens of jobs appeared in The Trenton Times, where I found my first magazine gig.

As far as any of my jobs or positions go, I enjoyed workin' and was always goalless, just goin' with the flow. Especially workin' as a salaried 35 hour-per-week employee for the State of NJ; almost 39 years. My actual "career," ended in '09 as a six-figure  manager; unplanned, unguided, happenstance thruout.

Grateful for each employment, which is why I now advocate vociferously for fair jobs for every able-bodied person who requires water, food, shelter, clothing and healthcare. Right now there are millions of jobs available, just look online.

But they all require meticulous backgrounds, bachelor's at a minimum, sometimes Masters, and years of training and experience in the field. Too many ridiculous and obscenely unnecessary requirements.  And they expect you to "hit the ground running." Mentoring or in-house training may be a joke, unless its sales or marketing, "America's job god." Yes, week or two-week courses on "How to overcome Buyer's barriers to buying," with many more to follow. Every salesperson's ABC? "Always buyers closing."

Let me digress. Consumerism keeps this country alive. It used to be buying U.S. manufactured goods, wars (still wars), which jobs mostly went oversees to slave labor rates, and tby the '70s turned ballistic into buying services. We seem to produce more intellectual property now than anything else, which will grow. I'd hate to be the US Patent Office!

So, jobs, jobs, jobs. Most politicians crying this mantra for decades, especially since the 2008 crash. It's a great mantra, but easy solutions, like OJT, more equal emphasis on technical schools, and legislation for things like the 30's Works Progress Administration, would be a starts. America's infrastructure is crumbling. A trillion gallons a year leaking from deteriorating pipes -- one example of dozens -- dangerous, overcrowded, narrow suburban roads, leaking sewer lines, wasted buildings/brownfields. At least cities and munis are recognizing these areas more now.   

So? Solution to jobs scarcity? Big ugly circle, sales and consumerism at all levels equal jobs and better earnings (maybe).

Why consumerism will not save us alone, nor even higher minimum hourly rates (which I'm in favor of), won't do it, in next blog.
All my opinion of course.

By Rodney Richards, subscribe or comment to 1050ablia@gmail.com

Time to Change Horror Parades

[A new series on change. To quote Ephesus (402 AD) "Everything changes and nothing remains still." In the modern age I've heard, "Change is the only constant."]

I love parades. For 20 years I championed our Baha'i community participation in Hamilton Twp's Annual Memorial Day parade. These parades honor those, dead and alive, men and women who have sacrificed too much to save us, to defend, us to defend ours, and the world's freedoms. I salute you and offer prayers.

Our Baha'i community built floats, carried big banners, children or a 10 foot earthly globe. Our signs proclaimed 'The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.' (Baha'u'llah), or black with huge white letters, 'One Planet . . . One People . . . Please.' I've written about my joys marching with friends, with my son Jesse rollerblading next to us and shouting "Happy Memorial Day!'  A day for remembering sacrifice . . . and American deaths. 

I suppose every people or country that's been in terrible unrest or wars, and have survived or won, hold annual parades in remembrance. Remembering the bravehearts who gave their lives so that freedom might triumph.Our thanks and gratitude comes straight from our hearts, because our heads, quite frankly, don't know or can remember the details of so long ago. Generations ago. That's why we appreciate V.F.W. Posts, who are struggling to remain open and need our help. 

But I feel its time to stop honoring death and dying, with, or without purpose, depending on your view. I would rather spend my time motivating the living, now, in 2013. Not from June 6, 1944 - 69 years ago, or VE Day, May 8, 1945, or V-J (or V-P) Day, or the Gulf war in '91, and so on. Millions of dead soldiers, nurses, staffs, and civilian men, women and children. Millions of years ago. Newer generations don't seem to care or know, unless their own National Reservist parent, relative or sibling has been killed in Afghanistan or elsewhere. I'm advocating Peace parades, those that honor peace, freedom and prosperity.

We seem not to remember the innocents in these horror parades. 
No one flies a banner for their remembrance. "Collateral damage." We are hardly ever ginen their poor numbers. Getting them from Iraq or Afghanistan is nearly impossible.

Do we keep celebrating OUR victory over the evil Japanese and German Nazi's? By having these parades aren't we forever rubbing those past misguided souls, men women and children, soldiers, airman, naval commanders; in the muds of hell?  Haven't we forgiven yet?  For their sins (and ours - Hiroshima and Nagasaki); or not, innocent townsfolk and children? It's 2013 for God's sake.

Look, we can't forget these bloody, decimating, crippling wars. If and when we do - some (usually men), seem quick to start another one - whether provoked or unilaterally. It's been said the day will come when mothers will refuse to let their sons and daughters (now), be dragged off to war. Halleluiah!

I was lucky, called a coward by some, because my body was designated IV-F by the Army in 1968. And so "physically" missing the so-called Vietnam "War." Aren't these wars over? Isn't nation-building ended? Shouldn't dictators and aggressors be put down mercilessly by Peacekeepers from all civilized countries?

Let's rather remember the rebuilding of Europe and Japan. How they've changed for the good, productive and honorable, their quality products sought by American consumers and businesses. How, indeed, we helped them. How indeed American businesses served them, with trucks, planes, roads, buildings, everything. And still do. And their strong employees at risk every day.

Yes, that's what I'd like to commemorate. The ultimate successes, the results of all that misery, maiming and bloodshed. And expand that largesse to fix our country's leaking water pipes, wasting 1 trillion gallons a year, or crumbling roads and highways, or re-purpose, renovate or build from scratch our cities' deserted and abandoned properties. To train the uneducated to hold jobs. To name a few needs.

Help me in fixing those things. You, Government, go ahead and take a few more dollars of my earned and unearned income. Let's make it happen like the German and Japanese citizens did. Let's crack our dirty little 2% ceiling of annual GDP.

We can do better! We're more than capable! And I wish to help.

by Rodney Richards copyright 2013
Please subscribe and comment, or reach me at 1950ablia@gmail.com

The Joy of Rumi

During the '60s I read Erich Fromm's The Art of Loving. Heaven knows how it ended up in my hands, and I don't remember one point he made in the book, but I've always remembered I read it. It must have meant something then. I still have fondness when I think of him and that book, so it left a positive impression.

This past week on Monday, the mornings when I volunteer at Hamilton Twp Public Library, I was doing my job in the Literature section of books to be put out for sale. I pick all 8 boxes to go out for sale, and the 8 shelves of softcovers and hardcovers (on the purple cart marked "Literature") Great fun, decent work, I get my volunteer stars in heaven, and I take my time enjoyin' Dunkin between activities. And often my eye lands on a book of interest I want to read.

