A few questions for our candidate.
Year: 2036 November
It took a few days to take down and clean up after the Festival. But the next time school met the teacher continued his story.
Flashback: August 2010
Charles was having a meeting in Spokane, Washington at a Holiday Inn. The room was full with people standing around the walls. He was dressed well but casually in a dark blue turtle-neck and jeans. He finished his introductory remarks then grabbed the mike and stepped into the crowd to take questions. The first came from an older man sitting near the back.
"Are you going to take away my Social Security?"
"Well! I can see you're not going to allow me any warm up questions!" (laughter)
Charles' voice grew soft. "I do not intend to take anybody's Social Security away. But we would be foolish to admit that there are no problems with it as it stands right now. If we take a look at the history of the program we would see that it has never lived up to the promises made about it. Ever. Today most people will not get the money out of the system they've put in. Yet at the same time the financial demands made on our country are increasing. This system could very well bankrupt the United States unless something is done soon."
"But what can be done?" A voice asked.
"I guess that's the million dollar question. Or, since we're talking about the government - the trillion dollar question. If the system is going to remain solvent three things must happen. If only one or two are done it will not work.
First, there must be an overhaul of the current tax code. We must exchange the IRS for something better. (cheers) We have the second highest corporate tax system in the world. It is unfair and stifling to business and people. Now, I really do not care a lot about which tax system we enact, that would be something to talk to your representatives about. Many have proposed some kind of flat tax. I'm personally in favor of what the call the Fair Tax. It doesn't quite matter too much as long as the rates are loooow. He drew out the last work to the smiles of the audience.
That is a moot point if the second requirement does not happen. We're talking about spending. Let me give an example for you. If took the previous administration some 6 years to increase spending by a trillion dollars. The present administration's first act was to increase spending by some 800 Billion! By now they have spend over a trillion and a half. (That's new spending, mind you.) As a nation we are in more debt in terms of dollar amount and as a percentage of our gross national product than at any time in our history, even World War II.
Now, I believe that if progress is made on the first two they will go a long way toward solving the problems we are in and help Social Security. We are also in need of taking a sober practial look at that program and make changes. And do you know what? Several good ideas have been put forward which merit consideration. I've got a couple of web sites here on the screen for you to check out.
What I am not going to do is blow smoke at you, like some are doing or ignore the problem like most are doing. It will be addressed."
"Can you tell us something about your life sir?"
"Certainly. I was born and raised in far off Virginia and pursued my higher education at the College of William and Mary. I started grad school at the University of Virginia but never finished. The reason for that was a death in the family, a very close uncle of mine. He had recently started a delivery company with one truck and three customers. I dropped out of school to take over the company. Sixteen years later we had 15 trucks; I had added about a truck a year and by then the company was a medium-sized regional distributor with over a hundred clients. At that point I sold the company and basically, retired. By the way, the company existed for another eight years before it was absorbed into another, larger company.
After I retired I moved to the Midwest and spend the first ten years or so travelling around this great nation of ours. I've never been much for world travel, not that we didn't do a bit of that too. About 5 years ago I started another company selling truck accessories online. I guess I can't really get around my love for trucks! Two years ago I became part owner of a local gym."
"What do you think is the most important quality in a candidate?"
"First and formost is character. I would place that even higher than some sort of educational requirement. We've all seen Presidents that were supposed to be very smart and highly educated and yet they didn't do so well. Others, less educated did more. But every President has had situations in which he had a choice between doing the politically expedient thing or the right thing."
Afterward, Charles stayed to meet people, shake hand and talk. One guy came up and said, "I run a gym too, do you have time for a quick workout?" He did have time and agreed. It was a refreshing change since his schedule had been so tight recently. Before long he had to start refusing offers, or work out several times a day.
At about the same time a politcal operative in Washington discovered his web site and scanned the contents. He was immediately dismissed as a hack, but someone to watch.
