Slate

I rediscovered Slate the other day. It is an online magazine originally launched by Microsoft in 1996. I grew weary of its content in the late 90's, but I accidentally jumped to it through a link from Yahoo the other day and I read the article that prompted my Star Trek post.

After reading an article at Slate.com (note: some content herein is quoted from that article by Matthew Yglesias) we are paying attention to what is happening at the summit this week with Obama and the leaders of European Union. They are on the brink of "standardizing" regulations in order for multi-national mega-corporations to make even more profits. 

"No matter what analysis you read to the contrary about how this will benefit you and me, let it be known that is "bull shit. These political animals are once again helping corporations earn hundreds of millions of more dollars by allowing them to market only one set of products that will fit every Nation's guidelines.

Negotiators in trade agreements become lobbyists for their respective countries'

entrenched business interests rather than stewards of their citizens' interests. And that's especially likely to happen when normal people tune out. 

Think about how much money it costs a company like Ford that builds vehicles for countries in the EU with so-so emission standards to have separate assembly lines to finish vehicles that meet California's high emissions standards.

The current way regulations are set "trade block by trade block" isn't a barrier to trade as much as a restriction on profits and monopolies. Yes, for smaller firms, the cost of research, planning, staffing, engineering, etc. to meet different standards is often more expensive than it's worth. But it reminds me of the Federation's "Prime Directive": America, Germany, and Britain, et. al. are trying to apply their influence on societies and economies that have not evolved on their own, to satisfy their billionaire cronies. 

In Obama's State of the Union address this year he mentioned his support for this controversial TTIP that human rights groups say will impede access to medicines and degrade labor standards.

The US is so large that a single set of rules can apply across a very large market. The European Union is a more recent innovation, but its core economic achievement has been the creation of a U.S. style integrated marketplace. TTIP (the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) could bridge the two, creating a single set of standards for a marketplace covering half the world's GDP.

It is happening, and no matter how dull it sounds, it's going to be a really big deal. TTIP would be the biggest trade pact of all time. It creates a trading bloc from California to Romania, encompassing almost half the world's total economic output. It would also reach into public policy areas people don't think of as pertaining to trade. 

TTIP would rework virtually every federal regulatory scheme, providing opportunities for huge new economic efficiencies but also for dramatic levels of malfeasance if, for example, banks use it as a pretext to undermine post-crisis financial regulations.

America could adopt European-style lax rules about bank capital while Europe is pushed to embrace American-style light regulation of hedge funds. The EU is eager to change rules that prevent European airlines from flying on U.S. routes. Injecting that kind of competition might reduce the recent trend toward higher airfares. But it could also push one or more American airlines back into the cycle of bankruptcy and job losses.

Right now, both the FDA and its European counterpart insist on inspecting pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. That's sensible, but does any given plant really need to be inspected by both agencies, or could they work out terms for a mutual recognition agreement in which a thumbs-up from the FDA would be good enough to sell a product in Europe?"

Are you listening? 

BTW .... we recently realized that SILENT has the same letters as LISTEN ........hmmm

Utopia

Many humans have the taste of greed and seek the thrill of power. But there are millions of good folks quietly going about life, taking care of their own and their neighbors. 

Unfortunately, most who seek wealth and power are corrupted by wealth and power. 

But there are thousands of people with means who support thousands of charitable organizations. That is the good news; giving and caring is still in their heart.

Of all animals, humans are the ones that figured out how to mass produce food and shelter. The result is that they have too much time and energy for pursuing whatever their minds can conjure and imagine. In too many cases this results in abhorrent behaviors.

I hesitate at times to "report" this negative truth, but too often I am reminded in the news and in my neighborhood of the victims. I don't hear or read enough about this under belly of humans, and somehow I am gifted with the observational and writing skills to tell it like it is.

It helps me keep balanced when I get it out of my system and then focus on the love and beauty in my life with Elley and Lola.

Namaste

Robby

Star Trek

This Post is inspired by Matthew Yglesias at Slate.com. Some of the content herein is directly quoted from his article.

"In the second episode of the 7th season of the fourth Star Trek television series, Icheb, an alien teenager spouts: “Isn’t that what people on this ship do? They help each other?" 

This impressionable young man brings a certain clarity to the Star Trek franchise. In 5 television series and 11 films, people on the Federation ships and space stations DO try to help each other. That's the whole Utopian point Gene Roddenberry was making since it first aired on Sept. 8, 1966.