We have a system for our 20,000 books to be sold (to benefit Library needs), which is, after each sale, whoever's in charge of their section, like Wars, Religion, Reference, kids books and so on, writes a small black dot on the item's price tag. Again, this is after each sale. When that price tag, which is invariably $1 or $.50, gets three dots, we move it out of the collection into the World Books pile in the back. Volunteers pack hundreds of those books into boxes and away they go, in fair to excellent condition. Basically we get the shipping cost back at 3 cents per book. 3 cents!

I was carrying the three-dot book RUMI Poet and Mystic to World Books, but stopped and put it on the shelf by my coat to buy when I left. Very happy I did. The reading is light, clear, and written straight to the heart and soul. Reminds me of the feelings I got reading Mr. Fromm, or Lao Tzu, or the I Ching. Especially having re-read the Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys by Baha'u'llah.

Jalalu'l-Din Rumi is a Perfect Man, in my eyes and heart. He is the greatest Persian poet and mystic, lived in the 13th century, a master Sufi and dervish, a Shaykh -- teacher, genius, a lover and knower of Allah, and I am touched when reading his short odes and thinking 'how so, how true.'

Another Perfect Man, or almost, another human saint, passed away from this world to his celestial home just hours ago. A Champion of the people he cared for in South Africa, and all people really. He will be missed temporarily until the joy of knowing he's traversing God's glorious mansions helps us realize we can have those mansions here on earth, for everyone, some day. Isn't that our goal? What goal can be more important than serving each other and caring for one another, like a family? 

There are thousands more champions here, and everywhere; millions, trying to ease the sufferings -- trying to eliminate bad laws and bad ideas. These champions are heartfelt and determined to bring goodness. I hope to be called one, somewhere, even if just in a small way, when my body dies.

Best wishes in your endeavors for good.

By Rodney Richards copyright 2013

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The Joy of Nationalism

The human race developed for tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, of years from family, tribe, village(s), city-state(s), and nation(s). I don't think this is disputed. Some would hold that we did all this in the last 10,000 years, but I disagree, knowing we have and may uncover advanced civilizations much older. Ancient. It just means they're harder to find - all traces have disappeared.

The point is that colonialism, national boundaries and independence revolts, are almost done. Now we have 'civil unrest' - for some reasonable reasons (corruption, voting fraud, not helping economy etc.). Mankind wants better. It's 2013. We deserve better - technologies prove we should have it, it's possible. So to all intents, nation-building has come to an end. Witness the model for stopping aggression -- the Gulf War, '90-'91. 

"Beginning with the policing of agreements worked out between hostile states, the principle  of collective action, defence of peace between nations, gradually took on the form of military interventions such as that of the Gulf War, in which compliance with Security Council resolutions was imposed by force on aggressor factions and states." (Source: UHJ, Century of Light) True collective security was born. (Actually in WWI and II) Another example being NATO in Europe.

So as I listen to China's unreasonable dictums concerning owning certain areas of the seas and islands in the China Sea, I can't help but laugh. 

Sorry guys, to you and any country that tries to expand their territory into international waters, or into boundaries firmly established by history or precedent. No, the resources of the earth now belong to all its peoples, like the movement of oil around the world, or any natural resource. The same goes to the Arctic and Russia's spurious claims. Too late. You established your boundaries decades ago, like China and all other countries (or new ones like Miramar).

This is why the world needs International Courts. To arbitrate these kinds of disputes peacefully, diplomatically, based on existing and new laws needed.

No, as much as I admire America's stance in the Chinese/Japanese dispute, by flying two jets thru that air space, you're missing the point. Really now, it's 2013. 

Wars have long been over. Only civil unrest, skirmishes and terrorism are left, and terrorism is our greatest enemy today.

Let's focus on eliminating real threats, and not making hollow ones.

By Rodney Richards. 
1950abliaq@gmail.com, or subscribe to this blog.
Look for my first book on CreateSpace.com and Amazon by the end of next week.

The Joy of Retail Training

I'm mostly an observer. That doesn't mean an "alert" observer, since I don't always get the whole story and find out what's goin' on behind the scenes. So caveat emptor.

I went to my favorite Marketplace Staples yesterday to return a 901 unopened ink cartridge for an HP All-in-one J6580 printer, my Mom's. Out of ink. Should'a been a simple replacement right? I had bought a 901 2-weeks earlier, and after an hour of tryin', could not set it in properly. Wrong cartridge? So back to Staples, checked the catalog carefully, and bought another 901. Got to Mom's but didn't open it. Thought I'd try with the opened one, one more time. And Voila! discovered I'd been tryin' to seat it in the wrong slot. Got it right, and worked perfectly!

So here I am returning the 17 buck unopened one. Wait my turn observing very efficient and personable cashier handlin' sales ahead of me. Nice lookin' young man, black hair, standing behind her. Before keying quickly, she says to him out of the corner of her mouth, "OK this button first, for Sale, then scan the item and hit . . . " and so on. Straightforward. Excellent training technique if your trainee has eidetic memory - total recall. But we don't except a tiny few of us like  Marilu Henner from Taxi, now an author on the subject.

No cheat sheet for the guy. He wasn't takin' notes. How many times must he watch this process before he gets it down cold? Plenty I'd guess. So I get up there and hand in my unopened cartridge and credit card receipt. Same process, but she says "This is like a sale, only we pay the customer." and pauses now and again to show him what keys to kit. But she's quick, one because she doesn't want to hold any customer up and get them aggravated, and two, it slows her down. I said she was very efficient.

So to all retailers, why don't you do this better? Save time, and make your trainee's tasks much easier. 

1. Three month probation period, mainly testing if they're reliable and how suitable they are. Maybe a $.25 raise if successful. 

2. Have a cheet sheet, at the cash register at all times, for "Sale", "Refund," "Exchange," etc. Very helpful instead of callin' a manager away from the important work they're doin'.

3. Have an employee manual, that each new employee reads, and is tested on, like homework. Not just employment rules, but how things are done, how you want them done. How hard are these are number 2 and 3? Easy. Your cashiers and clerks perform these transactions 100's of times a day, just in this store. They could even write the stuff for you, with manager's final approval. Done.

4. Be systematic. One month just on the cash register til down pat. Next month, half register and half stocking and getting familiar with all store product placements. 

5. Third month, half registers and half up-selling and sales. Learning about high end cash cows like furniture, computers and printers. (And thank you Staples for displayin' and sellin' these items. Circuit City's gone, CompUSA is gone too. It's tough with just always crowded Apple stores.)

6. From then on you'll have a relible talended employee. Every retailer wants that, right?

by Rodney Richards. New book Episodes, A poetic memoir, out in 3-weeks (held up by formatting and publishing issues - but book's DONE)

Email me at 1950ablia@gmail.com for more info

The Joy of Using CreateSpace

I don't love CreateSpace (CS),  an Amazon.com company, but I feel and think it's the best to use for book self-publishers like me. Two other major ones, Lulu and Book Baby aren't nearly as good. Lulu doesn't have an Interior Reviewer like CS. That's a fatal flaw. Book Baby would charge me $10.45 in print costs for 308 pages, whereas CS was $5.54 for the same book. So they're out.

If CS was smart, they'd charge a $25 annual membership fee just to use Interior Reviewer (IR), it's that good. They could offer a free 7-day trial to test it but not upload a manuscript permanently. You'll see for yourself. Save yourself $349 from CS and other companies to format it for you, and, with patience and time, do it yourself and save big on IR.

So I do love CS. Using it is easy . . . yet quite tricky, for a first timer like me. It took me 12 months to write Episodes, about my mental illness that hardly anyone knows (they will soon). It was close enuff, so I started editing, cutting and polishing. A month later I changed margins and was down to 316 pages instead of 330. Cut some more. Down to 298 pages, and it was done! Then I ran it thru IR and had to change margins again. 308 pages.

It said I had margin errors. Too small, yet my type fit perfectly within its dotted lines, and each page had plenty of space around the edges. I didn't understand so after four more tries at unsuccessful reformatting, I talked to a rep three days ago. "The dotted lines represent the trim lines." That is, where the edges were to be cut! They clearly don't say that. And this knowledge coming after I had spent weeks reformatting, renumbering, and redoing 38 endnotes! At first I was pissed when they told me this, so I emailed them a complaint. Then I got busy again with this new fact.  

It took me 8 tries to get the margins  and gutter right, but now it truly fits perfectly. For real this time. And now it's 350 pages. 350! Yes it'll cost more to print, about $6, so I'll have to raise my $9 price. So Interior Reviewer, which comes free with CS membership, is a miracle and lifesaver.  It's that good. And now membership is free, whether you use CS to publish or not. (Don't use them to get your ISBN if you can help it)

So then I went to work on reformatting the 350 pages. My original goal for length was 300 pp. So I cut out two Appendices and others and got it down to 332 pages. Fini!

One other important thing about CS and Amazon. Royalties. If people buy it from CreateSpace.com directly, they get 20% in royalties of your list price. They should deduct the print cost, after all they sub that out and i'm sure make a profit on it. If you buy my book on Amazon they get their 20% on top of everything. AQ rip off. Just because of their big name I guess, 'cause they do nothing to earn it except put it on their site with a few bells and whistles. Oh well.

So when Episodes comes out in two weeks, please buy it from CreateSpace.com! It's the same price either way.

What are you using for your self-publishing platform?

By Rodney Richards. Subscribe or email me at 1950ablia@gmail.com with comments. I'd love them.

The Joy of Polls and Surveys

We humans like to be part of a group, a tribe, a neighborhood, a town, state or country. Naturally, who wouldn't? Strength in numbers and all that. But I hate statements, surveys, polls, and studies that purport to speak for "Americans," or "Republicans," single-fathers or the overweight etc. There's just too many of us.

270 million adult Americans, leaving 40+ million children and youth. Have you ever heard anyone speak authoritatively for those millions of folks, male or female? Or for any age group? I sure haven't, not yet, except MAYBE once every 10 years when it MAY come close. It seems that coming close to speaking for all Americans was the 11th U.S. Census, taken by Hollerith and his punch card machines in 1890, the father (in my eyes), of modern data processing some 60-70 years later. And the Census gathers facts -- not opinions.

So pollsters who say, "40% of Americans believe Obama is doing a decent job," or TV announcers, or pundits . . .  are all outright lying to you.  I believe Obama's popularity rating's even higher right now, more than 4 times Congress' so-called popularity, but we'll never know. Never know exactly. 

No one poll represents more than a few thousand people when making such statements. If they're a decent poll like Gallup or Pew, they'll tell you how many Americans they actually spoke with in the small print after the headline statements and data are shared. Take Gallup on 10/7/13: "Americans now give Congress a job approval rating of 11%, down eight percentage points from last month and one point above the worst rating in Gallup history. Democrats' approval of Congress has dropped to 5%."

The small print:
"Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Oct. 3-6, 2013, with a random sample of 1,028 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia."  Even tho I agree with the headline and find it believable, only 1,028 Americans polled! But Gallup's headline shown was also terribly, unforgivably, misleading. On its face, its somewhere between misinformation and disinformation.

There are polls I do like, like this statement from Forbes in its 10/13/13 article: "But a new poll of 1,976 registered voters finds that only 33 percent believe that the health law should be repealed, delayed, or defunded." So 652 voters actually stated that. 652!  I can believe it; at least Forbes was upfront and truthful!  And we'll never know of course, how many of those 652 were lying or felt coerced by party pressure to take that position.

So I don't trust or believe polls or surveys that speak for one group, any group, unless they've polled all its members, which is nigh impossible. This is also why scientific studies of drug testing on humans have all those disclaimers; its a small sample, and just extrapolate those symptoms to millions of people! Of course they better have all those disclaimers, lawyers, and deep pockets.

That's my point, be careful believing that stuff -- it's just not true, or even close. It's all really a guessing game, a show.

Are there any polls you've gotten a kick out of lately?

by Rodney Richards
If you'd like, either subscribe and comment, or email me at 1950ablia@gmail.com

The Joy of Cursing

10-9-13. This idea came this morning driving to my favorite diner, God knows why; I don't. Here goes:

At some point, either consciously or unconsciously we've cursed in the past or still curse. I still curse, mainly in the privacy of my car when someone REALLY cuts me off or jumps out ahead. My earlier post about my motorcycle alluded to this flaw of mine.

I've had it since Catholic grammar school growing up in Trenton NJ in the mid and early '60s. The emotional response and words have not left me.  Let me demonstrate how I went from mild, course and common, to just plain uncaring and ignorant.

Joey, "Sister Jane (Doe) gave me an effing F for English,"  
Rodney, "No effing way! That mothereffer."

This was meant to solace the effect of receiving the bad grade.  If it wasn't enuff to molify the poor student, Sister Jane got blasted behind her back for the next week, and it was also heard from other mouths.

Heaven forbid if a fellow 8th grader was really angry, like I was one day in the school yard when Tom called me a "Pansy," Even though he was a foot taller and 200 pounds, my effing mouth and fists landed on him at the same time. After 10 minutes we pulled away, put our arms on our knees catching our breaths, and walked away from each other. A draw. But him and his mouth never came near me again; nor did anyone else, that way. 

So I had had a Phyrric victory over Tom, because next to Dave Shuster, Tom was still the worst bully. Dave was everyone's friend as long as you gave him respect, and he didn't take lunch money or punch you without reason. And he had the strongest punch in school. However he often instigated games of chicken to see who could hit who's chest hardest, in contests where the receiver of the blow was pinned by two fellow male students. Dave alwaysstarted off. "Ummph," I would utter quietly. I didn't want to seem like a pus.., a chicken.