Flashforward: 2036
The class was so engrossed in listening it took a few moments to acknowledge the ringing bell. The days were getting shorter and colder now. The students filed out quickly, shouting and talking to each other as they went while the teacher stood, trembling at the front of the class. A moment later the coughing began.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Skeptic's Arguments Leave Something to be Desired
Some years ago a Reverend by the name of Wilson Paley came up with an argument for God that went this way. He wrote:
"In crossing a heath, suppose I pitched my foot against a stone, and were asked how the stone came to be there: I might possibly answer, that, for anything I knew to the contrary, it had lain there forever: nor would it perhaps be very easy to show the absurdity of this answer. But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground, and it should be inquired how the watch happened to be in that place; I should hardly think of the answer I had before given.... There must have have existed, at some time and at some place or another, an artificer or artificers, who formed (the watch) for the purpose which we find it actually to answer; who comprehended its construction and designed its use....." (William Paley, Natural Theology)
Charles Darwin cast doubt on Paley's watch argument. It was known at the time that the blood supply for the retina comes out in front of the photoreceptors, and so each eye has a blind spot. This, and other supposed flaws observed in nature caused him to discount a Creator:
"Although I did not think much about the existence of a personal God until a considerably later period of my life, I will here give the vague conclusions to which I have been driven. The old argument of design in nature, as given by Paley, which formerly seemed to me so conclusive, fails now...."
The weakness of Darwin's argument can be seen if it is applied to the watch rather than the eye. Let's say the timepiece is found on a beach exactly as in Paley's illustration. It is taken to s self-proclaimed expert who, after some examination throws it out. He has seen a flaw. "The spring is weak!" He declares. This could not have been designed or made by anyone! It must be the result of random forces. This is nothing more than a collection of molecules known as 'watch'.
And this is supposed to be persuasive? What about all the other parts? The gears meshing perfectly with all the others, the tiny screws which hold the various parts together, the jewels strategically placed to reduce wear, the case being just the right size and depth, the glass front which allows the workings can be seen, markings on the face placed so they will be crossed by the hands in regular intervals; these intervals coincide with minutes and hours. There are more but I'm sure you get the point. The presence of flaws does not negate design or specific manufacture.
We know quite a bit more about the eye today than in Darwin's era. Every discovery shows with greater clarity how marvelous it is. We should also recognize that the 'flaws' Darwin suggested were only his opinion. Sure there is a blind spot in our eyes, but it is strategically placed to be in the overlapping field of the other eye. We never notice it. There may be a perfectly good explanation for the blind spot we do not yet understand. And considering the operating conditions under which the eye performs - it is an amazingly good design.
Paley's conclusion is an obervation that no skeptic has been able to refute effectively:
"Every indication of contrivance, every manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, exists in the works of nature; with the difference, on the side of nature, of being greater or more, and that in a degree which exceeds all computation."
How true.
"In crossing a heath, suppose I pitched my foot against a stone, and were asked how the stone came to be there: I might possibly answer, that, for anything I knew to the contrary, it had lain there forever: nor would it perhaps be very easy to show the absurdity of this answer. But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground, and it should be inquired how the watch happened to be in that place; I should hardly think of the answer I had before given.... There must have have existed, at some time and at some place or another, an artificer or artificers, who formed (the watch) for the purpose which we find it actually to answer; who comprehended its construction and designed its use....." (William Paley, Natural Theology)
Charles Darwin cast doubt on Paley's watch argument. It was known at the time that the blood supply for the retina comes out in front of the photoreceptors, and so each eye has a blind spot. This, and other supposed flaws observed in nature caused him to discount a Creator:
"Although I did not think much about the existence of a personal God until a considerably later period of my life, I will here give the vague conclusions to which I have been driven. The old argument of design in nature, as given by Paley, which formerly seemed to me so conclusive, fails now...."
The weakness of Darwin's argument can be seen if it is applied to the watch rather than the eye. Let's say the timepiece is found on a beach exactly as in Paley's illustration. It is taken to s self-proclaimed expert who, after some examination throws it out. He has seen a flaw. "The spring is weak!" He declares. This could not have been designed or made by anyone! It must be the result of random forces. This is nothing more than a collection of molecules known as 'watch'.
