Looking Deeper

Retards & Political Correctness

April 21, 2009

I recently received a mass e-mail sent through my company. This co-worker, whom I have never met, was promoting a campaign to eliminate the use of the word “retard”. I was asked to participate by pledging to never say “retard”, stating that it is a vile and derogatory word that should be treated the same way as the ‘n’ word. While I recognize that immature and insensitive people often misuse the word as an insult, I view “retard” as a more casual or common way to describe those with mental handicaps. Part of my reasoning stems from the fact that I’ve volunteered multiple times at LARC Ranch, which stands for the Los Angeles Retarded Citizens Foundation.

I recognize that as a medical term “retard” is probably considered outdated, and that using alternatives is a polite gesture to be considerate and tactful of those who may find it’s use offensive. May I be clear, I am not advocating the use of the word “retard”.

However, is everyone so pre-occupied by walking on egg shells in an effort to be politically correct that they forget to be considerate of my right to be offensive, or my right to free speech?! Who gave this co-worker of mine (or anyone for that matter) the right to tell me what words I should or should not use?! Not to mention to do so in a work environment.

Just because we have the right to free speech, does not mean we, as responsible citizens, shouldn’t strive to be responsible and respectful with this precious liberty. My concern, however, is that the political correctness campaign forces freedom of speech to take a back seat to entertaining the ridiculous idea of avoiding anyone from having their feelings hurt.

Here’s an interesting observation to contemplate. Why is the politically correct movement only concerned with protecting every potential offense to certain minorities, while ignoring blatant insensitivities towards others? As a Mormon, is anyone in the politically correct movement fighting against HBO and they’re insensitive approach toward religious issues I feel as extremely sacred? No! While I may feel uncomfortable of HBO’s depiction of a radical offshoot of my religion and how it associates it (often in a manipulative way) to my own faith, I recognize they have every right to do so and I make no fuss about it. When recently approached by others in my own faith promoting actions and campaigns to stop HBO, I openly discouraged such efforts.

In Glenn Beck’s An Inconvenient Book, a book I strongly recommend, Beck devotes an entire chapter to insights regarding political correctness. In it, he quotes George Bush:

Although (political correctness) arises form the laudable desire to sweep away the debris of racism and sexism and hatred, it replaces old prejudice with new ones. It declares certain topics off-limits, certain expressions off-limits, even certain gestures off-limits.

What began as a crusade for civility has soured into a cause of conflict and even censorship. Disputants treat sheer force – getting their foes punished or expelled, for instance – as a substitute for the power of ideas.

Throughout history, attempts to micromanage casual conversation has only incited distrust. They have invited people to look for an insult in every word, gesture, action. And, in their own Orwellian way, crusades that demand correct behavior crush diversity in the name of diversity.

In short, there will always be up-tight people who look for reasons to be offended, and organized politically correct efforts to appease these people have a tendency to do so at the expense of constitution-based liberties; a sacrifice I refuse to make. I rather people just learn to suck it up and stop whining about your sissy feelings and move on. In fact, I can’t help but feel willing to volunteer myself to be the offensive jerk that pisses people off…just to provide opposition to this sissy un-American movement. So stop being retarded!

6 Comments | Racism & Political Correctness | Permalink
Posted by W. Garrett Myler

Integrity in Politics

April 8, 2009

Integrity is one of, if not the most important and valuable characteristics one can develop. Those entrusted to represent the voice and welfare of the citizens of local, state, and federal governments have the responsibility and duty to do so with integrity. Politicians who are misleading and demonstrate blatant inconsistency between what they say, and what they do, should be exposed and “called-out”. I am optimistic and grateful that many others educate themselves on relevant and current political issues and take action to hold their elected representatives responsible for their promises and rhetoric.

Those who neglect to fulfill their duty with integrity can and should expect serious consequences. Such is the case of California Republican Assemblyman Anthony Adams, who is facing a powerful recall campaign. A campaign I have donated to and hope is successful.