The standard line among Trek apologists is that the franchise is not just a lot of sci-fi nonsense but a meaningful exploration of humanity. My own observations of the human condition, as 1 of 7 billion now on this planet, is that we have a long way to go to reach Star Trek's lofty goals. 

Among Trek’s kaleidoscope of Vulcans and Androids, holograms and shape-shifters, there is always a particular take on what it means to be human: participation in an ongoing progressive project of building a Utopian society. That now-anachronistic spirit of mid-20th century optimism has remained at the heart of Star Trek, and its spin-offs. It’s a big part of why I believe Gene Roddenberry was a prophet along the likes of John Lennon.

Captain Kirk’s multi-racial crew piloted the "Enterprise" at a time when segregation was a subject of ongoing political controversy. Lieutenant Uhura is a black woman whose name means “freedom” in Swahili and who served as an officer aboard a starship at a time when there were no female astronauts or military officers, and black characters on television were more likely to be maids than professionals. Equally striking, given the political context of its era, is Ensign Pavel Chekov, navigator and proud Russian nationalist. The show asked audiences to imagine a seemingly amicable resolution of the very-real-at-the-time Cold War.

“To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.” 

This line is so famous today as to be a cliché. The Federation is engaged in something like a Cold War with the Klingon Empire. But its premiere Starship "Enterprise" is not a military vessel and has no sharply defined political agenda. We hoped Obama would be this kind of President. He has not been.

Kirk establishes diplomatic relations with new species and tries to play a constructive role in the galaxy, but he’s not there to open new markets to Federation goods or to assist one side or another in proxy wars. The values that triumph in the Star Trek universe are a mantra that united liberals before the "Tet Offensive" and the riots and assassinations in American cities in the late 1960's, and then Watergate in the 70's. Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?

The message of peace, progress, and tolerance all happen to be great ideas our "Baby-Boomer" generation assumed would triumph over evil. It hasn't happened.  

On Jean-Luc Picard’s bridge, years later, there is a Klingon, a token of a new spirit of friendship between the Federation and that evil Empire. And the crew includes a blind man whose sight has been restored by technology and a sentient android with human rights and a Starfleet commission. This team’s “continuing mission” has the same broad and peaceful mandate as Kirk’s, and their conduct is precisely the opposite of gunboat diplomacy. Picard explains in Star Trek: First Contact that “money doesn’t exist in the 24th century,” when “the acquisition of wealth is no longer the driving force in our lives.” Instead, “we work to better ourselves and the rest of humanity.”

And it could hardly be otherwise. Consider the miraculous technology of their replicator, a machine that can seemingly create anything out of thin air, based on rudimentary raw materials plus energy. Aren't we at the cusp of such miracles with 3-D printers making guns? 

When computers and energy can substitute for productive human labor, either the energy supply will be controlled democratically for Federation-style liberal socialism, or else it will fall into the hands of some narrow clique and give us the fascistic authoritarianism of the Klingons, the Romulans, or the Cardassians. Under those circumstances, nothing resembling capitalism as we know it could survive. 

As Marx wrote in his "Critique of the Gotha Program", the material prosperity made possible by ever-better technology is the necessary precursor to an economic system ruled by the principle, “from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” And that’s the principle the Federation lives by. Is that what is happening in China in our 21st century?  

Or ......

On Deep Space Nine, there’s a focus on the importance of maintaining civil liberties even in the face of very real security threats. Remember when Sisko and two crew members travel back to 21st century Earth, where they help shake the powers that be out of their complacency about mass unemployment. Even the Ferengi come around by the end and start adopting gender equality and a welfare state." 

It underscores the truth, that unlike the Star Trek Universe, on Real Earth great human power emerges from missions often rooted in the "name" of helping the oppressed, and sometimes are even given the title "peaceful diplomacy". But often is the case, even in the name of religion, powerful, ego-maniacal humans are ultimately greedy. They terrorize and control the people. 

And as in the words Jar-Jar Binks, an alien depicted in the sister universe of "Star Wars", "the people, they're going to die."

I'm Going to Make Him an Offer He Can't Refuse

Mission accomplished!  Casey and I made it out, and back, to Borrego Springs in 7 hours and 15 minutes. Subtracting the drive time of four hours, it took us 3+ hours to put up new shower walls at my rental. 

During that time, we had a visit with Dave, who happened to be hanging out in the desert for the weekend, soaking up the heat, taking photos and marveling at the stark terrain, beauty and contrasts; no rugged, remote dirt road inaccessible since he got his Toyota Toy.