And this is supposed to be persuasive? What about all the other parts? The gears meshing perfectly with all the others, the tiny screws which hold the various parts together, the jewels strategically placed to reduce wear, the case being just the right size and depth, the glass front which allows the workings can be seen, markings on the face placed so they will be crossed by the hands in regular intervals; these intervals coincide with minutes and hours. There are more but I'm sure you get the point. The presence of flaws does not negate design or specific manufacture.
We know quite a bit more about the eye today than in Darwin's era. Every discovery shows with greater clarity how marvelous it is. We should also recognize that the 'flaws' Darwin suggested were only his opinion. Sure there is a blind spot in our eyes, but it is strategically placed to be in the overlapping field of the other eye. We never notice it. There may be a perfectly good explanation for the blind spot we do not yet understand. And considering the operating conditions under which the eye performs - it is an amazingly good design.
Paley's conclusion is an obervation that no skeptic has been able to refute effectively:
"Every indication of contrivance, every manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, exists in the works of nature; with the difference, on the side of nature, of being greater or more, and that in a degree which exceeds all computation."
How true.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Candidate of the Apocalypse
Episode 4: Year 2036 Mid October
A Long Awaited Party
School had been on hiatus for about a week now. Everyone was busy making final preparations. The crops had been harvested and stored even earlier than last year. But that was not the reason for the current activity. After the townspeople finished their last minute assignments they gathered along the westward road, waiting and talking excitedly. Around noon they heard the hooves. Voices followed. In a few minutes a parade of wagons drawn mostly by horses swept by to the shouts and applause of the townspeople. The Fall Fair had now begun.
Victorville was nestled in a valley of the San Gabriel Mountains about 50 miles from old Los Angeles. In the former days highway 15 ran through town, around the Mojave Desert and eventually to Las Vegas. The road had not disappeared, but it's once smooth pavement was cracked and broken. Teams of workers, when they could be spared from other duties, worked hard to clear and repair the damage.
Because of the mighty tectonic shifts at the end of the Great Darkness, Victorville was now one of the western most towns in California. It stood only a few miles from the new cost. From here the traveller turned either north or south. Today the road hosted a menagerie from near and far. Out of the south came a contingent from nearby Lucerne Valley. Citizens of eastward Barstow had started the day before, travelling late into the night, camping under the stars before setting out at the sun's first light. They arrived first. Later, a band from far off Bakersfield arrived. It had taken some three days for them to get here. They came up the northward road with heavily laden wagons drawn by four horses each. The various parades lasted all afternoon with stragglers continuing to arrive into the night.
As the Great Darkness came to an end, the survivors that crawled out from the wreckage realized they had to literally start over again. Now, some sixteen years later the survivors were enjoying a semblence of prosperity. Craftsmanship was coming into its own. The roads were used more often. Not by cars, mind you. The old rigs were all gone, and refineries had not been repaired as of yet. A few vehicles, those whose parts were not plundered for other use, were kept in decent repair against the day when fuel could be developed.
Festival Week. It was time to meet people and renew friendships struck from previous fairs, do a little bartering and gather news from far off places. Everything from crops to clothing was enthusiastically swapped. Victorville excelled in all manner of hand crafts. And their apple orchards were held in high regard by all.
Once the initial greetings and parties had subsided it was time for the various trades to meet with their counterparts to discuss and plan. The teacher was no different. He met with the others to talk about the art of teaching and exchange things of great value; books. It was he who originally found some books in an abandoned home and started the collection that is the school library. It was not very big. Most of the entries were of the romance and pulp fiction type, but scattered among them could be found some literary masterpieces as well as some college textbooks. He longed for some fresh material, expecially since most of his students had already read the entire library more than once.
He and the others were in general agreement about the curriculum. His was put into question only because he was discussing the conditions that led to The Great Darkness. They were concerned he might in some way be glorifying those days. Teacher shook his head. Why glorify something that led to the destruction of every nation on earth except one? No. His one and only aim was to inculcate in his students an awareness of the dangers so they could be avoided.