To me this issue is much larger than my frustration of wasteful government spending and high taxes. I have more respect for a politician who says they are in favor of “tax-and-spend” policies (like Obama) and acts in accordance to those principles (however wrong I feel they may be), than a politician that says one thing and does another.

Click here to see my open letter to Assemblyman Cameron Smyth which was published this morning in The Signal newspaper. In it I criticize his failure to have his actions reflect his rhetoric in regards to being strongly opposed to tax increases. It should be noted that I gave Smyth the opportunity to respond and explain his actions (as I’ve observed them) in case I had misjudged him. I could have retracted my letter before it was published, but received no response from him.

10 Comments | National Politics | Permalink
Posted by W. Garrett Myler

I’m not as good as you.

February 28, 2009

Say it with me, “I am not as good as you”. With the right understanding, internalizing this idea is not only therapeutic, but it’s promotion may just save our nation from the path we are currently on of destroying the principles of ambition and success to arrive at the lowest common denominator. Allow me to explain.

To start, I wish to point out that I could have just as easily started with “You’re not as good as me”. However, since it seems to be human nature to accept and even relish in ones own strengths and abilities, it is the envy and insecurity of the lack of ability, or inferiority, in comparison with another that provides the foundation and drive from which this damning movement stems.

Today I finished reading C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters”. In it (specifically “Screwtape Proposes a Toast”) Screwtape, a leading demon in hell mentions that while democracy correctly refers to the political ideal that men should be equally treated, Satan and his demons seek to use envy and an insecurity of inferiority to transition it into a factual belief that all men are equal, thus manipulating the meaning of “democracy”.

As written by Lewis, Screwtape states:

The claim to equality, outside the strictly political field, is made only by those who feel themselves to be in some way inferior. What it expresses is precisely the itching, smarting, writhing awareness of an inferiority which the patient refuses to accept.

And therefore resents. Yes, and therefore resent every kind of superiority in others; denigrates it; wishes its annihilation. Presently he suspects every mere difference of being a claim to superiority.

Screwtape then points out that with such a mindset, those who might otherwise achieve success or excellence can be shamed and discouraged to do so:

Under the same influence, those who come, or could come, nearer to a full humanity, actually draw back from it for fear of being undemocratic.

Screwtape then illustrates how this ideal plays out in the classroom:

The basic principle of the new education is to be that dunces and idlers must not be made to feel inferior to intelligent and industrious pupils. That would be ‘undemocratic’.

All incentives to learn and all penalties for not learning will vanish. The few who might want to learn will be prevented; who are they to overtop their fellows? And anyway the teachers – or should I say nurses? – will be far too busy reassuring the dunces and patting them on the back to waste any time on real teaching.

Finally Screwtape summarizes the end result of this false manipulation of “democracy”:

For ‘democracy’ or the ‘democratic spirit’ (diabolical sense) leads to a nation without great men, a nation mainly of subliterates, morally flaccid from lack of discipline in youth, full of the cocksureness which flattery breeds on ignorance, and soft from lifelong pampering.

Before I’m demonized by politically correct liberals, I wish to declare my belief that God loves all His children equally and wishes them all happiness. This, however, does not mean we must ignore the obvious truth that some are more talented or gifted, in some (or many) ways, than others. The bible (1 cor 12: 14-25) teaches the principle that while our differences will lead us to play different roles with relative differences in apparent honor or nobility, we can each be secure and find success and significance in the role we play. In other words, while the waterboy may not have the skill or enjoy the fame of the quarterback, he can still be a successful waterboy, happy in the significance of his role in the team.
(My Mormon friends and others may also benefit by studying Abr. 3: 17-19)

Recently and currently, liberals have undertaken a campaign to flatter the lazy or those who otherwise seek the shelter of reparations of victimization to believe that those who have achieved success or excellence must be burdened and stripped of the fruits of their accomplishments until everyone else can feel equal and believe “I’m as good as you”. For those who might not realize it, I’m referring to all you “tax the rich, spread the wealth, Sí se puede, Obama is the Messiah” people. In word and principle, the promotion of liberal ideals kills initiative and makes success and excellence shameful and burdensome as a sacrifice to protect the sensitivities of those insecure of the role they play in society.

