Accountability and transparency
Are what we're needing now
Together we'll stand
For what's good and what's right
And not fall for just one reprimand
The high road now,
Is what must be taken
Example to set
For the many now shaken
By intemperate egos breeding fear;
Stirring hate
Disregarding the future, the facts and our fate
A new day has arrived
It's now baby steps, see
A little at a time; enough that you can do
Work towards things agreed
And respect all those different from you
(from John Adams by David McCullough)
". . . a memorable change must be made in the system of education and knowledge must become so general as to raise the lower ranks of society nearer to the higher. The education of a nation instead of being confined to a few schools and universities for the instruction of the few, must become the national care and expense for the formation of the many. . . "
(from 935 Lies; The Future of Truth and the Decline of America's Moral Integrity by Charles Lewis-quoring James Martin from The meaning of the Twenty-first Century)
". . . Today there are major roadblocks preventing that actions that are needed. There are huge vested interests with massive financial reasons for not changing course. . . There is widespread ignorance . . . For the powerful people who control events, the desire for short-term benefits overwhelms the desire to solve long-term problems. If these roadblocks are not removed, we will steadily head down paths that lead to catastrophe: famines, violence, wars over water, pollution, global pandemics, runaway climate change, terrorism with new types of mass-destruction weapons. . . "
OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak. Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com
My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music is now available at - Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak
(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
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I have this ability, which in my view really isn't THAT special, to recognize people from my past. And since as I get older that period of time continues to grow larger, that number likewise continues to grow, quite possibly making it increasingly difficult to maintain this ability.
But anyway, I had an opportunity to practice this (mostly) wonderful talent recently when I encountered my tenth-grade biology teacher in the grocery store. And although we had a most pleasant conversation, there are some things, as happens in many conversations, that I did not say at the time but which occurred to me later making me wish that I had said them at the time. So I thought I would say them here.
This particular teacher was a breath of fresh air in some otherwise unspectacular high school years. She was young, not unattractive, energetic, enthusiastic, articulate, funny and unmistakably dedicated. I was an impressionable, un-academic, socially awkward, decidedly uncool, dweebie, acne-faced adolescent young male biding my time in a school that offered me very little in the way of intellectual stimulation or social opportunities. She taught biology, one of the few subjects that held some appeal for me, being a lover of reptiles and amphibians. But she taught biology, as I'm sure she could have any other course, with pizazz and finesse resulting in one early-morning class to which I actually looked forward favorably.
One component of this biology class, which now upon reflection I realize, was instrumental in shaping my academic future and later life. It was a project we undertook of a multi-media presentation within the topic which required team work, writing, selection of visual material and accompanying narration and audio. I, with the encouragement of this teacher, was selected to be the narrator, which in truth was mostly because I was one of a small few who could read more than one sentence without stumbling. But this distinction helped shape the direction I soon decided to take toward a career (or at least the pursuit of such a career) in media. This decision (which by the way I have never regretted due to the many pleasant years and good friends which resulted) at which I arrived was the result of the (rare for me, at the time) confidence I felt because of this science project and with the help of this wonderful teacher.
So not only is this petite, unassuming figure not difficult for me to discern in a crowd because of her smiling, wise and pleasant face, she is one of a select few persons from my past who helped instill something in me that I have never lost and which has become an integral part of my makeup as a happy, responsible, functioning adult. Thank you Miss Wells.
(from Illustrissimi by Albino Luciani [Pope John Paul I])
[from a letter to G. K. Chesterton. . . ]
". . . Progress that involves men who don't recognize a singe Father in God becomes a constant danger: without a parallel moral progress, which is continuous and internal, it develops what is lowest and cruellest in man, making him a machine possessed by machines, a number manipulated by numbers; he becomes what Papini called 'a raving savage, who, to satisfy his predatory, destructive, and licentious instincts, no longer uses a club, but has the immense forces of nature and mechanical invention to draw upon.'
Yes, I know there are plenty of people who think the opposite of this, They consider religion a consoling dream, invented by oppressed people who imagine another world, a non-existent world in which they can later find what is stolen from them today by their oppressors. These oppressors have arranged the whole thing for their own benefit, to keep the oppressed underfoot and to quieten the instinct towards a class struggle, an instinct that, were it not for religion, would urge them to fight.
It is no good reminding these people that the Christian religion itself favours the revival of proletarian awareness, that is exalts the poor and foresees a just future. . ."
I well know the importance of a healthy economy. I know its importance to me personally, to my family and to the future of the country. But it seems to me that the (it's not THE LIBERAL, its just THE) press, not to mention numerous and sundry consultants, economists, pundits and 'forecasters' (which may very well be redundant), are exploiting the details of our current crises and consequently, stirring up some sh. . . . . . let us say anxiety.
Case in point (from MSNBC). . .
