I have to assume you have heard about it, or read about, or heard a friend, neighbor perhaps, someone you know offering their opinion on the shooting in Kansas City, at a Jewish retreat center.
I watched the news this morning and came away with this thought - as usual, the media has assessed the situation and came up with their own answers to the inevitable question, why? Why? Why not? The shooter has an established record of being what we like to call, a neo-Nazi. You know - an offspring of those who followed Adolph Hitler into World War II. Not many of us are alive to remember those days, I happen to be fortunate enough to have been one of those who remembered and still, tremble.
I was intrigued by the feeling that none of the reporters looked on this guy as a murderer. After all, he shot his victims down in broad day light, murdered them as they were going about a daily routine. Now of course, we are going to have an extended period of time while the lawyers and the psychiatrists tell us what they believe we need to know about murdering and, murderers.
I have listened to their thoughts and have evaluated them against the lives of the three murderers I have personally known in my life time. Actually, there were four, but one was the father of a class mate of mine in grammar school and I really didn't know him as well as I knew his sons. He killed one of them only because the boy wanted to join the Army and the father apparently feared that he might be sent to Germany and kill their cousins, or others related to the family. He would eventually die in prison.
The other three, on the other hand, were - at one time, or have become close friends of mine. The first one I met on a troopship headed for Japan as I occupied the top bunk in an eight tiered arrangement. He slept below me and the fellow he would eventually kill, slept opposite from us in the adjoining tier. Most of us on that ship were little more than kids, some of whom we got to know better than others on the thirty-one days we spent at sea, from New York harbor, through the Panama Canal and eventually debarking in Yokohama, Japan. From there, we were "distributed" throughout Japan; the three of us happened to be stationed at the same air base, North of Tokyo. As raw recruits, we were assigned to our different squadrons depending on our job assignment. I went one way, they went another. Eventually, I would be transferred to another base on the island of Kyushu.
Then one day, I heard the horrifying news. The fellow who had slept under me on the transport ship had slit the throat and killed the man who had been his buddy. It happened as he had broken into the base PX - expecting to steal a camera, and he was met by the other who had been sleeping there to ward off thieves. He slit his throat and left him to die. Eventually, he met a courts-marshal and was sentenced to death by hanging. General MacArthur had mercy on him and changed the sentence to life in prison. Before he was returned to the States, I had an opportunity to visit with him and really did not recognize him as the bright eyed kid who loved to tease the rest of us and spent his time, telling jokes.
We would eventually meet again, but that is an episode in my life that needs more explanation than is available today.
The next guy I met had just been released from prison after having been convicted for the murder of two women who had been working for him in South Florida. He was a very intelligent young man and I would learn that he had been earlier convicted of a daring jewel theft when he was little more than a teenager. I was to be his counselor, but then he was moved out of the place where we were living and I only saw him on occasion. I was told he was to be considered, privileged. There were all sorts of rumors about him, but I saw him as a bright young man with great potential. He demonstrated this by becoming an evangelist with the people who had helped to get him out of prison.
Finally, I was to meet a young black guy on "death row" in Nashville for the murder of a drug dealer in his home town. I was merely visiting at the request of a fellow member of the church we both attended.
Michael was a fascinating young man, given his background where he was fathered by a "visitor" and left to be raised by his mother who had other children to raise in a neighborhood where "opportunity" was little more than a buzz word for the white folks in that community. For the most part, Michael was raised on the streets and eventually, there was an offer for drugs, a pistol, and confusion that would lead to the murder of a man suspected to be a drug dealer. The police had two boys in custody and they offered "life" to the one who "ratted" on the other. Michael lost and was sentenced to death.
Then, God intervened in the form of a Pastor visiting the prison and shared with Michael, the truly good news of the plan of God for redemption. Although Michael was poorly schooled, he heard the offer and was determined to be able to read and write, skills that he now possesses that are a tribute to the fact that if you really are motivated to move towards the "good" life, you can. I happen to be a college graduate and if others might dare to suggest I am a scholar, I like to tell them about Michael. The good news is that the death sentence has been removed and he is now eligible for parole.