As stated in “An Inconvenient Book” by Glenn Beck, emphasis is falsely applied to the Declaration of Independence. Instead of reading “all men are created EQUAL”, we should read, “all men are CREATED equal”. For as Beck states, “Every man is created equal. It’s what you do with it from there that makes the difference…we control our own destiny.

8 Comments | Barack Obama, Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by W. Garrett Myler

Web-tegrity

January 16, 2009

An open letter to the World Wide Web:

Today I received an e-mail informing me that Microsoft and AOL are performing an e-mail beta test in which they will track everyone I forward the e-mail to, and give me, and anyone and everyone who forwards it, thousands of dollars in return.

And of course, I’m expected to believe that Microsoft would actually perform the world’s most expensive marketing campaign, leaving it bankrupt, because the e-mail says an attorney said it’s true and that both USA Today and Goodmorning America reported on it. On top of that, the landlord of someone’s brother has a kid who’s bus driver’s dog watcher showed them the actual check they received from Microsoft… so it must be true!

An older snopes.com report on such scams states:

“E-mail tracing programs do not exist. Any ‘get something free’ come-on or ‘help a sick kid’ appeal which specifies an invisible program is keeping track of who received an e-mail and who it was then sent to is a hoax. Any such note. No exceptions.”

Please, for all that is holy, do not forward these types of chain e-mails, or anything that in any way resembles it, to anyone…ever. Doing so simply makes you a participant and proponent of these ridiculous and intellectually insulting scams. Even if you are gullible enough to think that it might just be real, please, before you open up your entire list of e-mails to spam your friends and family, do a quick google search. When you do this, it’ll usually take less than a minute (thanks to snopes.com among others) to have the “get rich quick” scheme of the day exposed as a scam. The greatest benefit to you is that after humbly taking a smack in the face by Captain Obvious, you can save your internet reputation, or as I like to call it web-tegrity, and your friends won’t be so quick to delete your e-mails without opening them.

Another piece of web-etiquette…

If you actually have an e-mail that needs to be sent to many recipients, please, use the “blind copy” (bcc) feature. Your contacts may not want everyone else you sent the e-mail to to have their e-mail address to use for their own agenda.

I myself have enjoyed some of the jokes or political satire I’ve received from those who know me well enough to have an idea of what I will appreciate. I just invite people to put more thought and consideration before they push the “send” button. But as far as I am concerned, in no circumstance whatsoever should an e-mail be sent promising that I’ll either get something (including the dream I wished for while scrolling) if I forward it, or that either I or my loved ones will have bad luck for 10 years or have our arms severed off by a crazed ninja if we don’t.

3 Comments | Internet Issues | Permalink
Posted by W. Garrett Myler

The Race Card & White Guilt

December 31, 2008

Political controversy and scandal has once again been recently exposed through the impeachment trial of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is accused of trying to sell Obama’s senate seat to the highest bidder. The situation was made even more sticky and colorful when Blogojevich appointed Roland Burris to fill Obama’s void. This introduced a debate in the Senate over weather or not the appointment of a Governor arrested on federal corruption charges over that very appointment should be honored. It is important to note that Burris was not one of the 7 individuals who were apparently bidding for the seat and appears to be reputable and worthy candidate for such an appointment. In light of Burris’ innocence and qualifications and since Blogojevich is still the acting Governor until he is formally impeached, questioning the appointment appears to be nothing more than “politics as usual”, especially when the issue involves one of the most corrupt political arenas in the nation… and thus (to me), by itself, is an uninteresting story.However, since Burris would be the only current black U.S. senator, the race card has been played, most blatantly by House Representative Bobby Rush (D-Ill.). In a press conference held yesterday, Rush seemed to focus his objection to refusing to sit Burris (which, remember, I agree with and also feel the appointment should stand), on the fact that Burris is black, stating that that gives this issue “tremendous national importance”. He even went so far as to challenge the media from investigating Burris or opposing his appointment because doing so would be “hanging or lynching” him. (Click here to see the video.)