So mostly we used effing if we were angry or surprised. Then subtlely it changed. Soon every other word was effing this or effing that, sprinkled liberally into every conversation, even with our hot eight-grade female classmates, like a handful of girls in plaid skirts and white blouses that we played Spin the Bottle or Doctor and Nurse with in their living rooms after school. It was about that time, age 14, that I started smoking Marlboro's to look as tough as Dave and others like the Gerambach twins who were also tough. No shortage of tough guys in center-city Trenton back then.

This went on thru my freshman year at Fisher Jr. High as well. Even all the Ewing Township "cool" kids talked this way. But then I was sent to California to get straightened out by my Marine Sergeant Dad, and as far as the cussin' went, it mostly cut mine down, because kids my age weren't as gross or as hard on each other, or others, in Southern California. Even bad stuff was "bitchin' man." Therefore, even now, bitch is not a curse word to me, even tho I only use it to say "What a bitch!" not bitchin' And now, never in mixed company but mostly under my breath.

That's like another curse word I learned from my dad. "Hey shithead, come back here and scrub this commode the right way!" After a number of times, it just meant well, nothin'. Maybe a term of endearment? Kinda like the F word, and has been. Now it certainly doesn't connote intercourse in any sense. And shithead just meant that your head was full of shit, figuratively speaking; not far from the truth at times. Especially 'cause I was always so forgetful of my responsibilities. So shit is not a curse word in my vocab. I try hard not to curse in any company, guys or women, and never in front of kids no matter what. The other night I said "Shit, you've got to be kidding,"  when someone was droning on and on and repeating themselves, and Janet jumped all over me even tho she was the only one to hear it. So I try hard not to jump in and comment when someone else is speaking, except when I'm really irked. Usually that's when I just can't believe someone could say such tripe.

But truly, there's one phrase I say aloud, that I learned from my Catholic schoolmates. It's not just a bad effing word, but it's mixed with a name in such a way that it's also sacrilegious. I always ask forgiveness after saying that aloud. This phrase only comes out when I'm super pissed, usually at myself, and it just pops out of my dirty mouth. But I retain a little control; I let it pop only when I'm alone.

But then I met my sweetheart Janet when I was a junior at Ewing High, and she and her friends, for the most part, didn't use such foul language. So I conformed. That got even better when I met the Baha'is and joined the Faith in 1970. 

So when do you find yourself cursing? Or do you have it under control -- like I do. Do you have any mild ones you can share?

by Rodney Richards
Contact me by either subscribing or emailing me at 1950ablia@gmail.com

The Joy of Working

America's a great country, right? That's what everyone thinks anyway. 

But today Oct.8th, after a week of a stupid, uncaring, and threatening to destroy week, for no good reason other than ideological differences, it's a horrible day to be an American and either not get paid, or lose money from your business. Me? I'm just trying to copyright me first memoir, finished at 8 am. But the copyright office is closed.
   
So anyway, we are a great country and we have great problems to go along with the responsibility to be as great as we can.

Well I will admit I'm still a very happy American. I have a great wife of 42 years and adult kids who are smart and happy themselves. Along with tons of close family & friends. I'm very lucky to have retired after 39 years of public service, as well as Janet after serving 25 years an elementary teacher, so we have decent income. I started Social Security last year which helps....

And that's how to be happy #1. Working and earning fair wages. It's a bonus if you like your job, and here's some tricks I learned to liking what I did, no matter what it was, even pushing loaded hand trucks around. 

#1. Take an interest in what you do. It's important to you and your family, your boss and your company to succeed; and to the country, no matter what work you perform, if done well, its a service to your country and all humanity.
  
Here's how I enjoyed work and tricks I used: 
a. I took an interest in my work and my bosses needs and the departments goals where I worked. I learned what they were, like the popular late '90s Mission Statement. Then I really focused on the work I was doing and those around me. I came up with a few ideas to make it or other operations more efficient. Whatever I did, I tried to smile when I remembered. I wrote  memos/letters, and later emails, explaining my recommendations to my boss. The changes must have benefits in either saving processing time or money; streamlining etc. I didn't worry or get upset if my observations weren't accepted. My focus was on making our jobs accurate, and a little easier. After I made  the recommendations, I forgot about them. No reason to get mad. Just keep doing a good job.

I wish I had made more suggestions and listened to staff more often.

In other words, I tried to be alert and pay attention. And I must say all my co-workers did also.

b. Something I could've done better, was to get to know my coworkers better and what they did. They are just as important as me. i tried not to think in terms of important vs more important; and to think in terms that its all important or it wouldn't be done and we wouldn't have jobs. I did try to be courteous -- please and thank you's and "Atta way, good job!" Simple heartfelt praises will improve morale dramatically. For a supervisor its always about appreciating and challenging staff to excel. Doing these simple things made us a little more indispensable and improved our value to the org.

I went to many luncheons and Christmas parties (I said the benediction at some), and tried to get to know people better. Many times these personal connections helped get the job done better and quicker.  And in learning the business, which is the #1 rule of working, I received recognition and promotions, unasked for.  

I also read the monthly tips newsletter for work, with how to solve personality problems and improving cooperation, building teams and all of that, and implemented what I could, like a Unit work manual with guidelines.  Chris Chianese distributed the tips, and also because he's smart and knows the job and people, he's now the Director of my old Division in the State Treasury Department, managing 100 staff.

All this stuff works well in an office environment which I worked in. How did you excel at your job?

Best, Rodney Richards

The Joy of Education

I've been editing and revising my endnotes for three days solid, so I'm taking a break.

Before I begin, let me preface my opins with this. Janet not only has a BA in Education, but also her Masters. Bothe Jesse and Kate graduated college: it was right for them and they thrived. And Jan and I are very proud of them for achieving it. but college isn't for everyone, even tho I regarded as highly commendable, and indeed its one prerequisite for success in a well-paying career. Almost all good job opportunities today require a BA or BS in something; and often that something has to be very specific to even apply for that job. So with that said, here I go:

College, college, college.  May be overrated.
I don't mean you shouldn't go if you can "afford" it, you absolutely should. but... $25,000 a year tuition room & board, is steep for middle class like us, especially if you have more than one sharp kid like us. It's becoming to close to a privilege reserved for the wealthy elite, with an in into a big corporation upon graduation.

First, high school. We all need to get thru that, and its the job of the individual, parents and society to make sure that happens. What's that mean? First a decent home life and food, clothing, shelter and enough wealth. A safe and secure environment.

Because of the times (the '60s and 70s), I was able to get a low paying, entry-level job with the State of NJ with just my high school diploma. As a stock clerk, which started my 39-year career, ending up as a purchasing and contracting manager responsible for over $100 million of the State's; your money. But that's another story.