Three men, three very "wise" men have visited me in my life and each has inspired me to greater things in life than to waste it away, talking about my college degree.
What they have inspired me to do is expound on the grace of God that I have witnessed in the lives of these three visitors and others along the way. I will admit that have I wasted a lot of my life away chasing dreams of one kind or another, none of which have lifted me to the place in life I now enjoy.
When the Bible teaches about the so-called "prodigal" son, it is like His opening my eyes to my own life.
And today, I think about the poor demented soul sitting in a jail in Kansas City. He is not alone. There are thousands of jail cells throughout our nation, filled with people who have lost their way in life and their only "product" in life has been the confusion they spread along the way. And we don't help our own cause as we seem satisfied to affix labels to them and move on - until the next murder.
Some blame it on the guns. Others claim it is the lack of an effective education. And there are those who want us to believe it is because the church has failed in its authentic teaching.
For all of these, I would suggest they look into the mirrors that have framed their lives. I know because I have had many opportunities to follow my own advice. Having done so, I share my experiences.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Monday, April 14, 2014
Is It the times in which we live?
Over the weekend, I had an encounter with a fellow - I wished I could say he is a gentleman, but I that is difficult. He started me to think more seriously about the conversation and for that reason, I really need to thank him. Unfortunately, he said what he said and hung up and I cannot do that either.
But I have learned to count my blessings on each and every day I am privileged to be here and I had hardly opened my computer today when I discovered these words of wisdom from my dear friend, Terry Hershey. He had this to say -
"I am invested here. I don't even know where this will take me. Regardless, I am invested here."
I keep such sayings and in this case, it comes close to being my creed - every since May 12, 1975
My real investment in life comes from the fact that I recognize, I was born with two ears and two eyes, but only one mouth.
In this fellow's case, I used my two ears to hear and was fortunate that I could not use my mouth.
All of this started with an article a friend of mine contributed to our local newspaper. He has a weekly column on the Religion page of our local newspaper and he dares to say what he sincerely believes. I know that because he is not only my friend, he is also my Pastor. I said as much in a letter to the editor explaining why I had been offended by a response to my friend's thoughts and encouraged others to think before they write.
I have learned that in my decades long experiences of writing letters to the editors of newspapers in the areas in which I have lived. In the beginning, I was very much like the person who now offends me; he was quick to accuse and did not offer a legitimate reason for their opinion. I learned the hard way when some of my earlier letters were castigated - severely criticized, by people I was forced to recognize, who knew so much more about my subject that I had even considered. "Live and learn" - words of advice I had heard about in the 6th grade while attending school in a one room building in a farm community, but had failed to grasp their value in teaching me how to live, more effectively.
So over the weekend, my "friend" called with the following verbatim thought. "I trust you are the guy who writes letters to the editors. You want to defend your friend's words? They are bull..." I expect you understand his thought. And of course, he hung up.
I didn't have any problem hanging up my receiver, but his thoughts linger on.
There is no need to explain his reasoning. My friend writes about religious beliefs and for some reason that escapes my understanding of religion, he does not always conform to the teachings of many of the other Pastor/teachers in this area. Some people want to tell me that these others are clinging to thoughts in the Bible that have become outdated by modern day science. I don't know about that.
What I do know, however, is that in my travels I have met people of many different religious beliefs and I have one thing in common with every one of them. We are all called to love or respect one another's religious beliefs. A wise man once taught me, the Bible was not written for the benefit of others, it was written for my benefit! It took me some 45 years to understand that and worse, I had no real knowledge of the Bible in spite of the fact I had been a regular church attender for most of those years. I would learn that the "key" to understanding the Bible centered on my need to repent for the life I had been living and give the teachings I would discover in the Bible, an opportunity to guide my "new" life. To my amazement, it has been a most amazing discovery.
I do not search the pages of the Bible looking for ways that others can live their lives. My only call is to love them, just as I have loved others sentenced to death by the State and seen their sentences over turned. I have loved men who were our enemies on the battlefield and watched as they became my fellow citizens in this, the greatest nation ever ordained by God. All because of love.