If Burris was white and a scientologist (Church of Scientology), would the appointment of the only Scientologist U.S. Senator also be of “tremendous national importance”? Would the ACLU or Jesse Jackson get involved to fight apparent bigotry? I am so fed up with seeing the race card get played again and again. I was taught to look past skin color… but apparently that is a one way street that only whites must adhere to. If equality is what we should be pushing for, shouldn’t we seek to remove race as an issue as opposed to highlighting and dwelling on it? Shouldn’t BET and other organizations devoted to blacks be encouraged and pressured to seek diversity just as much as any other organization? Do you think a White Entertainment Television network or a white fraternity persist without being burned to the ground or sued out of existence by the ACLU? I feel the establishment of such white groups would be harmful to the racial unity we should be striving to achieve, and only make such an observation to point out an obvious double standard.

That said, and in the light of the Burris debacle, below I have posted an article I’ve been sitting on for a while. With permission by it’s author, Tom Adkins, I’ve posted the article in it’s entirety.

Disclaimer: the article is edgy and can be easily viewed as offensive. Had I written it, I probably would’ve been more careful or tactful. However, I have never been a fan of political correctness, and agree with Adkins’ general point… not to mention the extra “edge” Adkins uses, I feel, makes it much more entertaining than anything I could’ve written.

WHITE GUILT IS DEAD
Free at last, free at last!

By Tom Adkins

Look at my fellow conservatives! There they go, glumly shuffling along, depressed by the election aftermath. Not me.. I’m virtually euphoric.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not thrilled with America’s flirtation with neo-socialism. But there’s a massive silver lining in those magical clouds that lofted Barack Obama to the Presidency. For today, without a shred of intellectually legitimate opposition, I can loudly proclaim to America: The Era of White Guilt is over.

This seemingly impossible event occurred because the vast majority of white Americans didn’t give a fluff about skin color, and enthusiastically pulled the voting lever for a black man. Not just any black man. A very liberal black man who spent his early career race-hustling banks, praying in a racist church for 20 years, and actively worked with America-hating domestic terrorists. Wow! Some resume! Yet they made Barack Obama their leader. Therefore, as of November 4th, 2008, white guilt is dead.

For over a century, the millstone of white guilt hung around our necks, retribution for slave-owning predecessors. In the 60s, American liberals began yanking that millstone while sticking a fork in the eye of black Americans, exacerbating the racial divide to extort a socialist solution. But if a black man can become President, exactly what significant barrier is left? The election of Barack Obama absolutely destroys the entire validation of liberal white guilt. The dragon is hereby slain.

So today, I’m feeling a little “uppity,” if you will. From this day forward, my tolerance level for having my skin color hustled is now exactly ZERO. And it’s time to clean house. No more Reverend Wright’s “God Damn America,” Al Sharpton’s Church of Perpetual Victimization, or Jesse Jackson’s rainbow racism. Cornell West? You’re a fraud. Go home. All those “black studies” programs that taught kids to hate whitey? You must now thank Whitey. And I want that on the final.

Congressional Black Caucus? Irrelevant. Maxine Waters? Shut up. ACORN? Outlawed. Black Panthers? Go home and pet your kitty. Black separatists? Find another nation that offers better dreams. Go ahead. I’m waiting.

Gangsta rappers? Start praising America. Begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. And please, no more ebonics. Speak English, and who knows where you might end up? Oh, yeah, pull up your pants. Your underwear is showing. You look stupid.

Black Fraternities? Seek diversity. Race Card? It’s now the joker. Miss Black America? Get in line with all the other lovely ladies. Reparations? Paid.

