Amusing

To muse is to ponder, reflect, think about, deliberate or weigh thoughtfully. When ‘a’ is added as the prefix in amuse, it means ‘not to’ ponder, think about, etc. Much of today’s culture is centered around entertainment/amusement. I believe to a fault and consequently to our detriment as a society. If I walk up to the next 10 guys I see, I’ll bet most would be able to tell me, at least, 3 players from 5 NFL teams. If I asked the same guys to give me 5 of 13* virtues, their expression would be that of a “deer-in-the headlights.” It is not a stretch to conclude, that they care more about the NFL than virtue. If I wanted to be tough on them, I could always ask them to define virtue, or maybe list the 1^st ten amendments to our constitution, or to name our three founding documents.

I am embarrassed to admit my knowing Kim Kardashian is pregnant with Kanye West’s baby. But, in today’s culture, that is “News” which must be communicated in every format; so, the simple act of turning on my computer brings me to this profound information. The Captain once quipped “ If Lindsey, Paris or Brittany have any impact on your life; your life sucks!” He never imagined how many more names would be added.

One of the saddest commentaries on the Sandy Hook tragedy were stories, about a week later, concerning movie producers losing millions of dollars by delaying the release of “Jack Reacher” and “Django Unchained”. Evidently, it is very important to get violent movies released, as early as possible, for the “Holiday Season”!

I know I’m still in the early stages of my self-imposed ‘political rehab’. Although I think I am slowly recovering, let me just reiterate for a moment, Today’s political scene is not the cause of our problems, but the revealing symptom of our problem as a nation and society; likened to having our tumor on the outside of our body. The unfortunate people who consider President Obama, or any of our current political class, great men/women; have never experienced or studied “Greatness”. Mr. Obama is, in many ways, the perfect fit for President in our culture. He is shallow, an unwavering political ideologue, at best; a intellectual lightweight, economically illiterate, and geopolitically misguided. Yet, his strongest appeal to both “low-life” and the “well-heeled” is his likeability and their deeming him to be “cool”.

I am determined to focus on improving our country by influencing others to reach higher, think on better things and live better lives. The collective “WE” never accomplishes squat. Therefore, starting with “ME”, I am going to improve!

*Per Ben Franklin:

Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversations Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; that is, waste nothing Industry: Lose not time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly; speak accordingly Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think you deserve Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles or accidents common or unavoidable Chastity: Rarely use venery but for "health or offspring; never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates