Friday, January 29, 2010

Hazing

So I was reading this news story today about some hazing that took place at a sorority at Rutgers University. Now I am not sure I quite agree with Hazing being an issue in this instance. In something like the US Armed Forces (where you are doing a job and the only way you do that job is to go through Basic) I think that hazing is a huge issue. In something like a fraternity or sorority I dont see why its an issue. If someone is dumb enough to let someone not give them food or paddle them than thats their fault. Just don't join the stupid sorority. I mean I dont think hazing is good at all, but lets take some personal responsibility of the dumb people who just let this happen to themselves. Take some responsibility for yourself and just leave!

maybe more on this later....

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

dreams

It always fascinates me when I dream. I know very little about what actually goes on in your dreams, but you have to wonder why you mind puts certain things together and makes those things into a story. And you also have to wonder why have nightmares? Do they serve a purpose or is it just coincidence that they are scary or whatever?

It also makes me think of how advanced a system our brain is. To think that our entire body, both our voluntary and involuntary systems, is being run all the time by our brain is almost unfathomable. It always makes me think just how interesting an adaptation a brain is. The only advantage I can see that our relatively weak body and our strong brains is the ability to not be limited to one environment. For a long time I thought that was kind of silly since, without technology, we are completely helpless. I am getting more and more into MF's camp of our evolution being technology. Just a thought

" how to cope with adult children"

So while reading the news this morning (usually I try and hit the major news networks (CNN and FOX) and then a couple other smaller local news things. Its interesting to see what stations report on what stories. Anyway today well reading Boston.com I came across a story on Nancy Kerrigans brother.

For those of you that don't know the story Nancy Kerrigans brother is accused of getting in a fist fight (fists, pushing) with his father. Later that day his father died. I am not sure whether they are charging the brother with murder or what is the status of that. Thats not what this post is about. This post is about the idea of an "adult child"

I would like to disclaim this by saying I am in no means a mental health professional. I also know that mental issues exist and that those definitely have an effect on people. Having read through this story I can find no evidence that Daniel Kerrigan (the brother) had any proven mental issues beyond PTSD. Please find the story here

The idea that this fellow is an "adult child" is ridiculous. Is that a nice way of saying that he turned into an asshole? The guy drinks excessively, beat his ex wife and his mother, has been in and out a jail along with other things. If anything that is the definition of being an asshole. I am sick of everything being a disorder. This guy wasn't sick he was just not a nice guy.

The fact that the family just did all of his chores and fed his pets and took care of him after so many times in jail, to me, is sickening. I know that I have a very harsh, black and white view on right and wrong. I readily acknowledge that. But by doing everything for this guy its not helping anything. I mean this is Pavlovs dog here guy. If you keep doing the same thing when he has bad behavior (ie beating his mother) then he is going to keep doing it.

I just hate when the media and people blame a disease. This isn't a disease its a bad guy. Every time you make another stupid disease it just takes away from people who are actually sick.


Ps. I also realize that this headline could be taken as dealing with a child of yours who becomes an adult. If that is the case in this instance, then fine. My thoughts remain the same for plenty of other cases though

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Religion

Ok so I can't find the quote I was looking for to put into this entry. Although I can't find the quote I will do my best to paraphrase it for everyone reading.

So first lets set the scene. The world that this story takes place on is a fantasy world. There are like 7 million gods, one for just about anything you can think of. That being said we show our character, an older guy who is a really powerful magic guy. He has what he calls a personal relationship with his God, he calls her his red lady or something to that affect. When we first show the main character of the story he is sickened and offended to learn that this magic guy doesn't show the god proper respect and confronts him. The older mage simply says that he has a personal relationship with the god and will not change or explain that to anyone.

Obviously that was not the best telling of the story, but it pretty much sums up what I think about religion. Earlier today I read CV's post on religion and it really got me thinking. He talked bout how he was Catholic because he wanted to be and didn't forward messages on to people usually having a religious undertone so that people dont feel uncomfortable. I totally agree with him. But, from a religious standpoint, it bothers me when any person pushes their religion on people.

I am Catholic so I will speak from the Catholic view point. I myself am not a huge believer in the Bible as a end all book, I think of it more as a collection of parables that can be used to teach someone how to live a good life. (Yes that includes the New Testament being one big parable, but thats for another post) But for many hard core "Catholics" that book is the end all be all. Right in the Bible it says to mind your own business and let others do what they will. I think it would be great if people just remembered to worry about themselves and not push anything (including religion) on others.

For those who don't believe the Bible specifically says mind your own buisness please see the below versus from the Gospel according to Matthew.

Matthew Chapter 6
1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Yes I understand that is very long and Catholic, but really what it says is this. Mind your business and lead a good life. Really a message all can live by.

music

So it always amazes me how linked music and the brain is. As I was doing my ironing this morning I listened to music on shuffle, its kind of become a morning ritual for me. You hear so many different songs, its a great start to the day. This morning three Foo Fighters songs came on and I was amazed at the different memories that popped up with each song. One brought me back to Roger Williams and hanging in Stonewall with Greg and Steve. Another brought me back to the days of TRL on MTV and watching the video for the first time and thinking it was pretty cool. It just amazes me that your brain locks things away like that and a simple song can bring back a flood of ideas/memories.

That being said I want to get back into guitar. Anyone have guitar tuner? OR for that matter anyone have an electric guitar I can buy? I think that my acoustic is on its way out, but I have to go back and try, its been so long.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Disjointed thoughts of the seasons

So this is the first time this year that I have been hit with a little bit of the winter blues. Usually I have a miserable tie in the winter, all the dark and all that, but this year I only just had my first thought of "Gosh I wish it was summer". I am very excited about that.

That being said I am looking forward to the warmer weather. I really want to get up to Maine (they are doing work on it now, so as soon as I can I will be up there) I love being able to walk around not in a bulky jacket and I love having it be sunny all the time! I also always think of summer as a time to really hang out with people. Yes you can def hang out with people during the winter (I do almost every weekend), but I feel like activities are severely limited in the winter. A good summer BBQ is just what we need.

That being said I always find that the winter is a very interesting time to reflect on what is going on inside of my brain. During the summer things are always moving and I feel like I can always run around outside or do whatever, during the winter there is a lot more sitting inside and turning inwards.

That being said this is my winter thoughts on myself and life.

1. I really miss school, but not as much as I used to
This one needs some major clarification. Yes I miss the people of course, but I also miss the availability. It was very easy to just run up to the 03 deck and get some 4/C together to play some frisbee or something like that. There was so much talking at things like lunch or study hours that I miss the massive amount of people and the huge difference in how they think. I think that this has been less so this year because of the great group of friends that I have now. Of course I have two of my longest and best friends (Greg and Ash) but this year has brought a plethora of others, all from different back grounds and with different ways of thinking (I am not going to name you all, but you know who you are.) It has also helped that some of these great people are at work so I get to see them during the day and have a little break from my data manipulation

2. I have turned into a lazy slob
Ok so not exactly a slob, but I have gotten very lazy. I used to be active all the time, but now I haven't played frisbee or gone for a run in a don't know how long. That is ending this week, today is the first day of running and working out again. Anyone who wants to play frisbee, run, or do anything at all physical or outside please let me know, its always fun with a buddy.

3. I need to continue things
I have always been one of those people who start things and then stop. Writing, camping, guitar have all been things that I absolutely love to do, but for some reason don't do them. I think this links back to the above and I just need to get off my ass and do them. Anyone have a guitar tuner?

4. I need a hobby
So I think this also links to numbers 2 and 3, but I want to get into something and do it as a hobby. I have guitar (which I really want to get into again), but I feel like having something to occupy my mind(instead of TV) would be really good. I know that a few people have done genealogy, maybe thats something I could try. Or I could continue my shot glass collection and actually hang them up and display them, instead of just leaving them in my closet. Thoughts?

So this isn't all that goes on in my head, but a short glimpse of the major things that have been in my head lately. If anyone has any comments/hobbies or anything else def let me know! Comments are encouraged!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

If you break the law you aren't a victim, you are a criminal

Ok so click here and read this story. Why are the two students who robbed a student the victims here? It doesn't matter what they stole, they took something that didn't belong to them. I am glad that this kids chances of joining the Marine Corp are "dim" I hope they are NILL. The law is very black and white about things like this. If you take something that isn't yours that is called stealing. You know that when you are a high school sophomore so don't whine about it when you get caught and tried.