To those Eurosnots who forged entire careers hating America? I’m still waiting for the first black French President.

And let me offer an equal opportunity whupping. I’ve always despised lazy white people. Now, I can talk smack about lazy black people. You’re poor because you quit school, did drugs, had three kids with three different fathers, and refuse to work. So when you plop your Colt 45-swilling, Oprah watchin’ butt on the couch and complain “Da Man is keepin’ me down!!!” allow me to inform you: Da Man is now black. You have no excuses.

No more quotas. No more handouts. No more stealing my money because someone’s great-great-great-great grandparents suffered actual pain and misery at the hands of people I have no relation to, and personally revile.

It’s time to toss that massive, obsolete race-hustle machine upon the heap of the other stupid 60s ideas. Drag it over there, by wife swapping, next to dope-smoking. Plenty of room right between free love and cop-killing. Careful, don’t trip on streaking. There ya go, don’t be gentle. Just dump it. Wash your hands. It’s filthy.

In fact, Obama’s ascension created a gargantuan irony. How can you sell class envy and American unfairness when you and your black wife went to Ivy League schools, got high-paying jobs, became millionaires, bought a mansion, and got elected President? How unfair is that??? Now, Like a delicious O’Henry tale, Obama’s spread-the-wealth campaign rendered itself moot by it’s own victory! America is officially a meritocracy. Obama’s election has validated American conservatism!

So, listen carefully … “Wham!!!”

That’s the sound of my foot kicking the door shut on the era of white guilt. The rites have been muttered, the carcass lowered, dirt shoveled, and tombstone erected. White guilt is dead and buried.

However, despite my glee, there’s apparently one small, rabid bastion of American racism remaining. Black Americans voted 96% for Barack Obama. Hmmm. In a color-blind world, shouldn’t that be 50-50? Tonight, every black person should ask forgiveness for their apparent racism and prejudice towards white people. Maybe it’s time to start spreading that guilt around.

Tom Adkins is the founder of CommonConservative.com.
He can be contacted at TomAdkinsCC@Yahoo.com

With permission, an edited version of this article appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer Sun Nov 9, 2008.

2 Comments | Barack Obama, Local & State Politics, National Politics, Racism & Political Correctness | Permalink
Posted by W. Garrett Myler

The Power of Peace

December 22, 2008

Regardless of one’s religious belief, the Christmas season brings with it a spirit of love and peace that can be appreciated and enjoyed by all. As the Christian community world-wide reflects upon the birth, the teachings, and the example of the man referred to as the Prince of Peace, may we take the opportunity this Christmas and New Year to rededicate ourselves to a life of service and love toward all those within our reach and influence. In that spirit, I share the following story taken from a talk given by the late James E. Faust, a previous leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints.

Additional resources to help bring the real meaning of Christmas to you and your family are available on the Church’s website and include another great Christmas story, and a video of this year’s Christmas Devotional which includes beautiful music.

I would like to recount a story told by Kenneth J. Brown, who was serving as a U.S. Marine in Japan following the dropping of the bomb. His moving story about a Japanese Christian he met at Christmastime in Nagasaki is as follows.

“I watched him turn from the street and climb the path leading to our shelter. He was groping, hesitating. As he came near he folded his umbrella and stood quietly a long moment. His thin coat soon dampened from the cold rain that was falling from the same sky that had brought death to nearly half his townspeople three short months before. I concluded that it must take some special courage to confront one’s conquerors without invitation. It was little wonder that he hesitated.

“His polite bow to me was no bow of submission. Rather his squared shoulders and lifted head let me feel as if I were looking up at him even … though I towered over him a foot or more. I recall being disturbed that I hadn’t yet become used to the near sightless eyes of those who had looked heavenward that morning when the bomb dropped. …

“… I respectfully asked if I could be of service. [In his clear English] he introduced himself as Professor Iida. …

“ ‘I am Christian,’ he said. ‘I am told this is the head minister’s office. Are you a Christian? It is good to talk with a follower of Christ; there are so few Christian Japanese.’