And that is our call, regardless of the denomination to which we belong. It matters not how others want to believe. Our sole responsibility is to love them. each and every one of them. When we do, we will soon discover, they do listen.
I even love the man who called, "casting stones" at my friend and I pray that I will - somehow, learn his identity so that I might help him to learn that in my experience, the word that he used could be so much better utilized as a fertilizer that brings forth life to products that may even nourish us.
The reason I have used these words to describe this situation is because I know from experience living in this community for most of the past decade, it is because of the fact I do have two eyes and two ears. We seem to have so many living in this area who suffer from what I would prefer to call - r.a. It took me awhile to understand those initials medically, stand for - rheumatoid arthritis. That's one way, but it seems to me that there they could as easily stand for - religious antagonism.
But I have learned to count my blessings on each and every day I am privileged to be here and I had hardly opened my computer today when I discovered these words of wisdom from my dear friend, Terry Hershey. He had this to say -
"I am invested here. I don't even know where this will take me. Regardless, I am invested here."
I keep such sayings and in this case, it comes close to being my creed - every since May 12, 1975
My real investment in life comes from the fact that I recognize, I was born with two ears and two eyes, but only one mouth.
In this fellow's case, I used my two ears to hear and was fortunate that I could not use my mouth.
All of this started with an article a friend of mine contributed to our local newspaper. He has a weekly column on the Religion page of our local newspaper and he dares to say what he sincerely believes. I know that because he is not only my friend, he is also my Pastor. I said as much in a letter to the editor explaining why I had been offended by a response to my friend's thoughts and encouraged others to think before they write.
I have learned that in my decades long experiences of writing letters to the editors of newspapers in the areas in which I have lived. In the beginning, I was very much like the person who now offends me; he was quick to accuse and did not offer a legitimate reason for their opinion. I learned the hard way when some of my earlier letters were castigated - severely criticized, by people I was forced to recognize, who knew so much more about my subject that I had even considered. "Live and learn" - words of advice I had heard about in the 6th grade while attending school in a one room building in a farm community, but had failed to grasp their value in teaching me how to live, more effectively.
So over the weekend, my "friend" called with the following verbatim thought. "I trust you are the guy who writes letters to the editors. You want to defend your friend's words? They are bull..." I expect you understand his thought. And of course, he hung up.
I didn't have any problem hanging up my receiver, but his thoughts linger on.
There is no need to explain his reasoning. My friend writes about religious beliefs and for some reason that escapes my understanding of religion, he does not always conform to the teachings of many of the other Pastor/teachers in this area. Some people want to tell me that these others are clinging to thoughts in the Bible that have become outdated by modern day science. I don't know about that.
What I do know, however, is that in my travels I have met people of many different religious beliefs and I have one thing in common with every one of them. We are all called to love or respect one another's religious beliefs. A wise man once taught me, the Bible was not written for the benefit of others, it was written for my benefit! It took me some 45 years to understand that and worse, I had no real knowledge of the Bible in spite of the fact I had been a regular church attender for most of those years. I would learn that the "key" to understanding the Bible centered on my need to repent for the life I had been living and give the teachings I would discover in the Bible, an opportunity to guide my "new" life. To my amazement, it has been a most amazing discovery.
I do not search the pages of the Bible looking for ways that others can live their lives. My only call is to love them, just as I have loved others sentenced to death by the State and seen their sentences over turned. I have loved men who were our enemies on the battlefield and watched as they became my fellow citizens in this, the greatest nation ever ordained by God. All because of love.
And that is our call, regardless of the denomination to which we belong. It matters not how others want to believe. Our sole responsibility is to love them. each and every one of them. When we do, we will soon discover, they do listen.
I even love the man who called, "casting stones" at my friend and I pray that I will - somehow, learn his identity so that I might help him to learn that in my experience, the word that he used could be so much better utilized as a fertilizer that brings forth life to products that may even nourish us.