Evening fell and the growing darkness was filled with smoke and the smell of cooking food. Laughter, song and lively conversation continued far into the night.
A Long Awaited Party
School had been on hiatus for about a week now. Everyone was busy making final preparations. The crops had been harvested and stored even earlier than last year. But that was not the reason for the current activity. After the townspeople finished their last minute assignments they gathered along the westward road, waiting and talking excitedly. Around noon they heard the hooves. Voices followed. In a few minutes a parade of wagons drawn mostly by horses swept by to the shouts and applause of the townspeople. The Fall Fair had now begun.
Victorville was nestled in a valley of the San Gabriel Mountains about 50 miles from old Los Angeles. In the former days highway 15 ran through town, around the Mojave Desert and eventually to Las Vegas. The road had not disappeared, but it's once smooth pavement was cracked and broken. Teams of workers, when they could be spared from other duties, worked hard to clear and repair the damage.
Because of the mighty tectonic shifts at the end of the Great Darkness, Victorville was now one of the western most towns in California. It stood only a few miles from the new cost. From here the traveller turned either north or south. Today the road hosted a menagerie from near and far. Out of the south came a contingent from nearby Lucerne Valley. Citizens of eastward Barstow had started the day before, travelling late into the night, camping under the stars before setting out at the sun's first light. They arrived first. Later, a band from far off Bakersfield arrived. It had taken some three days for them to get here. They came up the northward road with heavily laden wagons drawn by four horses each. The various parades lasted all afternoon with stragglers continuing to arrive into the night.
As the Great Darkness came to an end, the survivors that crawled out from the wreckage realized they had to literally start over again. Now, some sixteen years later the survivors were enjoying a semblence of prosperity. Craftsmanship was coming into its own. The roads were used more often. Not by cars, mind you. The old rigs were all gone, and refineries had not been repaired as of yet. A few vehicles, those whose parts were not plundered for other use, were kept in decent repair against the day when fuel could be developed.
Festival Week. It was time to meet people and renew friendships struck from previous fairs, do a little bartering and gather news from far off places. Everything from crops to clothing was enthusiastically swapped. Victorville excelled in all manner of hand crafts. And their apple orchards were held in high regard by all.
Once the initial greetings and parties had subsided it was time for the various trades to meet with their counterparts to discuss and plan. The teacher was no different. He met with the others to talk about the art of teaching and exchange things of great value; books. It was he who originally found some books in an abandoned home and started the collection that is the school library. It was not very big. Most of the entries were of the romance and pulp fiction type, but scattered among them could be found some literary masterpieces as well as some college textbooks. He longed for some fresh material, expecially since most of his students had already read the entire library more than once.
He and the others were in general agreement about the curriculum. His was put into question only because he was discussing the conditions that led to The Great Darkness. They were concerned he might in some way be glorifying those days. Teacher shook his head. Why glorify something that led to the destruction of every nation on earth except one? No. His one and only aim was to inculcate in his students an awareness of the dangers so they could be avoided.
Evening fell and the growing darkness was filled with smoke and the smell of cooking food. Laughter, song and lively conversation continued far into the night.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Spiritual Capitalism
"But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:14)
These words were uttered by Jesus to an anonymous woman who lived in the city of Sychar, Samaria. They represent a very important truth about God's purpose. He is not content with simply providing salvation for us. He wants our spiritual lives to be rich and engaging.
Jesus pressed his disciples to come here in spite of some silent misgivings on their part. There was friction between Jews and Samaritans. The woman put voice to those concerns in her answer to Jesus' request for water. He ignored her and immediately began some metaphoric comments comparing water from the well to the Spirit of God. She didn't get it. But Jesus persisted and soon the conversation came around to the heart of the matter. The woman said: "I know the Messiah cometh-when he comes he will declare unto us all things." Jesus' reply was succinct, "I that speak to you-am He!" The truth of that statement hit the woman like a bolt of lightning.
She hurried away, past the recently returned disciples. Minutes later she was back-followed by the entire town! In that short span of time she convinced them someone special was at the well. They begged him to stay, which he did. Two days later they approached the woman and said, "Now we believe, not because of your speaking, but because we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the savior of the world."