“I took him to the inner office of the division chaplain and waited while the two men conversed. Professor Iida stated his request briefly. He was a teacher of music in a Christian girls’ college until it was closed by imperial command. … He had been imprisoned because of his professed Christianity. After being released he had returned to Nagasaki and continued his music instruction in his home even though it was forbidden. He had been able to continue a small chorus and would be pleased if … they [could] sing a concert for the American Marines.

“ ‘We know something of your American Christmases,’ he said. ‘We should like to do something to make your Christmas in Japan more enjoyable.’

“I felt sure the chaplain would give a negative reply. Our unit was one of hardened fighters, four years away from home, who had fought the enemy from Saipan to Iwo Jima. … Yet there was something about the man that bespoke sincere desire to do a good deed so that … permission was granted. The concert would be Christmas Eve.

“The rains had stopped and a calm settled over the atomic bowl reminiscent of the calm that night long ago. The concert was well attended; there was nothing else to do. The theater … had been cleared of its fallen roof and men were sitting on the jagged walls. The usual momentary hush fell over the audience as the performers filed on stage. …

“The first thing we noticed was that they were singing in English and we became aware that they didn’t understand the words but had memorized them for our benefit. Professor Iida had taught his students well; they sang beautifully. We sat enthralled as if a choir from heaven were singing for us. … It was as if Christ were being born anew that night.

“The closing number was a solo, an aria from ‘The Messiah.’ The girl sang with all the conviction of one who knew that Jesus was indeed the Savior of mankind and it brought tears. After that there was a full minute of silence followed by sustained applause as the small group took bow after bow.

“Later that night I helped Professor Iida take down the trimmings. I could not resist asking some questions that propriety forbade but curiosity demanded. I just had to know.
“ ‘How did your group manage to survive the bomb?’ I asked.

“ ‘This is only half my group,’ he said softly, but seemed unoffended at my recalling his grief so that I felt I could ask more.

“ ‘And what of the families of these?’

“ ‘They nearly all lost one or more members. Some are orphans.’

“ ‘What about the soloist? She must have the soul of an angel the way she sang.’

“ ‘Her mother, two of her brothers were taken. Yes, she did sing well; I am so proud of her. She is my daughter.’ …

“The next day was Christmas, the one I remember best. For that day I knew that Christianity had not failed in spite of people’s unwillingness to live His teachings. I had seen hatred give way to service, pain to rejoicing, sorrow to forgiveness. This was possible because a babe had been born in a manger [and] later taught love of God and fellowmen. We had caused them the greatest grief and yet we were their Christian brothers and as such they were willing to forget their grief and unite with us in singing ‘Peace on earth, goodwill to all men.’

“The words of Miss Iida’s song testimony would not be stilled, ‘Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.’ They seemed to echo and re-echo over the half-dead city that day.

“That day also I knew that there was a greater power on earth than the atomic bomb.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(as a “jewish mormon“)

Happy Hanukkah

1 Comment | Religion & Inspiration | Permalink
Posted by W. Garrett Myler

Blogging & Empathetic Listening

December 1, 2008

I recently finished reading Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it focused on recognizing and living in accordance to the “basic principles of effective living”. I agree with Covey when he states that “people can only experience true success and enduring happiness as they learn and integrate these principles into their basic character.”

As I read, I was able to learn a lot about myself, including weaknesses I’d like to work on. I learned that I am very “left-brained” and tend to focus on logic, reason, facts, and my analysis of those facts, and that I need to work on practicing empathy and seeking to understand the differing paradigms through which others experience and view the world, and to appreciate those differences and utilize them to expand my own understanding and paradigm.