The reason I have used these words to describe this situation is because I know from experience living in this community for most of the past decade, it is because of the fact I do have two eyes and two ears. We seem to have so many living in this area who suffer from what I would prefer to call - r.a. It took me awhile to understand those initials medically, stand for - rheumatoid arthritis. That's one way, but it seems to me that there they could as easily stand for - religious antagonism.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
A Window on the World
How about a quick detour? Really not, as what happened today, is part and parcel of the life I live now that my beloved is no longer present. I really do miss her, but I am amazed at the way God seems to have re-directed my course in life. Today was merely more evidence.
I joined a new church a few months ago, a loving congregation that I like to claim has "loved me back to life". With Derlene gone, I was lost, not just because of her absence, but because there were issues with the others who would have an immediate say in my future. I listened for awhile and decided that I had a future and chose to walk into that future.
Today was an example of how my life has been blessed and I write because I believe that if you can hear my heart, you will be blessed as well.
Cookeville, Tennessee, is the home to a University that appeared to me along my way, some 65 years ago. I was home on leave from Japan and my mother decided it would be good if she and I and my grand parents would drive down from Michigan and visit my sister who was attending Baxter Seminary in nearby Baxter, Tennessee. As we drove into Cookeville, I noticed a football stadium along the way and learned that it belonged to Tennessee Tech and I would learn that they had a game scheduled while we would be in the area. It would be the first time I had ever witnessed a "big time" football game.
I have no idea as to who won or lost, but the sight of that stadium has remained etched into my mind. And it remained dormant even after I was employed by a company that brought me to this area, three times every week. Nor did I recognize its significance when I met and married my beloved Derlene who lived nearby. We spent the seven years of our marriage in the shadow of that stadium.
And today, I drove by it as I headed to Tech's student body center to take part in a gathering known as a Window on the World. I was about to be amazed. Walking up from the parking lot, I was met by a gathering of students representing various aspects of life in our world. There were an abundance of signs, but as I approached each one, I was met by an eager student who was well prepared to advise me on the conditions of our world with regard to how we are experiencing our daily lives. I was very impressed. And then, I walked on into the facility where the administration of the University seemed to be housed. Today however, it was crowded with signs and students and tables on which their "causes" were appropriately displayed. I had to believe they really were representing the worlds in which we live out our lives. Listening to them, I was more than convinced they were dedicated. That was just the first floor. My reason for being there was up on the second floor.
Our church has been representing an organization known as Heifer International for a number of years.
I was interested in helping as I had a personal experience with them, of providing funds for the purchase of farm animals to families and other groups throughout the world and the contributions were used to fund areas where poverty had been and currently is, exacting its toll on the youngsters of such communities. What is fascinating about the concept is the fact, our children - from the more affluent nations of the world, are encouraged to relate to such gifts. Its existence dates back the years when such conditions were being made known to nations such as ours. Today, we were encouraging the children passing by to present their "passports" so that they could be authenticated by a "stamp" that left an impression of many of the animals involved We then, discussed and distributed literature regarding the purposes and practices of Heifer International. It was heart warming to hear from many that they were well aware of the program and were or, had been involved in the past.
With my "shift" was over I had the opportunity of further examining the others. It was difficult to believe there might be other nations the organizers had missed. I came across a distinctive display from Iran and I stood by listening to the conversation. Here was a bright young man talking about his home in terms that had nothing to do with the headlines we read in the reports of our media, far too often. I was moved to take the young man's hand and vowed to him that my prayers were with him and would continue so that there would be peace between our two great nations. I turned around and there was a display from Japan. I approached one of those talking about their nation and told him of the four years I had been stationed near Fukuoka and his eyes lit up. I explained the fact that it was his people who taught me how to love one another and to care for the respect we have held for one another, even though at one time we were the bitterest of enemies. I walked on, chatting with a few as I passed by and headed for home.
Not before I re-visited two of the booths I had noticed on the way in. The first was one devoted to re-cycling our waste products and explained how I had discovered and was using a private company, operated by students on a part-time basis, who took the "work" out of my efforts. He knew of them and he seemed almost excited to discover and advocate to his cause. I encouraged him to keep doing what he had been doing and he will be rewarded for his efforts. The next booth was entitled "Grow Cookeville" and promoted the expansion of "home grown" vegetation in the lands adjacent to our city. What a great idea. Having been raised on a farm, I am very disappointed at the hundreds of acres of land that lies dormant in what we call the Upper Cumberland area - most of which could be devoted to the growth and distribution of products that would not only serve, but contribute to the well being of our own.