In those days and years it was still possible to progress professionally if one worked hard and had some smarts. It's very difficult now, but can be done with kind and mentoring bosses and some organizations, social welfare and government being two. For me it was never a question of wanting to earn a big salary; no, enough to support my family and have a little spending cash was enough. And sending our academically-inclined children to liberal arts colleges was a struggle and a gift.  College is worth it.

But now, according to Wikipedia:
The United States has a total of 4,495 Title IV eligible, degree-granting institutions: 2,774  4-year institutions and 1,721  2-year institutions. As of 2010, the US had 20.3 million students in higher education, roughly 5.7% of the total population. About 14.6 million of these students were enrolled full-time. In 2006, 19.5 percent of the adult population had attended college but had no degree, 7.4 percent held an associate's degree, 17.1 percent held a bachelor's degree and 9.9 percent held a graduate or professional degree. The historic gender gap had practically vanished. 

There were over 226 million adults over 18 in 2006, so millions more now. (Source: Answer.com) So actual college graduates, as a percentage, is abominable.

My point? 2 year schools can be  fine, and relatively cheap,  for millions more Americans. I attended two junior colleges, in southern California and here, but am 16 credits short of an AAS. Work became to demanding, and I wasn't required to have a degree for my jobs. I was just in the right places at the right times. That's just luck, and nobody can count on luck to work. Or unforeseen circumstance like earning a living for your family, or getting married to do the right thing. And goin' to work fulltime.

Besides, from a 2-year school you can transfer credits to a 4-year one if needed or wanted. An absolutely viable path. A leg up. That's why all job applications have a check box for "Some education."

So I don't get this over exclusive emphasis on 4-year schools. And the 4-year liberal arts colleges are also cheaper (especially if a State school), and seem to be excellent, and I can say that from our own experience. (I won't go into speciality schools like Business or Education).

Why start with a 2-year college? 1. When 18 or 19 or 20, you may not be sure what you want to do. 2. You can mix up minors and majors, and figure it out. 3. You can save money. 4. For the vast majority of jobs, the degree with a college's name on it is enough to help you earn more from the get go, if you can find a job (tough these days). And its a window of opportunity into a 4-year school. 

In the 60s and 70s, the newspapers carried tons of jobs, and all employees were willing to give you a chance if you were half way coherent no matter college degreed or not (that's why the high school diploma is so important, it's the foundation for everything else). After a 2-year college you definitely have a leg up, it's easier to make a transition. Plus the junior colleges are much more closer to home. So night school may not be that tough if working days. Most of today's websites with job openings seem to require a 4-year degree.

But college isn't and needn't be for everyone. Many of us are smart and like to work with our hands. Carpenters, auto mechanics, plumbers and electricians.  They all have specialized training and are in demand. And always will be, like IT positions are now. Thousands of possibilities. But guess what, the college industry and government have conspired to a "degree" to eliminate technical schools. 

I learned wood shop in high school for example. Thank God there's hundreds of private tech schools, and some lasting public votech schools, mainly at the county level. But you have to be careful selecting one. (P.S. The US Dept. of Ed website is closed for the gov't shutdown, so I can't tell you how many tech schools there are.)  Maybe it tech school was the first outsourcing. And technical is also an entirely viable way to go, they are all honorable professions.

A degree from college is not a profession. It only may help you get there. A degree from a technical school can get you a job quicker, and almost anywhere; you don't have to be a New York City MBA, altho there's nothing wrong with that! If you can hang in and give your company or government what they need, honestly; and are loyal, it'll work. In my opinion.

There's a reason we have cliches. "There's more than one way to skin a cat," whether getting something done, overcoming a roadblock, or getting a job.

You have my very best wishes in your endeavors at votech or college.

by Rodney Richards
Subscribe or email me at 1950ablia@gmail.com

The Joy or No Joy in Killing

(Update: 10/7/13, 6:26 am. Episodes 99.99% complete.  Once stupid gov't reopens, I can register my copyright and self-publish the darn thing. Only took me about 14 months or so start to finish. I had an easy start because my autobigraphy's already written, so it was easy to pull the foundational scenes from that. That'll be one of my last books out.)

 Here we go:


As far as I know, there only seem to be a few types of killing (let me know if there's more):

1. Self-defense. In the act of protecting one's person, property, or another, or one's country. And for that matter protecting another country, say Afghanistan against the terrorists and fanatical Taliban. (Is there any way to ameliorate their impositions on others?) We fought in Vietnam against our enemies, the communists, and in the Great Wars etc. We had enemies and the goal was to incapacitate and stop their aggression, by their soldiers and their equipment. That usually means killing other human beings. So, you could say those were forms of self-defense.

Gang shootings do not fall into this category, they are more of #2.
 

2. Insanity. This is tricky. Fanatics and ideologists who destroy people and property can appear rational, and speak rationally, but really they aren't. Killing another human being is not rational except for #1 above. Columbine, Aurora, Newtown and millions of others are killings by one or more insane persons. Again, except for #1, there doesn't appear to me to be any rational reason to kill another child, youth or adult human being, of any ethnic background or religious belief or nationality etc., in self-defence. 

Insanity is also tricky because we have millions of Americans roaming the streets, like me, being bipolar, or psychotic or schizophrenic, who have been identified with one or more mental illnesses. I really shouldn't have access to any kind of weapon when I'm having a bipolar episode. Not a good idea. 

Because then its not the "normal" Rodney Richards in control. Not at all. I don't want to take a chance I'll do something really terrible - or the worst, by harming or killing someone in my family, or in the family of man. So I'm putting you all on notice: Don't ever give or sell me a gun, under any circumstances. The end of my pool cue for self-defense is good enough -- and I actually keep one in my closet.

All suicide bombers are insane by definition, because at the very least they want to kill themselves, let alone others. That's the only way to get committed to an institution in most States; wanting to hurt yourself or others. Unless you voluntarily commit yourself. That's being smart when you feel weird. To bad there's only 100,000 beds (all overflowing), in the whole country when millions may be severely mentally ill right now. Most bad cases are in and out of jails, like the average 2,500 in Cook County jail on any given day.  (Heard these stats on NPR and 60 minutes within the past three days.) 

3. Crime of passion. This is really #2 on a temporary basis. Usually caused by greed or passion, or hiding a crime, thinking it will protect one's identity. There's plenty of reasons for this, usually anger, or the other extreme fear. The fear of getting caught.

4. Hunting. Killing animals or men. Sometimes we need professional hunters to wheedle down marauding deer herds in cities. And that's government controlled, as it should be, and licensed. Hunting criminals by licensed bounty hunters or police etc. is really sanctioned murder. Hence the Iraq War deck of cards, which I hope is still active, for every sane person's sake.

This could also be called premeditated murder. A plan to kill a person. Called First degree murder in the US and elsewhere. What Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby did, would be premeditated, although the case for either of them could be ameliorated with insanity or crime of passion aspects. They don't have a category for stupid ideological insanity, that I know of.