I feel these weaknesses have been particularly highlighted and magnified through blogging, which in hindsight is somewhat embarrassing. I recognize that often my response to comments have been defensive and even combative at times. What readers of my blog don’t know is that in the process of moderating comments, I have received multiple hateful and offensive comments from faceless (anonymous) individuals who choose to make personal attacks instead of addressing points and issues. While I recognize that such behavior can be expected by publicizing my bold and opinionated personality, and feel that I have relatively tough skin, I feel that I have allowed those attacks to negatively affect my attitude and response. I do not share this to justify my weaknesses by any means, but rather wish to provide additional understanding and insight that I hope will help make forgiveness easier for those who I may have offended.

Below are some of Covey’s comments on “empathetic listening” and seeking first to understand, then to be understood, that I found particularly insightful and helpful:

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. They’re either speaking or preparing to speak.”

“That’s the case with so many of us. We’re filled with our own rightness, our own autobiography. We want to be understood. Our conversations become collective monologues, and we never really understand what’s going on inside another human being.”

“The essence of empathetic listening is not that you agree with someone; it’s that you fully, deeply, understand that person, emotionally as well as intellectually.”

“When you listen with empathy to another person, you give that person psychological air. And after that vital need is met, you can then focus on influencing or problem solving.”

2 Comments | Internet Issues, Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by W. Garrett Myler

“Marewage…wuv, twue wuv.”

November 21, 2008

While trying to keep myself entertained while riding the bus home, I had the random thought of identifying some of the primary reasons I am excited to find that special woman to marry and spend the rest of eternity with. I make it no secret that when it comes to marriage and starting my own family, the idea makes me twitterpated, so it is without reservation I share them.

I originally attempted to put them in “top 10” format, but the last 5 were all so good, I couldn’t possibly put them in ascending order… so don’t read too much into the order in which they are listed.

Someon to put my arm around (and on occasion, recieve a back scratch) at church.
Neck massages and hot chocolate from a thermos after surfing.
Someone to sing to Jack Johnson with in the car (as well as other songs in other places).
Dinner… anything is better than cold cereal and mac & cheese.
Someone who will always be there for me.
Sex is awesome… so I’m told.
4-5 little Garrett Jr.’s.
Someone to spoil with love and adoration, and to receive the same in return.
Someone to inspire me and help me become a better person.
A best friend to talk to and laugh with.

I’d love to hear either what you look forward to, or currently enjoy, in marriage.

17 Comments | Love, Marriage, & Family | Permalink
Posted by W. Garrett Myler

Political Games

September 18, 2008

Sometimes, while observing the political games played out in the media, particularly during this election year, I can’t help but feel disappointed. I’m not disappointed in the biases attempted to be passed off by news outlets portraying themselves as completely objective. I’m not even disappointed in the politicians themselves who use lame irrelevant tactics and arguments to sway the voters. No…while I try to stay idealistic and positive, it’s the American people I’m disappointed in. For I know that if public option pollsters, news outlets, and politicians were called out and held responsible for such manipulative behavior, they would certainly do an about face….because they wouldn’t get away with it, let alone help their agenda.

Below is an example of the type of political games I’m referring to, taken from Glenn Beck’s An Inconvenient Book, which I recently finished.

…Democrat Michael Arcuri and Republican Ray Meier, running for New York’s 24th Congressional District, upped the ante even more. An anti-Arcuri campaign ad featured the silhouette of a stripper next to video of Arcuri. The narrator ominously said, “The phone number to an adult fantasy hotline appeared on Michael Arcuri’s New York City hotel room bill…while he was there on official business…Who calls a fantasy hotline and then bills taxpayers? Michael Arcuri.” “Bad call!” the stripper adds in a sultry voice.

There’s only one problem: Arcuri had already proven that the phone-sex allegation wasn’t true. His coworker had used his hotel room phone and inadvertently dialed a 1-800 prefix instead of a 212 prefix when trying to reach the state’s Department of Criminal Justice Services. It was just a coincidence that the rest of the digits were exactly the same. According to phone records that Arcuri produced, the first call lasted just moments and was immediately followed by the second call. Does the truth even matter anymore?