As I headed to my car, I spotted a place to sit down and as I did, the tears came pouring out of my eyes.
I had seen the future as envisioned by our young and obviously endorsed by the University.
Oh, that others could see the possibilities that were every where, people, from everywhere on the globe we call home, visionaries perhaps, but why are do we seem to be reluctant to encourage them on a 24/7 basis rather than just once every so often?
There they were, gathered together, in a place I never thought I would ever see again.
If it is only a dream, please don't waste your time trying to waken me.
I joined a new church a few months ago, a loving congregation that I like to claim has "loved me back to life". With Derlene gone, I was lost, not just because of her absence, but because there were issues with the others who would have an immediate say in my future. I listened for awhile and decided that I had a future and chose to walk into that future.
Today was an example of how my life has been blessed and I write because I believe that if you can hear my heart, you will be blessed as well.
Cookeville, Tennessee, is the home to a University that appeared to me along my way, some 65 years ago. I was home on leave from Japan and my mother decided it would be good if she and I and my grand parents would drive down from Michigan and visit my sister who was attending Baxter Seminary in nearby Baxter, Tennessee. As we drove into Cookeville, I noticed a football stadium along the way and learned that it belonged to Tennessee Tech and I would learn that they had a game scheduled while we would be in the area. It would be the first time I had ever witnessed a "big time" football game.
I have no idea as to who won or lost, but the sight of that stadium has remained etched into my mind. And it remained dormant even after I was employed by a company that brought me to this area, three times every week. Nor did I recognize its significance when I met and married my beloved Derlene who lived nearby. We spent the seven years of our marriage in the shadow of that stadium.
And today, I drove by it as I headed to Tech's student body center to take part in a gathering known as a Window on the World. I was about to be amazed. Walking up from the parking lot, I was met by a gathering of students representing various aspects of life in our world. There were an abundance of signs, but as I approached each one, I was met by an eager student who was well prepared to advise me on the conditions of our world with regard to how we are experiencing our daily lives. I was very impressed. And then, I walked on into the facility where the administration of the University seemed to be housed. Today however, it was crowded with signs and students and tables on which their "causes" were appropriately displayed. I had to believe they really were representing the worlds in which we live out our lives. Listening to them, I was more than convinced they were dedicated. That was just the first floor. My reason for being there was up on the second floor.
Our church has been representing an organization known as Heifer International for a number of years.
I was interested in helping as I had a personal experience with them, of providing funds for the purchase of farm animals to families and other groups throughout the world and the contributions were used to fund areas where poverty had been and currently is, exacting its toll on the youngsters of such communities. What is fascinating about the concept is the fact, our children - from the more affluent nations of the world, are encouraged to relate to such gifts. Its existence dates back the years when such conditions were being made known to nations such as ours. Today, we were encouraging the children passing by to present their "passports" so that they could be authenticated by a "stamp" that left an impression of many of the animals involved We then, discussed and distributed literature regarding the purposes and practices of Heifer International. It was heart warming to hear from many that they were well aware of the program and were or, had been involved in the past.
With my "shift" was over I had the opportunity of further examining the others. It was difficult to believe there might be other nations the organizers had missed. I came across a distinctive display from Iran and I stood by listening to the conversation. Here was a bright young man talking about his home in terms that had nothing to do with the headlines we read in the reports of our media, far too often. I was moved to take the young man's hand and vowed to him that my prayers were with him and would continue so that there would be peace between our two great nations. I turned around and there was a display from Japan. I approached one of those talking about their nation and told him of the four years I had been stationed near Fukuoka and his eyes lit up. I explained the fact that it was his people who taught me how to love one another and to care for the respect we have held for one another, even though at one time we were the bitterest of enemies. I walked on, chatting with a few as I passed by and headed for home.