5. Last and controversial, is accidental death. This does not rely on the means, for example by automobile or gun, but also by the circumstances and something called  degree of guilt. Was the death from carelessness? On who's part? Or on both parties? So its tricky and should always be trialed, I think, well all murder should be, has to be, in a civil law-based society.


In the U.S. there are five degrees or classes of murder, from premeditated to involuntary. There's probably a few more major ones I'm missing, but these to me appear to be the top four. 

And why do we make any moral distinctions at all? Man has been killing man for over 6,000 years, ever since it all figuratively began in the outskirts of Garden of Eden. Then came tribes, protecting each other from other nasty tribes, and so on to city-states, and states (Civil War), and country against country. And we're still in the same mode to large an extent, not realizing the 21st century calls for man's actions to catch up with his morally smart heart and brain, and laws. For the betterment of global society.

Well, sorry, I got on my soapbox, and I apologize. Nothing's ever that simple, is it? We all know war and death is inevitable right?  It's only the extreme idealists and religionists that believe in Peace on Earth anymore, right? Not some of us, the materialists, secularists, agnostics and others.

Ah, someday I'll explore those questions, but right now I gotta get back to polishing and cutting Episodes. My goal is to have it on Amazon by 10/10.

by Rodney Richards

The Joy of Constitutional Conventions

I wasn't going to write any more blogs until Episodes was put to bed and available on Amazon, but I gotta take a little break. I'm on the very last edit, of five, and it's going slow scrutinizing every word, sentence and paragraph. So here it goes . . . 

The first U.S. Constitutional Convention was in 1787 in Philadelphia with the founding of America by the Rule of Law.  Article V allows for Amendments, and 27 have been ratified. I was very disappointed in '72 when the Equal Rights Amendment failed, as well as in '78 when the Voting Rights Amendment for my birthplace, D.C., also failed. (Wikipedia) Perfect examples of needed Amendments. 

It seems self-evident to me that as decades and centuries pass, amendments are necessary for American society's health and growth. I don't simply mean "changing with the times," that's to cliche. No, States do it for themselves, like N.J. in '47 making a new one. And Article V allows it for the nation. I'm not suggesting changing our 216 year-old Charter. Modifying, updating, yes, but leaving the foundations alone.

Besides the two mentioned above that need passage, one on gun laws is long overdue. We don't have militias, we have the National Guard. As all gun owners have cried out, it's not guns that kill people, people do. That's right. 

Well, there's no gun registry, so we don't know how many LEGAL guns there are, or legal owners, except for NRA past presidents and a hunter you may know. Illegal guns? Who knows. Many more. I've read estimates of between 270-300 million legal guns in America. 2012's population is almost 313 million men, women and children. So figure, how many adults in the U.S.? Census Bureau estimates 30% of pop under age 18. So 70% are adults or 219,100,000 adults who can legally buy guns, like at gun shows with no background checks.

Now, I'm mentally ill, diagnosed bipolar since '79. When manic, or depressed, suicide is a definite option and can become reality. Guns make that easy, as do car crashes or jumping off high places. So we don't outlaw cars or tall buildings, why guns? All I can tell you, being bipolar, out of my rational mind five times, once as long as nine days, well, crazy thoughts and impulses take over, some much crazier than others, like killing myself. I never wanted to commit murder, but certainly got that angry. So, how about giving me a gun? Legally no less? Or I can just buy a handgun or assault gun at Harry's Army & Navy for hundreds of dollars. Not hard to do. I'm over 18. According to NIMH, 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with some kind of mental disorder. That 26% times 219,100,000 equals 5,696,600 over the age of 18. 

I think any one of those with a gun at the wrong time might cause deep trouble for themselves or for others, don't you?

Adult status is different by State, and States try to make gun laws as well as the Feds. Most laws specify punishments for assault with a weapon or murder. All too late. All after the fact. All after innocent children, teens and adult women and men are injured or dead.

So tell me, really, why is anyone opposed to gun restrictions like a registry, or background checks, or pre-qualifications?

For example, Hunters can hunt with guns, very needful in some places, like cities with overwhelming deer numbers causing accidents and deaths and Lyme's. Okay, I get it. How about a training certification beforehand? Mental health clearance? Registration? Hunting license and supervision? Like going out with a seasoned hunter the first coupla' times?

So anyway, you get the idea. 

We need Amendments. All these regulations don't have to be in the Amendment, just enough for States and cities to institute restrictions and standards.

Anyway, those are the thoughts that came to me this morning.  
Just one person's opinion, or is it?

You decide. Conventions and Amendments or not?

By Rodney Richards

Top 5 Signs of Bipoloar

If you didn't know by now, for all my new readers, I've been diagnosed BAD since 1979. Bipolar Affective Disorder, or "... manic-depressive disorder, or manic depression, is a mental illness classified by psychiatrists as a mood disorder." (Wikipedia) I'm classified as Bipolar I, having had one or more episodes for one day or more. My last, in '96, I left work without telling any other person or leaving any kind of message. During that 9 day excursion I flew to London, Rome and Israel, stayed three days, and back thru Athens, then London again to Newark airport, where I had started from.  It wasn't BAD for Me, but was for my family and friends. I mention it because I've spent the last 15 months writing about all this, and the normal periods in-between. 

The book is called Episodes and will be on Amazon in early October.

You may find it interesting, especially if you've only known my "normal" self.

Anyway, I wanted to share the Top Five Ways My Wife Might Know I'm Having an Episode:

5. On the way to full mania, We anger easily and talk back to her. This is apparent at work or home, almost or really cursing out Our co-workers or family for infinitesimal errors, or remarks, because they're doing something different that We either wanted, or would do Ourself. This is part of the perfectionism I'm feeling. Just one early sign. And I'm very agitated.

4. Life is black & white, no gray. And We know without a doubt what's right. Everything is positive and will go Our way. Not must; that's assumed. Will Definitely Go My Way. Like suggesting to Janet we take off for Disney World in the middle of the school year.

3. "Command mode" where We speak to everyone as if We know everything (and We really do). For example, when manic Me told my cousin David I'd buy his gas station for a million dollars so David and his wife Joann could retire. We knew We could do it -- make it happen. No doubts. Already accomplished; from raising the money to running the business. All planned out in My racing mind.

2.  Lack of enough sleep. For example, me doing fine, going to bed at 10 or 11, getting up just before 7. A full 8 hours. Then restless sleep. Then one hour less. Two hours, then three hours. Going to bed with Janet sleeping soundly, and at 2 a.m. We sneak out, get in Our car and drive towards the shore, flip out, and end up in jail 40 miles away. Then hospital for a month. (And I'm a lucky one -- 30% of bipolar teens and adults commit suicide.)

AQlso did you know that 60% of deaths by gun in this country are committed by those with some form of (depression or), mental illness? I heard that on NPR on the 10 am show on 9/25/13. 