How was it possible for this woman to create such a reaction? Because the Spirit that Jesus mentioned comes instantly into the believer with unlimited power. This is Spiritual Capitalism.
Spiritual Capitalism is the direct result of a right relationship with God. It is powered by Grace and brings freedom to our souls. What is most interesting is that there is some relationship between soul and body we of the earth-bound variety do not fully understand. God however, does. Jesus did not preach to the woman, nor did he present her with a list of things to do. He gave her no instructions and no laws. She did what came naturally out of a full heart.
And the results were electrifying.
These words were uttered by Jesus to an anonymous woman who lived in the city of Sychar, Samaria. They represent a very important truth about God's purpose. He is not content with simply providing salvation for us. He wants our spiritual lives to be rich and engaging.
Jesus pressed his disciples to come here in spite of some silent misgivings on their part. There was friction between Jews and Samaritans. The woman put voice to those concerns in her answer to Jesus' request for water. He ignored her and immediately began some metaphoric comments comparing water from the well to the Spirit of God. She didn't get it. But Jesus persisted and soon the conversation came around to the heart of the matter. The woman said: "I know the Messiah cometh-when he comes he will declare unto us all things." Jesus' reply was succinct, "I that speak to you-am He!" The truth of that statement hit the woman like a bolt of lightning.
She hurried away, past the recently returned disciples. Minutes later she was back-followed by the entire town! In that short span of time she convinced them someone special was at the well. They begged him to stay, which he did. Two days later they approached the woman and said, "Now we believe, not because of your speaking, but because we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the savior of the world."
How was it possible for this woman to create such a reaction? Because the Spirit that Jesus mentioned comes instantly into the believer with unlimited power. This is Spiritual Capitalism.
Spiritual Capitalism is the direct result of a right relationship with God. It is powered by Grace and brings freedom to our souls. What is most interesting is that there is some relationship between soul and body we of the earth-bound variety do not fully understand. God however, does. Jesus did not preach to the woman, nor did he present her with a list of things to do. He gave her no instructions and no laws. She did what came naturally out of a full heart.
And the results were electrifying.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Candidate of the Apocalypse
Episode 3: Year: 2036 Early October
It would be another three days before the teacher got back around to Charles' story. One class day was entirely devoted to singing. He wanted his charges to understand the importance of joy and gratitude in everything they did. He was not much of a musician, and there were no materials. Yet his students showed a remarkable ability to put word to note. Singing seemed as natural to them as breathing. Next, he followed his usual rotation and went back to science and mathematics.
Flashback: June, 2010
Charles was frustrated.
He had been pouring everything he had into the last few months with little results. Doubts began to form in his mind. Maybe it was a fool's errand after all. It was perhaps an idea whose time had not come. But, he was not quite willing to give up. Those concerns were never publically disclosed. They were resigned to moments when he was alone. He did get a boost early on when the health care bill passed. Most of his meetings were on video. Only a few were face to face.
He still had a couple of more get togethers, but inside he had already decided that if nothing changed in the next few weeks - it simply wasn't meant to be.
Flashforward to 2036:
"And," the teacher reminded them, "Like many people who have striven to accomplish great things; Just after all seems hopeless- something changes. In this case it was in what used to be Texas, Abilene, if I am not mistaken. Now, up to this point he would usually fly into town, do a meet and greet- speak, answer questions, and head back to the airport. Now, in this instance it happened that Charles had a couple of hours before his return flight. He was actually looking forward to spending the time by himself. This, he thought, would be his last trip.
Flashback to 2010:
When Charles finished answering questions his host, the owner of the company, walked over and shook his hand. "Charlie, he began, "Thanks again for coming. I really think your ideas are on the mark. I know you've got a little time before your return flight...." Charles thought he was going to give him a tour of the town. Instead. ".... a good friend of mine is just a mile or so up the road. His people would like to hear you too. Do you think you could pay them a little visit before you go?" "Sure." This new business was huge, and more than doubled the previous crowd. It seems that the two men had a conspiracy of sorts. If the first guy liked Charles, he would recommend him to the other. It was at this business that Charles got his first applause. It was so exciting he almost forgot his discouragement completely. It was more than enough to keep him going.
