What is torture?

I watched a video in which a journalist bet that he could withstand waterboarding for 15 seconds. The person who was going to administer the "test" was covered so you could not see his face. He explained to the journalist that he WOULD NOT be able to last that long. The journalist was strapped to a board with his head slightly down and feet a little higher. He was given an object to drop on the floor to stop the test.

Then the waterboarding began.

The journalist dropped the object within about 5 seconds! He then explained how he could not breathe because the water was going up his nose. He stated that his brain was telling his body to breath and that his heart was racing incredibly. THIS WAS AFTER ABOUT 5 SECONDS.

If I remember correctly, the man administering the "test" did not think waterboarding was torture. Are you kidding? Someone please tell me what torture is if this is not torture.

This is like saying only the Japanese tortured people during WW2 but we didn't. Yeah. Right. Or that only the North Vietnamese committed terrible atrocities during the Vietnam fiasco. We, Americans, only went over there to "help" these people who could not help themselves.

Don't misunderstand me. I don't condone torture no matter what side of the flag you are on. If my telling you something, even a lie, is going to stop the torture, I may just tell you something.

Man's inhumanity to man. Unbelievable the lengths we humans will go to in the name of justice, religion, etc.

Hurts, Doesn't It?

There seems to be a lot of talk about Sonia Sotomayor's decision against the White firefighters. Discrimination is a b@#$, isn't it? There is also noise about her statement that a Latina woman might make a different decision than a White man.

African Americans (Hispanics, etc.) have suffered discrimination for decades and decades. So now, you (White firefighters, Joe the plumber, etc) know how that feels.

As for the second statement, she was talking about her experiences and how they would relate to decisions she might make, if I understand her statement correctly. As an African American woman, who grew up in Harlem and North Carolina during the sit-ins, busrides for freedom, the murder of Emmet Til, the murders of King, the Kennedys, etc., I certainly would have a different slant on things than a white man who grew up in Long Island where Blacks could be servants but could not go to the country clubs. If I were a judge, however, I would have to follow the law and not just my feelings.

So for the Rush Limbaughs and the other dipsticks, give it a rest! If Sotomayor were a white male, you would not have anything to say - and you know it. This is so blatant, it's pathetic. We can see who the real racists are!

Supreme Choice

Glad the Pres selected a Latina woman as nomination for the Supreme Court. And from the Boogie Down Bronx! (Only New Yorkers, past or present can appreciate that point.) All the naysayers might as well go sit down. A Black president and Latina woman on the highest court in the land. GO TEAM!!!!

Thanks

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you who read my blogs on a regular. I do appreciate it. Keep reading and feel free to respond.

Thanks

Can we get an Amen?

Had a talk with a young lady today about not getting responses or comments on her blog. She said her freinds. etc., have been informed of her blog. I assume their responses are positive. They will verbally inform her that they have read her posts or like what they read but none of them have responded with a comment on the blog itself. Why is that?

I have a similar problem. I have several people on my email lists from both of my blogs and I've only gotten a couple of comment/responses. I am indeed happy for those responses ( and to know that I have a couple of followers) but I get the same answers. "Oh yes, I read your last post. It was good" or "You really upset the apple cart this time" or whatever.

So the question is, how do we get folks who read to comment (hopefully positively even if they disagree)? I know that I like to comment on posts that speak to me in some way. I'm in several writing groups on Linkedin and I visit the groups regularly and try to comment on posts that I feel I can contribute to. Sometimes the comment is as simple as "good luck on your book" or my opinion on whatever the post was about.

Anyway, all bloggers would appreciate your comments to whatever posts speak to you. I would prefer comments on the comments link at the bottom of the post itself but a comment is a comment. So to those who regularly read my posts, I sincerely thank you. I am grateful for the opportunity to do what I enjoy which is to write. Look forward to hearing from you.

Law of the Garbage Truck

HOW TRUE THIS IS!!

Law of the Garbage Truck. One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets... The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it, ninety percent how you take it! Have a garbage-free day!

Another goodie sent by a friend.

D E S I D E R A T A

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.


Sent to me by a friend. Thought I would share it with you.