And the Top reason Janet knows I'm bipolar?  Drum roll please . . .

1. Millions of thoughts, phrases really, without pronouns, without many adjectives or without any conjunctions, e.g.:

"Rome airport . . . Take train (to) city ... review Basilica ... Back ... Haifa." And so on. With thousands of thoughts between each one of 'em.

Racing thoughts, going much faster than normal. And they all make sense, but only to Me. And when I speak them they're not all coherent. And they're distracting, causing Me to jump from subject to new subject instantaneously, and, connect them, altho as if there's a relationship, but there really isn't.

And the whole time, whether on day one or nine days later like Me, I'm being guided -- without knowing it. I hear a Voice once in a while, directing Me. Yet I also had only one Voice in My head. And it was the royal We, I, Me, Our and Us. Oh, and I conversed with that other surreal Voice, the One.

So, enough about me. It's all in the book. How about you?

by Rodney Richards

The Joys of the Next World

First, I'm lucky to have a good life, and so I prefer life much better right now than getting hit by a truck crossing the road today. Absolutely!  That's what you expected me to say, right? But, I don't worry as much about what happens in the next billion years 'is all. I never functioned well out of a fear of going to hell. Well, I never had that fear. But I can visualize a heaven, and that looks much more inviting. I'm usually somewhere in between I guess. So here's my feelings why, once in a while, I think about the next world; purgatory, hell and heaven; the spiritual world; the soul's world not made for flesh.

Whew, a mouthful, but here goes: 

I believe that the next world, the world of spirit, exists. Have you ever seen the movie The Seventh Sign with a beautiful and pregnant Demi Moore as the protagonist, and Jurgen Prochnow as the Angel Gabriel? I believed it, it was that real. It was really about a world of souls, the matrix, before they are conceived and born in this world. Riveting. It was somewhat based on the Seven Seals described in John's Book of Revelation, which I've read. Also riveting. 

But has it already happened? Or is it happening now? (That's another blog)

My mind's not made up on whether a soul preexists, even tho I certainly believe the soul of the Manifestation (Major Prophet) does, because they must share the same soul in the same body, right? They know and repeat each others Message,  for example love thy neighbor as thyself, or in these days, what seems to be needed, better than thyself. It seems it's part of every religious belief, One foretelling the Coming of the next, and I think it makes common sense. The spiritual principals are eternal, social ones change in every age.

My point is that I believe in the human soul, that each one of us has one, We choose to believe, maybe believe, or not believe. Totally our choice. Like every single thing in life. A choice, a decision. The way it should be, since all humans have had, and have, Free Will.

And choices and decisions have consequences as we all know.

I always thought purgatory was a Roman Catholic construct, created for those poor babies and children who die. But I believe the babies, and depending on early age, say before age 7 (that's what the Catholic Church teaches - before the maturity to know right from wrong), go straight to "heaven." In a way, I wouldn't mind going straight there either, and bypass what can be a part of life filled with sufferings. Certainly heaven exists for the little ones.

It also exists for each one of us, you and me:
"His unconstrained and sovereign Will, chose to confer upon man the unique distinction and capacity to know Him and to love Him -- a capacity that must needs be regarded as the generating impulse and the primary purpose underlying the whole of creation…. Upon the inmost reality of each and every created thing He hath shed the light of one of His names, and made it a recipient of the glory of one of His attributes. Upon the reality of man, however, He hath focused the radiance of all of His names and attributes, and made it a mirror of His own Self. Alone of all created things man hath been singled out for so great a favor, so enduring a bounty. " Baha'u'llah, Gleanings XXVII

We each have capacities. Either a thimbleful, a gallonful, or anything in between. We each have abilities and talents, sight and hearing, thoughts and feelings, opinions and convictions, and thousands more. Otherwise, how could we be called upon to account for our doings?

So we have free will because we know and believe certain things, like choosing independent over a political party. or a milk shake instead of a Coke (ugh - I like pepsi). We learn those things thru Nature  - our personality, animal or human or inbetween; Nurture - care we received when young, and hopefully still receive; and Environment - growing up and what life throws our way. All three share a common thread - Education _ what we are taught or what we learn predisposes us to think and act in certain ways. That's why Education is the most important acquisition for humankind (I believe). Alexander Pope and others said it best: "As the twig is bent the tree's inclined."

So what's all this got to do with the soul? Our soul may be like a sponge or tape recorder, with an eternal energy source. Learning like we do but remembering everything. On earth and as far away as the moon, we learn how to think and act good, bad, or indifferent. Based on those learnings, we pass away to a spiritual place, a feast table, already prepared for us by our own doings. Not by "Well everyone else did it, so I followed." And the table may have a crumb on it because that's all we earned, or a full turkey dinner, or anything in between. And, we're hungry.

However, contrary to most opinions, it doesn't stop there. Could it? This is the spiritual world we're talkin' 'bout. As different to this existence as that of a baby's in the womb of it's mother. But just like a baby, the soul may gain its sustenance in the next world at that banquet table, similar to what we do in the physical world. Maybe. 

And again, those evil folks may have a long dark trip before they even get to that crumb. Eternity goes on. People you have known may join you at your table, from the bad or the good. Eventually however, after you've seen what your physical body has caused, we see our errors and God's mercy and grace descends.  More food and drink may be placed on the table. Now we meet the our loved ones like our spouse or mate, parents and children, and chat for eons. Along the way we chat with our best friends, and ex-bosses maybe, until we meet the glowing saints from our own lives, and the Saints of the [past? We've become so happy along the way, and others are also happier. Or maybe we console some of them along the way and them us, but always moving toward the Great Light? We pass thru purgatory or hell and into heaven. Every one of us. I believe that, notwithstanding this poor analogy. Again, free will. Just expressing some thoughts.

We enter the sanctified worlds, our mansions. Nearer to God. We meet Maids of Heaven (and not for copulation -- we aren't that person anymore), and His Angels. Paradise and nirvana can't be described in human terms, just like what I'm describing here is only my conception at this moment in time. As we learn more from the Prophets, these degrees, levels, tiers, become clearer. Limited to our human capacity to understand the unknowable, like going thru grade levels in school.

So, whether this life or the next, in both worlds, we may be on an expedition, not just to discover David Livingstone, but the truth. The true reality of our true selves and our soul. Not someone else's. Only our own.

So that's a philosophical view for today, what's you're take on the nature of soul and heaven?

By Rodney Richards

The Joy of Fingers

We do take our hands and fingers for granted, don't we? Whether typing today's blog, or lifting a cup of Dunkin coffee to my mouth this morning, fingers are indispensable miracles of the human body.

I was reminded of this a few weeks ago at my nephew's 17 year-old birthday party, combined with that of his 13 year-old sister a week earlier. Smart parents combining it. We had driven 45 miles north from three towns in Mercer County to attend. Nine of us, plus the four in the birthday family, still missing six from the immediate family.

