We need Memorial Day. Not for the “spectacular sales and savings” nor for opportunity to relax over a three day weekend - we need it to remind us that many have died and suffered for us. If we are to truly honor their memory, then we must attempt to learn something from the results and the consequences of our actions.

 

Anyone who has ever been involved in a shooting war knows that there is no glory or honor involved, regardless of the uniform that’s worn. There is only suffering, fear, disillusionment and death; the creation of nightmares to sear the souls and hollow the eyes of people who have witnessed things no one was ever meant to witness, and who are congratulated as “survivors.” The glorious dead remain dead, leaving behind widows and orphans who strive to find meaning in the void created by the loss of one they loved.

 

I give honor to those who have sacrificed themselves for an ideal of freedom, of liberty.  I despise those who have manipulated and subverted the truth to create fear and loathing in honest citizens in order to gain power, riches and feeding of their own egos. I abhor the jingoist slogans, propaganda machines, the deliberate obfuscations by which young men and women are sent in harms way, and the callous treatment of those whose service we have demanded but whose damaged bodies and psyches are now considered too heavy a burden for our society to carry.

 

By all means - let us take this day to remember the sacrifices of those we have asked to serve us.  Let us look long and hard at the causes for which we commit our military, that we define objectives that have a potential military solution, and make certain that  every possible alternative to armed conflict has been utilized, for in all our long history, war has never provided the lasting solution to economic or ideological conflict.

Another weekend is about to start, and time continues to fly by faster than the wind-blown clouds above. This is my second weekend in a row working, the price I had to pay for having the last weekend of the month off so I can attend the big educational/research meeting with my colleagues in Chicago. Hopefully, all of you are going to enjoy some leisure time and warmer climes. I don't often post things I receive as e-mail, but this is one I had not seen before, and struck me sufficiently funny to want to share it with you. Be well,

J.

 

Summer Classes for Men at
THE
ADULT LEARNING CENTER

REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
by Friday, August 17th 2009
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM

Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning
at 7:00 PM

Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined

Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined

Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

We have too much stuff. I remember a famous George Carlin routine, where he talks about "stuff". We have our stuff. And when we go somewhere, we pack some of our stuff with us -  the things we really need. Then, when we get there, we re-pack a smaller, more essential amount of stuff, to take with us for that day....and so on. This is another piece from my favorite poet (Peter, for those of you who have inquired about his name) talking about this same theme. Enjoy your weekend, and be well.

J.

 

enforced economy

 

the road strips you down.

or rather,

the road lets you do it -

just hands you the knife.

 

you abandon 99%

before you start

and don't notice.

a bit more goes

after the first long day

with an obese pack,

the white rind shaved off.

 

with pack balanced,

you turn the blade on yourself,

begin whittling at the edges,

probing for bits of flab

to excise with a flick.

 

the blade ducks behind the eyes,

a selective lobotomy:

weak thoughts culled,

half-formed notions

sculpted completely.

 

what's left

is

the stone of you.