Not before I re-visited two of the booths I had noticed on the way in. The first was one devoted to re-cycling our waste products and explained how I had discovered and was using a private company, operated by students on a part-time basis, who took the "work" out of my efforts. He knew of them and he seemed almost excited to discover and advocate to his cause. I encouraged him to keep doing what he had been doing and he will be rewarded for his efforts. The next booth was entitled "Grow Cookeville" and promoted the expansion of "home grown" vegetation in the lands adjacent to our city. What a great idea. Having been raised on a farm, I am very disappointed at the hundreds of acres of land that lies dormant in what we call the Upper Cumberland area - most of which could be devoted to the growth and distribution of products that would not only serve, but contribute to the well being of our own.
As I headed to my car, I spotted a place to sit down and as I did, the tears came pouring out of my eyes.
I had seen the future as envisioned by our young and obviously endorsed by the University.
Oh, that others could see the possibilities that were every where, people, from everywhere on the globe we call home, visionaries perhaps, but why are do we seem to be reluctant to encourage them on a 24/7 basis rather than just once every so often?
There they were, gathered together, in a place I never thought I would ever see again.
If it is only a dream, please don't waste your time trying to waken me.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
More on the "jobs" predicament, locally
Earlier in the week, I discussed in part the conditions of the job market and pointed out some of the ways our "unemployed" might help themselves under these circumstance.
Well, after posting that, I was devastated by a situation that came much closer to home. After my wife passed away, I discovered I had been living in "her" home - she owned it, but now that she was gone, the actual "heirs" took over, prompted me to move and assured me a portion of the proceeds of the sale.
I did as I was asked to do - move away, and eagerly awaited the day when I could move on as I knew it would not be easy to rebuild my life, establish a new "home" address, etc. and I was right. It has been a real struggle and I had hoped my (former) family would be true to their word.
Monday morning's "news" has given me cause to question my trust. Hopefully and yes, prayerfully, I will await the facts that come out of the closing of the sale tomorrow. I will let you know.
Meanwhile, back to the jobs situation. After writing as I did, I was intrigued by an article in my home town newspaper, credited to an AP writer with a headline that read, "Signs the Job Market May Finally be Accelerating." Nothing to get excited about, we need to realize an editor discovered that those words would create an interest in the readers minds. Let's examine what was actually said.
The un-employment rate remains at 6.7 percent. Hardly, good news. According to the BLS, there were 192,000 new hires. Who knows what that represents, but we must realize that the numbers had taken a hit by the annual employment lay-offs after the Christmas season. We must also fact in the weather which has been dreadful in many sections of our nation in January and February. However, to quote the article, "more workers in the 25 to 54 year age group are finding jobs". And, as important, lay offs appear to have declined since February.
Good news. Now for some more realistic news, good or bad depending on how it might affect your family and close friends. Employers hired 2.4 million people in 2012. However, the working age population swelled by 3.8 million that year. A similar gap existed in 2012.
The "so-called employment population ratio" ended in both 2012 and 2013 at 58.6 percent. That is down from the 63 percent before the "recession" started in late 2007.
And what ought to be good news for job seekers, "considering the fact that the vast "baby boom generation" has begun to retire.
The writer ends his column by reminding that we have "escaped" winter.
I decided to test the local job market for folks where I live, in "central" Tennessee. There are two factors. One is our local college, graduating a few thousand every year and asking both the Administration and interviewing a number of graduating Seniors, there is no such thing as a "lull" in hiring. Opportunities are everywhere, but elsewhere is the more appropriate designation. That is true for most college communities. But as you move about the agencies that are designed to serve the un-employment in this area, there is very little reason for hope. Compared to the major cities in the area, hiring is almost nil. And if you look closely, you will discover that this predicament has been long standing. We do a good job, promoting education and are even working to expand on those needs, but there is no well defined employment base. Watch the people come and go from the eating places in this area - and there are many more here than in the surrounding area, but their patrons look a lot like me - gray haired and not even thinking of looking for a job. More often they are looking for someone to trim their lawns, the shrubs and remove a tree or two here and there.
We do prosper in one area. Our jail is normally filled by people who have lost confidence in the job market and make a little here and little more there, too often, re-selling the merchandise they have taken from the local Wal-Mart and adjoining stores.