My brother Ralph cooked hamburgers, hot dogs and lamb skewers on the grill, with tons of ordoerves (stuffed hot peppers my favorites), salads, fixins and lots of drinks, most non-alcoholic of course. All outside on his and Yvonne's large comfortable deck, with cushioned comfortable chairs and big picnic table, hot tub nearby looking inviting. A lovely sunny, moderate day to boot. Conversations were buzzing, and things going swimmingly. It would turn into a four-and-a-half hour affair -- a short get together for us.

Until my brother and I got back from picking up the cakes in downtown Ridgewood that is. Corinne's cake was from Carlo's, a branch of the famous Cake Boss bakery in Hoboken, as seen on TV. The cake for Corinne, a shore scene, with sand and seashells and umbrella, and blue fondant on the sides as the water. Strawberries and real cream inside. So beautiful you almost don't want to slice it. Almost. The other from Ben & Jerry's, a deep dark chocolate ice cream cake with marsh mellows and cookie dough. Decorated of course, for Julian, the older brother. Both cakes favorites of theirs.

We got back, extracted the cakes from the back of the SUV, placed them on the drinks table, and Ralph went inside. Unbeknownst to me, he left shortly after arriving. It was during the cake serving that I found out why.

Julian's friend had sliced his finger cutting one of the cakes! We hadn't known at the time, but Ralph had taken him to the hospital while we gabbed and ate. Nine stitches later, enough gauze and tape to make three fingers, and they were back. Then we heard the story.

 Two summers ago Janet nearly cut the tip of her finger off using clippers in the garden. Six stitches at Robert Wood Hospital.

I did the same thing, last summer, working in our garden using the same clippers. I drove myself to Robert Wood with my blue garage sweat towel around my bleeding finger. Six stitches for me to. Being the type of person I am, three weeks later I went to the hospital's Accounts department and asked how much my stitches cost. After some searching and obfuscation, the clerk said it was $2,250. She wouldn't give me a copy of the bikll; she said that was for the insurance company only. Really?

The $2,25o mu8st have been for initial intake, an ER bed, diagnosis, swabbing/cleaning the cut with astringent (expensive astringent!), novocaine, a doctor, stitches, bandage, and outtake. Not too bad?

I've met people, men mostly, who've lost a finger or thumb, or half of one or two. You'd never notice it really. The men I met never pointed it out.

But an 8th grade friend in Catholic school, Dave Shuster, the school tough guy and sometime bully, ran into a problem one day. Sacred Heart had a 7-foot tall spiked metal fence out front of its grounds. We all walked past it many times a day, starting with mandatory mass attendance for all students at 7:30 am.

I often hung with Dave, but not this afternoon, He left school with other eyewitnesses. Dave scooped down in his featherweights and black leather jacket . . . and jumped! High enough to touch the top of a spike on that fence, just to do it. We've all done dozens of things like that. Just kids. 

But his gold-band ring got caught on the spike. As his heavy body fell back to the sidewalk, the top half of his finger ripped off. I hear it was bloody, but that he handled it non-challantly.he was out three days. It was so bad, they had to graft skin from his body to the finger to make it halfway normal-looking . . . .

The next day the thickly wrapped finger was a badge of courage.

Do you have any Red Badges of Courage?

by Rodney Richards

The Joy of Order

What are the most powerful forces in the universe?  You might say gravity, the force of attraction. After all, without that, form is formless.You might say magnetism and magnetic fields. Or light; after all it brings life and dispels darkness. You might say Nature, encompassing every solid, growing, moving or thinking object and creature.

So I thought about this listening to an unrelated topic being discussed on my car radio this morning on NPR, my favorite and only station. I hit 1 for  Oldies and Goodies 'cause the topic wasn't hitting me. Classic '60s is my favorite -- that was my youth.

So, the force of attraction, which I think many of us may erroneously just call gravity. Attraction creates a sun of super-compressed gases, then a planet, both with gravity, then gravity and magnetic fields keep them in their orbits. That's my guess anyway. Its scientifically called intermolecular forces of attraction AND repulsion (Wikipedia). And its name sums it up. 

Next? Maybe magnetism. Yeah, that's pretty important. Just like how I met Janet in 1967-- "forces exerted on magnets by other magnets," But many of us are more familiar with it physically as metal to metal. And most things, like plants, copper and plastic, aren't. So magnetism doesn't effect everything directly, but it seems to at least indirectly. Mass has a lot to do with it also, in my opinion.  Janet I reached critical mass and maintained that magnetic field ever since, some moments stronger, some waner, but always there.

Take light, certainly a strong force at 186,000 mps. That's why I think SETI will be much more effective shooting light waves heavenwards instead of radio waves. Radio waves travel at the speed of light, but I don't think they go far enough (any scientists out there?) On earth, I think their limit is 62 miles. (Wikipedia) That's a long, long way from a light year.

Besides, I'm not a fan of SETI right now, even tho I understand the need, and loved Jodie Foster in Contact. Maybe in a hundred years when we have peace and unity of thought and of nations on Earth. I've seen a lot of sci-fi movies like Independence Day with one of my favorites, Will Smith, and the only saving grace was that the invading aliens unified our defenses, at least temporarily. The movie didn't go much beyond Will's and Randy Quaid's successes in defeating them. So who can say mankind will even unify enough to either repel or defeat them, and that we can stay unified?

Well, I believe we will anyway. That'll be a good day to attract superior extraterrestrial beings.

Attraction (gravity), magnetism and light. Would you agree they seem to be the strongest forces right now?

Well if so, or even if not, there's one force that unites them all in my opinion --  Order.

Out of chaos and gas, came attraction; a sun and its light; came planets and gravity as we know it and no real Superman, yet; came magnetism and the Aurora Borealis, Maglev trains, etc.

The common denominator to me is that the molecules, atoms, photons, electrons, Higg's bosons, ad infinitum, combined in billions of fashions just like stars and planets, like Nature and us. 

Out of chaos came Order. Out of evolution and random selection came man and woman, from Homo Erectus to Homo Sapiens on our way to? Why do we seem to forget we're still evolving? Do we think just because we're alive right now, that this is our apex? That time won't change our difficulties into ease, our troubles into joy? (With our efforts.)

We all agree technology is revolutionizing our ordered life on this planet. But to me the masses don't quite see the same abilities in themselves, only a few activists, educators, anthropologists and socialists? But without these higher-level beings, there'd be no order in the family, and no tribe; no tribe, and no city-state; no nation, and no United Nations. And we are really all higher-level beings right now. We can do it!

So to me, Order appears to be the most powerful force in the universe, its overriding purpose and goal. And individuals and society are also the most powerful forces for achieving Order, for mankind's wealth, health, liberty and happiness.

What's the most powerful force to you? In the universe or in your life?

By Rodney Richards