Referring to such behavior by politicians Beck states, “Our politicians wield the power to change, the power to lead, the power to solve, and the power to bridge our divisions. Unfortunately, they spend the most time using their power to accumulate even more power”.

Beck, as I mentioned above, also puts the responsibility on us, the American people:

We have to realize that politicians are only a reflection of us…If we really want to fix politics, we need to fix ourselves first.

I think the first step to turning the whole thing around is to end the atmosphere of partisan shout fests and get back to having real conversations. We have to reject the candidates who use gutter politics to get elected, and we have to favor the ones who put principles over party and political games.

We the People still have the ultimate voice in this country, and we can change our course by empowering those who not only stand for the truth but will fight for it. When we start to reconnect with our values, politicians will be forced to reconnect with us.

More than two centuries ago, the founding fathers designed our system of government. But they didn’t give the most important responsibilities to the executive, legislative, or judicial branches. They gave them to us. We the People. We have the power to change everything; we just have to decide to use it.

So lets stop regurgitating the “Obama is too inexperienced” or “McCain is too old” nonsense. Let us acknowledge the irrelevance of McCain’s “celebrity” ad, or the emptiness of the emotionally appealing dribble produced by the Let California Ring campaign. I am optimistic that most of us, on both sides of the political isle, have the mental capacity and the wherewithal to do a little homework, develop valid and relevant arguments, and drown out the nonsense by voicing and articulating your view-point. When this becomes how we approach politics, politicians, of necessity, will follow suite.

6 Comments | National Politics | Permalink
Posted by W. Garrett Myler

What You Don’t See

September 17, 2008

I’m currently reading Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. In it, Covey talks about paradigms. Your paradigm is how you “see” or perceive and interpret the world you live in. He explains that it is important to recognize that your paradigm is not the actual “territory” of reality, merely your own personal explanation or map of that territory. In other words, our paradigm is “the lens through which we see the world…and the lens itself shapes how we interpret the world.”

Covey states, “Our paradigms, correct or incorrect, are the sources of our attitudes and behaviors, and ultimately our relationships with others.”

To illustrate this principle, Covey gives a personal example that I found particularly moving and inspirational.

I remember a mini-paradigm shift I experienced one Sunday morning on a subway in New York. People were sitting quietly – some reading newspapers, some lost in thought, some resting with their eyes closed. It was a calm, peaceful scene.

Then suddenly, a man and his children entered the subway car. The children were so loud and rambunctious that instantly the whole climate changed. The man sat down next to me and closed his eyes, apparently oblivious to the situation. The children were yelling back and forth, throwing things, even grabbing people’s papers. It was very disturbing. And yet, the man sitting next to me did nothing.

It was difficult not to feel irritated. I could not believe that he could be so insensitive as to let his children run wild like that and do nothing about it, taking no responsibility at all. It was easy to see that everyone else on the subway felt irritated, too. So finally, with what I felt was unusual patience and restraint, I turned to him and said, “Sir, your children are really disturbing a lot of people. I wonder if you couldn’t control them a little more?”

The man lifted his gaze as if to come to a consciousness of the situation for the first time and said softly, “Oh, you’re right. I guess I should do something about it. We just came from the hospital where their mother died about an hour ago. I don’t know what to think, and I guess they don’t know how to handle it either.”

Can you imagine what I felt at that moment? My paradigm shifted. Suddenly I saw things differently, and because I saw differently, I thought differently, I felt differently, I behaved differently. My irritation vanished. I didn’t have to worry about controlling my attitude or my behavior; my heart was filled with the man’s pain. Feelings of sympathy and compassion flowed freely. “Your wife just died? Oh, I’m so sorry! Can you tell me about it? What can I do to help?” Everything changed in an instant.

I know that I tend to be critical of others and judge according to what I perceive to be proper behavior, or according to the same standards I set for myself. I’m trying to be better, to have more empathy, and to give people the benefit of the doubt, recognizing I don’t know all the details or where they are coming from. I appreciate your patience as I continue to work on this.

6 Comments | Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by W. Garrett Myler