The focus of conversation during our drive was See Beneath, Inc., Casey's non-profit organization, dedicated to producing animated educational videos for young children and families impacted by Autism. Working on and fundraising for this organization is an integral part of Casey's life. 

With my background in non-profits  (Hospice, Special Olympics, MS Society, KidXpress, Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, etc.)  I feel qualified to discuss his plans and ideas. He was headed to a dinner meeting with the other two co-founders, Jim and Guerin, to discuss an August celebration and fundraising event.  

I believe a missed opportunity for Casey is to approach close family and friends, outside of events and online fundraising tools, to ask for their support as part of their annual giving. Most people who earn a good living, or are comfortable in retirement, know that to manage their federal tax burden, it is wise to give generously. It is better to support tax deductible "good work" than to pour more money into the "hands" of government and their waste, greed, and unaccountable decision making.

This Blog is not the place for fundraising, but I will ask you to consider giving generously to the 501-C-3 certified See Beneath, Inc. as part of your annual giving. Thanks!

Borrego Springs

The Durango Kid was a character featured in sixty-four films made between 1940 and 1952. The lead character was played by Charles Starrett and the film series had titles as diverse as the mountain-desert region in which they were filmed: "Cyclone Fury", "Quick on the Trigger" and "Roaring Rangers".

Charles Starrett died of cancer in 1986 in Borrego Springs, where lots of the footage for his films was shot. He has to be considered one of its most famous citizens. I uncovered these tidbits this morning as I was contemplating my drive out to Borrego Springs today to redo the shower walls in my condo at Club Circle.

I am always amazed to find out more about the history, geography, archeology, paleontology, hikes and natural wonders in and around one of my favorite places on Earth. I have explored and shared my experiences in the Anza-Borrego State Park with a number of friends. We have camped, 4x4'd, slithered through the Slot and stood in awe gazing at some of the most unique natural formations on the planet at Font's Point, Split Mountain, the Carizzo Badlands, Hawk Canyon and Blair Valley.

But today is a quick trip, after I pick up Casey at the airport. This was the weekend he was flying down to hang out with me at the hospital after open heart surgery. The plane tickets had been purchased, and he has to be in LA Monday for work, so we'll get a chance to chat during the 108 minute drive out east and back. He'll help me make fast work of installing the acrylic wall kit I bought at HD.

Next time you are looking for an adventure in San Diego County, give me a shout and we'll head out to Old Borego for an experience that will fill you with wonder.

Bury Your Head in the Sand

As I was driving to a customer's home around noon yesterday, I listened to Mr. Credit's SoCal's noon hour radio show. I stumbled upon this broadcast 6 months ago 'cause it is on the LA ESPN AM affiliate. I called in once about my desire to buy a house, wondering what the Host knew about getting a mortgage after having gone through a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure. I am on his email list and check in to the show now and again to listen to his local team of professionals. 

Yesterday they were talking about a market correction that I have heard other talking heads "go on" about in the past month. I usually ignore financial discussions by "experts" because I don't know anything about the markets and I don't trust their advice.

But it made me think that I should probably ask for some advise from a friend who spent his career working in the financial industry and I trust to be honest with his feedback. So I emailed him this morning.

Elley and I chat about political, economic, and health care "realities" now and again. Generally, we are both disgusted with the "system." 

Recently we got very worked up about the Monsanto "truth" that has finally reached the national consciousness. Last night we heard the news reports about the genetically altered wheat that has "mysteriously re-appeared" in Oregon. Click here to Listen to Steven Colbert's show from June 5th to learn the scary truth. 

Frankly, it takes folks like us a lot of patience, philosophy, centering, and lets face it, a huge amount of "burying your head in the sand" to cope with what we know is going on in Congress, the CIA, the Federal Reserve, the well calculated movement to undermine Medicare and Social Security, corporate greed, abused workers, etc. etc. etc.

We invoke poetic-balancing-mantras like "don't worry, be happy" and "everything happens for a reason," to stay safe and isolated inside our own little worlds. With my current health challenges, and a lot of unknowns about the future for our families and friends, it is a lot easier to maintain this perspective than to get worked about things we can't control. 

At one point in my life, 40 years ago, I thought I would be more involved on a bigger scale. But as things unfolded, I found myself "thinking globally, but acting locally."** Certainly my involvement in the Vets project 2 days ago follows this line of thinking. I am always curious to hear how others are coping. Leave behind a Comment below or send me an email if you would like to join this discussion.