"The Labor Department reported Friday that the unemployment rate edged up to 8.2 percent, its first increase in 11 months, as American employers fretted over Europe, higher pump prices and the persistent problems in the housing market. . . " It's first increase in 11 months!!! The first ANYTHING doth not constitute a TREND. And there's the "F" word (no not that one), I mean "fretted". Who would know better about "fret" that these guys/girls who cultivate it like Jimmy Carter does peanuts.
". . . Non-farm payrolls rose by 69,000, the lowest increase in a year and well below the 150,000 jobs that economists had expected. . . " Economists EXPECTED. So what? Until they tell my why, how and everything else about why they expected that, why should I fret about what they say?
". . . "It's an awful number. Not only is it awful in its numerical terms, it comes at a very skittish time in the markets because of the European crisis," said Rick Meckler, president of Libertyview Capital Management. . . A number like this brings concern about a global slowdown. The time has probably come to for some new government action in the U.S., Europe and China," . . . " YEAH! Prolly IS, Rick. (Who the hell is THIS GUY? C'mon press. What makes Libertyview special?) Of course Rick is upset!!! And furthermore, ". . . the time has PROBABLY come to(sic) for some NEW GOVERNMENT action in the U.S. . . "???? I do believe Rick may be a Socialist. (Strange line of business for a Socialist.)
". . . The news came after a government report Thursday that showed the U.S. economy expanded at a 1.9 percent annualized rate in the first quarter, below the initial estimate of 2.2 percent and much slower than the 3.0 percent pace clocked in the fourth quarter. . . " 1.9%; 2.2%; 3%??? A fraction of a percent here and a fraction of a percent there and pretty soon we're talking 3.1%!!!!
". . . "Today's weak jobs report is devastating news for American workers and American families," Romney said in a statement shortly after the data was released. . . " Exactly what I expected Romney would say. What else is new?
". . . The Obama administration said that while the jobs data was unacceptable, Congress needed to act to help the economy. "Congress has to take some action because while we see the unemployment rate where it is, it's not acceptable," Solis told CNBC. . . " (Hilda Solis, U.S. Secretary of Labor) Well put Hilda. What does Congress do anyway?
What
do YOU think?
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html
Also download
your
very own copy of
AMBIENCE & WINE
by Ray
Jozwiak
(from the Justice Party)
The cost of a college education is rising at an average rate of around 6% annually and is expected to grow at this rate for the foreseeable future. Total college loan debt now tops the $1 trillion mark. A college education validates itself in lifetime earnings, but paying off the debt can take decades to achieve. More and more, only the affluent can afford a higher education. Deserving middle-class and poor students are increasingly unable to follow their dreams.
While the Republicans and Democrats quibble about just how much debt college students should carry and at what interest rate, we believe that higher education should be funded as part of the public education system. Educating our citizens and future leaders without mortgaging their futures should be a top national priority.
"Government has an enormous role in education--and it has not been doing a good job in recent times. Funding for education, from pre-school through higher education, is essential if we are to break the cycle of poverty for millions of people in the U.S. and prepare our students to compete with students throughout the world. Just as government moved our nation forward by committing to provide free secondary education, so too should we commit to providing a higher education for capable students."
-- Rocky Anderson, Justice Party nominee for President
Flourishing democracies--and robust economies--require educated citizens. It is unfair for the next generation of young people to mortgage their futures so our society can benefit from their knowledge while they languish in debt.
Sign the petition for College Debt Independence!
The time is right to bring higher education into the public education system just as we have done with primary and secondary education.
What
do YOU think?
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html
Also download
your
very own copy of
AMBIENCE & WINE
by Ray
Jozwiak
. . . at least SOMETIMES I feel like I'm grown up . . .
. . . I need to take a stand on the future of my country. Even well into adulthood, more politically- vocal elders of mine voiced opinions about 'wasting' a vote or 'throwing away' a vote that would elect 'his' opponent. Well it's time for principle. At the core of any political disagreement, it seems that many debaters actually agree on issues like waste in government, a bloated and expensive campaign process or inequality in one form or another. And not matter how many good things the current President has accomplished (for those concerned with facts), he could have done much more. Be aware that we also have, in addition to the BIG TWO, Socialist, Libertarian, Green and Liberty parties involved in the election. Educate yourself, heaven knows the network news is NOT going to help you out there. And vote your conscience and your heart.
Ten reasons to vote for Rocky Anderson (Liberty Party):
The promotion of the public interest through the defeat of
the systemic corruption that has caused
massive failures in public policy.
An immediate end to the on-going wars.
Essential health care coverage for all citizens.
Urgent international leadership by the U.S. to prevent
against the most catastrophic consequences of climate disruption.
Adequate revenues to balance the budget through fair
taxation.
Treatment of substance abuse as a public health,
rather than criminal justice, issue.
Control of the Federal Reserve by the
Treasury Department and Congress.
A balanced budget (or a surplus) except in times of
war or major recession.
An end to the legal concept of corporate
“personhood;” a constitutional amendment to overrule Citizens
United.
An end to the stranglehold on our government by
the military-industrial complex.
What
do YOU think?
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html
Download
your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray
Jozwiak
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