This goes back to the idea of responsibility. Why are so many kids now playing the victims when they are actually breaking the law? Because they can get away with it. People (especially parents) often times don't want their child in jail, regardless of what they have done. Well that makes perfect sense, but its not the parents decision it's the legal systems. The whole reason we have that is to cut out issues like this. The law says one thing, if you go against what that one thing said you are guilty and go to jail. Severity is taken into account, but just because something is small doesn't mean its anymore legal. Theft under 500$ is still theft whether the item cost $499 or $0.01.

It sickens me that the news reports things like this. The kid broke the law. He is 16 thats plenty old enough to know right from wrong. He should get in trouble the same way an 18 year old would.

Freedom of Information Act

So today I got an email from the Maine Inland department of Fish and Game. They are who I buy my fishing license and(once I start hunting again) my hunting license from. I do it online since its much to difficult to drive to Maine and find a place that is open on the weekends that sells the permits. The email stated that the department had a Freedom of Information request for their email list. They brought the issuer to court with the opinion that their email list is not public information and should be kept private. They lost and now must release their email list, including my email to whoever initiated the Freedom of Information request.

I am not quite sure how to deal with this. At first I was not happy to have my personal information released like that. Then I thought well is that actually private information. After much thought I decided that I don't see how a distribution list for a state licensing department is public record. I understand that they have a right to see who bought a permit and all that (although I am not sure I believe thats public info either) But my email I use to purchase said permit is not of public record. I purchased my permit through the online site, as the state of Maine requests, and I don't see how that is public information.

I am open to (and encourage) all opposite views always in this blog (or in any conversation we have, but I am particularly interested in this topic. What are peoples thoughts on this?

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Change of command

So it should be interesting with a republican senator in MA. I am sad that Joe Kennedy only got 22,000 votes. I feel like a lot of people would really like his ideas and stances, the issue is getting the message out there. Although I am not so sure a Libertarian President is good I think that a Libertarian senator would be fantastic. Especially in such a close senate a Libertarian would certainly shake things up.

I am hopping Kennedy runs again in 2012. Maybe he can get his message out there a bit more.

Who would have thought that anyone except a Democrat would get elected as a MA Senator though?

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

To the requirements of the Service....part deux

Ok so apparently MARAD no longer requires the service of the T/S Kennedy (I liked the Enterprise name better). Have fun on cruise MMA

Voting

I am sick of people telling me to vote. I am sick of people telling me what is and is not my right versus what is and is not my duty. Worry about yourself and stop telling me to vote. If I want to then I will. If I don't that's not your concern.

I am not writing this because I don't want to vote or anything. In fact I think that's one of the most fantastic rights awarded to us in this country. But that is exactly what it is... a right. I hate the old idea (my parents did it all the time) that its your social and constitutional responsibility to vote. No its not, its your right to vote. If you do not want to take advantage of that so be it.

And another thing someone who is in the US legally can enjoy all the rights of the US Constitution that apply to them so stop saying that if someone doesn't vote then they have no right to complain. What about legal aliens? Or people here on long term work visas? They do not have the right to vote, but they most certainly have the right to complain about the government... its this funny lil thing called the first amendment.

Stop worrying about whether or not other people are going to take advantage of their rights and worry about yourself. If you want to vote then great! Go ahead and have a good time. If you don't want to vote then fine! Go ahead and have a great time. Thats the beauty of the United States, your rights are guaranteed no matter if you take advantage of them.

Ps. Facebook is the worse culprit of this. Obviously its your posts so do what you want, but please refer to the above when you are talking to me because I dont give two shits about who you vote for.

Monday, January 18, 2010

To the requirements of the Service

I read today that the T/S Kennedy, Mass Maritime's training ship has been commandeered by the US government to help in the relief work in Haiti. All lower-class cadets will be offloaded in Florida and flown home, while the upper-class will have the option to go home or continue on with the ship and assist in the relief work.

Although it sucks for all those who were on cruise, I think that it was the right decision by the gov't and the Academy. Good luck to all those travelling with the ship to Haiti.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

You are responsible for your own entertainment

I got this title, as any Mass Maritime grad knows, from Capt. Murphy. Being a youngie in Capt. Murphy's class was always an interesting time and I learned quite a bit, but this is what stuck with me.