** "Think global, act local" ...... attributed to Scots town planner and social activist Patrick Geddes, around 1915. There is an intended irony to including this phrase for Alexandra ..... it is an inside story :>)

Home Depot

This is not an advertisement, endorsement, suggestion, or anything resembling any of those things. It's just the title I chose for my Post about giving back and passing it forward.

Early this morning, I joined fellow workers and management from my HD store at a local apartment complex. We were hosting a project sponsored by HD's national charitable arm. We gathered with $70,000 worth of products that were to be installed by over 100 volunteers to upgrade the living environment for the Veterans who live there.

My piece of the action was to direct a crew of workers to build 5 redwood benches with planter boxes. I designed the bench the other day, built the prototype and created a materials list. All the wood was on-site when I arrived and in a manner of 3 hours my team had cut all the wood and assembled the benches pictured here.

The highlight of my day was the hour I spent between 6:30-7:30am talking to one of the Vets about his journey through drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness and recently being "saved." It was an interesting conversation as we related to each others' enjoyment of golf and our philosophical perspective on life's journey; he in his early 50's and me in my early 60's.

Today was supposed to be my surgery. But with the delay documented here over the past week, I was able to participate in this project and join my company in helping folks in my community. It felt good to know we would be impacting the lives of 72 Vets by beautifying their exterior and the interior of their temporary homes, provided to them for free by a local church group.

Have you had a opportunity to do something for someone else recently? I recommend it. Get outside of your life and pass something positive forward. Making $$ donations is always a good thing, but physically taking time to give, pays you back it bigger ways.

I am thankful I had the chance to be out there today. Thank you Universe for delaying my surgery.

Super Heroes

The entertaining part of the latest Star Trek and Iron Man movies is the banter between the characters. In spite of the unrealistic fight scenes and gratuitous deaths, these movies were still fun. We plan on going to see Superman, After Earth, Mud, Now You See Me, Elysium, and The Lone Ranger, but will wait a few months for the DVD version of 42, Olympus Has Fallen, Kon Tiki, The Great Gatsby, and Pain and Gain.

I have no interest in zombies or vampires and dislike anything set in the middle ages or medieval times. World War Z and The Game of Thrones are not on my radar. I thoroughly enjoy movies and TV shows that depict an era in a more realistic light, such as Vikings, Deadwood, Downton Abbey, and Lincoln. Teenage comedies like The Hangover and The Big Bang Theory, or anything with Steve Carell or Will Farrell, I find depressing, but recommend adult comedies like Doc Marten and Whites.

"I get no kick from champagne. Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all. Yet I get a kick out of you." (Now that's an old school brain hiccup appearing out of nowhere.) Our current idea of Super Heroes includes the likes of Doc Martin with his Aspergers, Dexter with his twisted sense of justice, and Jack Taylor, the alcoholic Irish PI with a strong "gut" for the truth. And here's raising a glass to one of our all-time favorite Monk.

If you are like us, and have unplugged cable and satellite TV, and are looking for shows on Hulu, NetFlix, Amazon Prime, etc. we also recommend Longmire, The Booth at the End, Dexter, and 6 Feet Under. Let us know what you are watching.  

You Talkin' to Me?

An letter shared with everyone that happens by:

Dear Dr. J,  (My Lifestyle Physician)

I want to recap our conversation yesterday and highlight the "take-aways," while placing it in our "community" consciousness, and also add it to the ranks of monumental discussions I have had during the past 40 years.

I do believe that a new kind of organization/business/corporation has an opportunity to rise from the ashes of what is already occurring and about to get worse, that being this time of transition in the financial realities of Medicare and Obamacare.

I see this new business operating in cities across America. I see this business as being for profit, interdisciplinary, incorporating many healing arts and healthy lifestyle modalities that have become increasing more accepted, utilized, and mainstream. This includes Massage, Exercise, Acupuncture, Proper Diet, Chiropractic, the Herbal Arts, Naturopathics, Homeopathics, Coaching, etc.

This business will be intentionally structured to be a pay as you go enterprise. It is not, and would not, have anything to do with health insurance. I believe, and the free enterprise system has already proven, that people will pay good money out of pocket for diets, gyms, massage, coaching, supplements, books, videos, etc. without even blinking an eye or believing that these retail costs of improving their health and well being has anything to do with Health Insurance reimbursement and/or the "healthcare industry."

Our baby boomer generation is not without financial resources. We care about our longevity and want to invest in our well being in order to enjoy our final 30 years. We want to be active, travel, volunteer, and be healthy enough to do all these things and more. 