His next trip began with an interview at a local radio station. His host, after a short introduction asked Charles how much money he had spent on his campaign so far. Charles coughed and replied, "Well, I started a web site, which cost a little, and I pay my campaign manager some too. He doubles as my web guy too, so I've sort of got a two for one deal going." The radio jock jumped in, "So you're not some super millionaire who's going to run for office using his own money." Charles shook his head, forgetting momentarily that he was on the radio. His host continued, "And this is what makes your campaign so different, refreshingly so, I believe. Most guys who are not of the super rich variety start a political action committee and immediately begin fleecing us to moo-la. I always wonder if they're actually running or just trying to make a profit on the deal. But you, you're got something that is entirely different. Tell me about it."
The result of this interview was immediate. His web site enjoyed an upward swing in hits. Also, requests for personal appearences were increasing rapidly. He had to change the minimum audience from 20 to 50. Something had happened. He had no idea what.
His campaign had turned a corner.
It would be another three days before the teacher got back around to Charles' story. One class day was entirely devoted to singing. He wanted his charges to understand the importance of joy and gratitude in everything they did. He was not much of a musician, and there were no materials. Yet his students showed a remarkable ability to put word to note. Singing seemed as natural to them as breathing. Next, he followed his usual rotation and went back to science and mathematics.
Flashback: June, 2010
Charles was frustrated.
He had been pouring everything he had into the last few months with little results. Doubts began to form in his mind. Maybe it was a fool's errand after all. It was perhaps an idea whose time had not come. But, he was not quite willing to give up. Those concerns were never publically disclosed. They were resigned to moments when he was alone. He did get a boost early on when the health care bill passed. Most of his meetings were on video. Only a few were face to face.
He still had a couple of more get togethers, but inside he had already decided that if nothing changed in the next few weeks - it simply wasn't meant to be.
Flashforward to 2036:
"And," the teacher reminded them, "Like many people who have striven to accomplish great things; Just after all seems hopeless- something changes. In this case it was in what used to be Texas, Abilene, if I am not mistaken. Now, up to this point he would usually fly into town, do a meet and greet- speak, answer questions, and head back to the airport. Now, in this instance it happened that Charles had a couple of hours before his return flight. He was actually looking forward to spending the time by himself. This, he thought, would be his last trip.
Flashback to 2010:
When Charles finished answering questions his host, the owner of the company, walked over and shook his hand. "Charlie, he began, "Thanks again for coming. I really think your ideas are on the mark. I know you've got a little time before your return flight...." Charles thought he was going to give him a tour of the town. Instead. ".... a good friend of mine is just a mile or so up the road. His people would like to hear you too. Do you think you could pay them a little visit before you go?" "Sure." This new business was huge, and more than doubled the previous crowd. It seems that the two men had a conspiracy of sorts. If the first guy liked Charles, he would recommend him to the other. It was at this business that Charles got his first applause. It was so exciting he almost forgot his discouragement completely. It was more than enough to keep him going.
His next trip began with an interview at a local radio station. His host, after a short introduction asked Charles how much money he had spent on his campaign so far. Charles coughed and replied, "Well, I started a web site, which cost a little, and I pay my campaign manager some too. He doubles as my web guy too, so I've sort of got a two for one deal going." The radio jock jumped in, "So you're not some super millionaire who's going to run for office using his own money." Charles shook his head, forgetting momentarily that he was on the radio. His host continued, "And this is what makes your campaign so different, refreshingly so, I believe. Most guys who are not of the super rich variety start a political action committee and immediately begin fleecing us to moo-la. I always wonder if they're actually running or just trying to make a profit on the deal. But you, you're got something that is entirely different. Tell me about it."
The result of this interview was immediate. His web site enjoyed an upward swing in hits. Also, requests for personal appearences were increasing rapidly. He had to change the minimum audience from 20 to 50. Something had happened. He had no idea what.