While reading/watching/listening to the news I see a lot of people who don't follow this basic rule. Now before anyone gets worked up and says that I dont want to help people that need it blah blah lets get something straight. I am all for humanitarian aid and for helping out in natural disasters (such as Haiti right now) The issue I am having is more on the fact that no one is responsible for what they do and everyone expects someone (the government or just another person) to come take care of their issue. And that also doesn't mean money, sometimes it's the fact that blame needs to be assigned.

I read an article today about a mother whos 17 year old daughter drank a whole bunch of booze, got drunk, and ended up face down in a swamp. Drowned, very sad. The issue I have is then the mother then sues her daugheters friends who were at the party, the person who bought the alcohol, the person who supplied said bought alcohol, a mom who knew that drinking was going on and probably EVERYONE else in the immediate area for wrongful death. The death of a daughter must be a very sad thing and near impossible to cope with, but you want to ruin the lives of 8 other people because your daughter did something dumb? Yes the person who bought and supplied the alcohol and the mother who let the drinking go on are not the brightest bulbs. They lacked all common sense in letting this girl wander off and die. That being said they are not responsible for her death, she is. The girl decided to drink herself silly, wander off and then passed out.

Now I am not condoning anyones actions, in fact I think that the friends were scumbags for letting her go off on her own, I mean she flat out stated she was leaving and her friends thought it was funny. Stupid people, but it's not their fault its the dead girls fault.

I think this is a major issue in the world now, the lack of responsibility. Nothing that you do is your fault, its always someone else's fault. Its the person who sold you the drugs, its the person who sold you alcohol when you were under age.... no its not! It's your own damn fault!

Another example of people not taking responsibility is advertising. This is a little different than my above point because its people pressing an idea on me. Can they do it? Absolutely thats free speech baby. Can I say how much is pisses me off? Absolutely thats free speech baby!

So with that said Truth commercials (those annoying smoking commercials) shut up. I do not care about your wants and needs. If people want to smoke, drink, do drugs, or whatever to themselves then friggin let them. Don't annoy me by blaming government for letting people be dumb and kill themselves. You are responsible for your own entertainment.... worry about that..... I can take care of myself thanks

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

addition to yesterdays post

The 14 Amendment covers the requirements of states to not make laws denying rights to certain citizens...just fyi

Monday, January 11, 2010

Articles of war

So this title was kind of a stretch to keep the nautical theme, but not entirely. In old times the British ran their armed forces using something called the articles of war. The articles of war laid down the rules that the British were supposed to follow. This post is about the US Constitution/ Bill of rights, a set of rules that the US is supposed to follow, but sometimes strays away from.

Today was the beginning of me trying to get up earlier in the morning, it didn't work quite as well as I wanted, but I was somewhat awake and definitely was out of bed earlier so I guess its a start. MF turned on the news and was buzzing around the room getting ready for work. I kind of drifted in and out for a while, but then she said something and it got my brain working. On the news they had just gone over a story regarding a lawsuit being brought against California's proposition 8.(Proposition 8 is the prop. overturning gay marriage in California.) The story was talking about how two attorneys (representing a couple of gay couples) would be pursuing a a lawsuit against the State of California arguing that a ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional.

I am not sure why this wasn't thought of before. Now I know that many have issue with gay marriage, which is fine they are more than entitled to their opinion. I also know that many have religious reasons for not wanting the word marriage used (us damn Catholics) but in law that really is irrelevant. This goes back to one thing, a persons rights.

Argument 1 . No where in the US Constitution does it state that marriage is between a man and a woman. This is the argument I would choose, but I am a very literal person so this argument doesn't work for many people. There is nothing saying you cant do it therefore the Ninth amendment applies and the rights cannot be denied

Argument 2. Separation of church and state. This argument is what many people are using now to combat bans on gay marriage. I also greatly agree with this view point. I am a rather religious person think, but people get to worked up about the religious aspect of gay marriage. I am going to take a leap and say there is gay marriage has zero impact on religious marriage. Right now you either get married in a church/temple/mosque/ etc or you have a secular marriage. If gay marriage is passed that should only make a difference in secular marriage, in which case the "sanctity of religious marriage" is preserved.

I like both arguments, but really I would just like people to worry about themselves and not whether their gay neighbors are getting married. It's not the governments right to tell anyone if they can get married or not, case closed There are bigger things to worry about anyway..... the economy anyone?