As we discussed yesterday, there is a whole new generation following us that is filled with former athletes and military men and women who enter the business world and become financially successful. Their success is built on the foundation of their understanding of teamwork, self-discipline, work ethic, commitment to exercise and their general understanding that healthier is wealthier. They invest time and money in making sure they do not slip into the bad habits of fast food and sloth.

I have discussed this holistic approach to life at different stages of my journey with my "gang". My awareness of the lifestyle that nurtures mind, body and spirit, while being mindful of our carbon footprint, and being personally committed to actively participating in caring about Mother Earth started in 1977. I always get excited when I meet someone new and there appears on the horizon strong energy for teaming together to make real change in the landscape.

Any and all feedback is welcome,    Robby

Our Gang

Writing is addictive. When Elley came home yesterday and told me that Dianna has been following my posts, it reminded me that there are probably a number of people I know who are stopping by as part of their daily Internet routine to have a look at these words and images.

Our gang has grown on many fronts. Jonathan, who I originally met at a MeetUp function, stopped by our apartment yesterday on his way south after having attended an event in the LA area that is at the foundation of his new partnership in the further development of his "Healthier is Wealthier" mission. He hadn't read my poem Lost and Found, but has generally been keeping up on the "rash" and the cumulative events of the past couple of weeks.

Last night, a number of our friends from work joined us at the Old Spaghetti Factory to celebrate my now delayed vacation from the daily routine we share at The Home Depot in South Oceanside. The gathering took on another focus that I will not detail here, other than to say we will miss our departing Boss. Richard attended, and it reminded me he had kidded with Elley during the day when he was showing her how much she resembled her Dad Tommy, while showing her Tommy's image from yesterday's post on his smart phone.

All of these folks are part of our gang. I wish I had a copy of one of the photos taken last night to upload here, but suffice it to say it was a fine gathering of the usual suspects seen around the Pro Desk and Specialty Dep'ts (and of course Patrick, Jill and the organizer/momma/goddess Athena).


If they lived closer, I know would be seeing lots of Jud and Tabs these days, and I always appreciate their comments, feedback and support. I feel you brothers.

And to the rest of you, mostly anonymous members of our gang, thanks for being there/here. I feel your collective spirit.






In Memoriam: We lost a fellow traveler and member of our gang, Billy Martin on May 22nd. I had not seen Billy since the 1970's, but Tabs get me posted over the years about his good work and his family. I have incredibly strong and fond memories of his mom Ella, and the years Billy and our team spent together at Princeton Day School. All of us who you touched Billy are saddened by your early departure, but Billy's place in our hearts and spirit is permanently etched.

Happy Trails to You, Until We Meet Again

I have decided to let go of the current march toward 70 days of journaling. My poem yesterday, Lost and Found, is a fitting Mantra that I will be referring to during the next 6 weeks. It reflects the energy I am invoking at this plateau.

June 1st is as good a day as any to report that I will begin anew at some point in July with a countdown of my feelings about my open heart surgery. As you may already know, it has been delayed until July 15th, due to the allergic reaction I had to the iodine contrast dye they used in my angiogram.

I used to end emails with the salutation Happy Trails because I have fond memories of the song from "The Roy Rogers Show" in the 1950's (happy trail now has a new meaning in the Urban dictionary). Click on the song title in the sentence above and you will be transported to a clip I found online. It is a soothing reminder of days of yore.

There is a little housekeeping I'd like to do here before I sign off. Elley and I just completed watching all 3 seasons of Deadwood on HBO. Since I got onto a cowboy theme here, it is fitting to note that we thoroughly enjoyed the writing, directing, and most of all the acting in this recounting of the true story of Deadwood, South Dakota. I recommend this series to anyone who likes intense drama and anything about the "old West" of America's history. Yes, the language is disgusting, but it is a true to life reflection of those very harsh times.

A special thanks to Tina for giving us access to HBOgo and for planning the dinner party we're having tonight at The Spaghetti Factory in San Marcos with our Home Depot friends. The gathering was originally intended to be a launching pad for my 8 weeks leave of absence, but now we'll focus on celebrating the end of a great era at our store with the departure of our fearless leader David Yee.

In closing, I cannot leave a Post that has a western theme without including a photo of Elley's father Tommy Farrell, a true cowboy who appeared in many westerns on TV and in the movies. Here is a toast and a tip of the hat to the man who always makes Elley smile everytime she thinks about him.