His campaign had turned a corner.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Candidate of the Apocalypse
Episode 2: Year: 2036 Late September
Three days later they met again. The teacher tried to mix up the short time they had for class. On alternating days he would teach different subjects. One day would be devoted to the hard sciences including all disciplines associated with mathematics and engineering. Next time he would concentrate on literature, language arts and history. He referred to these as 'higher' subjects because his objective was to inculcate reasoning and critical thinking skills in his students. Teaching in these areas was challenging. Often he would have to make do with his memory: (Prodigious as it was.) particularly with regards to history. Textbooks were non-existant.
His students, of course, remembered his introduction from last time and pressed him to begin.
He nodded: "Let me see, this was quite a while back, Has it really been twenty six years? I haven't spoken his name in quite a while, it was...."
Flashback to March, 2010
"Charles? Are you ready? I'd like to hit lunch a little early. Got a one o'clock today."
The man he was addressing hung up the phone and stood, shaking his head. Reaching for his jacket-it was raining outside-he left the office and fell in step behind his friend.
"Who's driving?" His friend asked.
"You are. I'm paying."
A few minutes later they were sitting at a small diner waiting for their food. Charles was still agitated.
"That's the third vendor in the last month who has bailed on me."
"You have others don't you?"
"Of course, I have about fifty vendors, but that's not the point. This downturn is hitting everyone pretty hard."
From that point on the conversation turned to an oft-referred subject of late: politics. Both men had a strong feeling that the current economic situation was a symptom of worse conditions that the usual ups and downs of commerce. Every economic forecast was pessimistic. Business were shutting down at an alarming rate, and no new ones were forthcoming. The government, instead of helping things was exacerbating the problems. Something far more sinister was behind it all. To top things off, they were dissatisfied with the performance of both parties. No one seemed to be standing for the little guy.
Charles was speaking, "You know Abner, there's got to be something I can do, you know?"
His friend nodded, knowing Charlie was not the kind of guy who just let things go. "Well, you could run for office yourself. Wait, you're not wanting to get into politics, are you?"
"Actually I might, I'm seriously considering it. But..." It seemed an impossibility for a private individual. "How would I go about it? Politics is something I've steered away from all my life."
"The question is, how would we go about it. Let's think a little bit. There is a little more than two years to the next presidential election, so now is the time to act. People will need time to get to know you and decide. Promoting you will not be too hard. We can start with a web site to test the waters and if the response is positive you're on your way. We can learn as we go. If not, we can chalk it up as an idea whose time has not come."
"I guess that makes you my campaign manager as well as business partner."
"Looks that way"
The two men shook hands on the deal right there.
Flash forward to 2036
"And so," the teacher said, "this candidacy was a test, almost a joke really, considering the political climate of the day. It served to answer an obvious question. Could a single-minded individual with the right message and using the right tools take on the powers that be and survive?"
A week later a new site appeared on that used to be the World Wide Web. Charles introduced himself, explained his concerns, asking for like-minded people to respond. He also posted an article giving his take on current events in Washington and what he thought should be done. At the bottom of the page there was a note saying he would come to any group of 15 or more and speak to them personally, with no conditions except a request that they arrange transportation and lodging for him.
"Did people respond?" A student asked.
"Well, yes and no. He did get a fair number of supporters, But no requests to speak for more than three months."
"I guess that was the end of it for him."
"On the contrary, it was just the beginning. Now, I'm afraid we will have to continue this next time."
The bell was ringing. School had to be dismissed for the day.
Three days later they met again. The teacher tried to mix up the short time they had for class. On alternating days he would teach different subjects. One day would be devoted to the hard sciences including all disciplines associated with mathematics and engineering. Next time he would concentrate on literature, language arts and history. He referred to these as 'higher' subjects because his objective was to inculcate reasoning and critical thinking skills in his students. Teaching in these areas was challenging. Often he would have to make do with his memory: (Prodigious as it was.) particularly with regards to history. Textbooks were non-existant.
His students, of course, remembered his introduction from last time and pressed him to begin.
He nodded: "Let me see, this was quite a while back, Has it really been twenty six years? I haven't spoken his name in quite a while, it was...."
Flashback to March, 2010
"Charles? Are you ready? I'd like to hit lunch a little early. Got a one o'clock today."
The man he was addressing hung up the phone and stood, shaking his head. Reaching for his jacket-it was raining outside-he left the office and fell in step behind his friend.
"Who's driving?" His friend asked.
"You are. I'm paying."
A few minutes later they were sitting at a small diner waiting for their food. Charles was still agitated.
"That's the third vendor in the last month who has bailed on me."
"You have others don't you?"
"Of course, I have about fifty vendors, but that's not the point. This downturn is hitting everyone pretty hard."
From that point on the conversation turned to an oft-referred subject of late: politics. Both men had a strong feeling that the current economic situation was a symptom of worse conditions that the usual ups and downs of commerce. Every economic forecast was pessimistic. Business were shutting down at an alarming rate, and no new ones were forthcoming. The government, instead of helping things was exacerbating the problems. Something far more sinister was behind it all. To top things off, they were dissatisfied with the performance of both parties. No one seemed to be standing for the little guy.
Charles was speaking, "You know Abner, there's got to be something I can do, you know?"
His friend nodded, knowing Charlie was not the kind of guy who just let things go. "Well, you could run for office yourself. Wait, you're not wanting to get into politics, are you?"
"Actually I might, I'm seriously considering it. But..." It seemed an impossibility for a private individual. "How would I go about it? Politics is something I've steered away from all my life."
"The question is, how would we go about it. Let's think a little bit. There is a little more than two years to the next presidential election, so now is the time to act. People will need time to get to know you and decide. Promoting you will not be too hard. We can start with a web site to test the waters and if the response is positive you're on your way. We can learn as we go. If not, we can chalk it up as an idea whose time has not come."
"I guess that makes you my campaign manager as well as business partner."
"Looks that way"
The two men shook hands on the deal right there.
Flash forward to 2036
"And so," the teacher said, "this candidacy was a test, almost a joke really, considering the political climate of the day. It served to answer an obvious question. Could a single-minded individual with the right message and using the right tools take on the powers that be and survive?"
A week later a new site appeared on that used to be the World Wide Web. Charles introduced himself, explained his concerns, asking for like-minded people to respond. He also posted an article giving his take on current events in Washington and what he thought should be done. At the bottom of the page there was a note saying he would come to any group of 15 or more and speak to them personally, with no conditions except a request that they arrange transportation and lodging for him.
"Did people respond?" A student asked.
"Well, yes and no. He did get a fair number of supporters, But no requests to speak for more than three months."
"I guess that was the end of it for him."
"On the contrary, it was just the beginning. Now, I'm afraid we will have to continue this next time."
The bell was ringing. School had to be dismissed for the day.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Moving Day Checklist
A moving truck pulls up to an apartment where a bunch of people are expectantly waiting. The driver jumps out of the truck and runs to the back. Just before opening the door, he turns and says:
"All right! Glad you are all here! Before we begin, let me ask a few questions:
Have any of you had any kind of a back injury in the last 6 months?
Is anybody taking any pain medication?
What about medication for high blood pressure?
Diabetes?
Restless leg syndrome?
Did you all get at least 7 hours of sleep?
Have you taken your vitamins?
I have protein bars in the truck.
Do any of you have any qualms about lifting more than 70 lbs?
Have any suffered from depression or thoughts of suicide?
Great! Now once I've got your doctor's release forms, we'll begin!"
"All right! Glad you are all here! Before we begin, let me ask a few questions:
Have any of you had any kind of a back injury in the last 6 months?
Is anybody taking any pain medication?
What about medication for high blood pressure?
Diabetes?
Restless leg syndrome?
Did you all get at least 7 hours of sleep?
Have you taken your vitamins?
I have protein bars in the truck.
Do any of you have any qualms about lifting more than 70 lbs?
Have any suffered from depression or thoughts of suicide?
Great! Now once I've got your doctor's release forms, we'll begin!"
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