What troubles me more than anything, if we would only concentrate on actually developing or importing businesses that hire people - as was once our main objective, the constantly increasing costs of maintaining our jails and the State prison system, would begin to cost less and increase our tax base.
A factor that evades most people - especially the politicians, ought to be obvious.
Well, after posting that, I was devastated by a situation that came much closer to home. After my wife passed away, I discovered I had been living in "her" home - she owned it, but now that she was gone, the actual "heirs" took over, prompted me to move and assured me a portion of the proceeds of the sale.
I did as I was asked to do - move away, and eagerly awaited the day when I could move on as I knew it would not be easy to rebuild my life, establish a new "home" address, etc. and I was right. It has been a real struggle and I had hoped my (former) family would be true to their word.
Monday morning's "news" has given me cause to question my trust. Hopefully and yes, prayerfully, I will await the facts that come out of the closing of the sale tomorrow. I will let you know.
Meanwhile, back to the jobs situation. After writing as I did, I was intrigued by an article in my home town newspaper, credited to an AP writer with a headline that read, "Signs the Job Market May Finally be Accelerating." Nothing to get excited about, we need to realize an editor discovered that those words would create an interest in the readers minds. Let's examine what was actually said.
The un-employment rate remains at 6.7 percent. Hardly, good news. According to the BLS, there were 192,000 new hires. Who knows what that represents, but we must realize that the numbers had taken a hit by the annual employment lay-offs after the Christmas season. We must also fact in the weather which has been dreadful in many sections of our nation in January and February. However, to quote the article, "more workers in the 25 to 54 year age group are finding jobs". And, as important, lay offs appear to have declined since February.
Good news. Now for some more realistic news, good or bad depending on how it might affect your family and close friends. Employers hired 2.4 million people in 2012. However, the working age population swelled by 3.8 million that year. A similar gap existed in 2012.
The "so-called employment population ratio" ended in both 2012 and 2013 at 58.6 percent. That is down from the 63 percent before the "recession" started in late 2007.
And what ought to be good news for job seekers, "considering the fact that the vast "baby boom generation" has begun to retire.
The writer ends his column by reminding that we have "escaped" winter.
I decided to test the local job market for folks where I live, in "central" Tennessee. There are two factors. One is our local college, graduating a few thousand every year and asking both the Administration and interviewing a number of graduating Seniors, there is no such thing as a "lull" in hiring. Opportunities are everywhere, but elsewhere is the more appropriate designation. That is true for most college communities. But as you move about the agencies that are designed to serve the un-employment in this area, there is very little reason for hope. Compared to the major cities in the area, hiring is almost nil. And if you look closely, you will discover that this predicament has been long standing. We do a good job, promoting education and are even working to expand on those needs, but there is no well defined employment base. Watch the people come and go from the eating places in this area - and there are many more here than in the surrounding area, but their patrons look a lot like me - gray haired and not even thinking of looking for a job. More often they are looking for someone to trim their lawns, the shrubs and remove a tree or two here and there.
We do prosper in one area. Our jail is normally filled by people who have lost confidence in the job market and make a little here and little more there, too often, re-selling the merchandise they have taken from the local Wal-Mart and adjoining stores.
What troubles me more than anything, if we would only concentrate on actually developing or importing businesses that hire people - as was once our main objective, the constantly increasing costs of maintaining our jails and the State prison system, would begin to cost less and increase our tax base.
A factor that evades most people - especially the politicians, ought to be obvious.
Monday, April 7, 2014
"Where are the jobs?" My thoughts
I remain amazed, we keep getting these articles in our major newspapers as well as our business periodicals - "Where are the jobs?" and "they" keep responding with the same answers, over and over again. Ever wonder what goes through the minds of those who are actually having problems, finding a job? Try - desperation!
I thought I was done with such questions. After all, I started in that "business" in 1947 when a Sergeant in what is now known as the U.S. Air Force asked me if I knew the alphabet. Seriously! Seems as if the clerk who preceded me in the office to which I was about to be assigned had no idea. "W"s could be found where the "A"s were supposed to be and on and on it went, all of which would establish my credentials for the job. I will never forget his response, "Keep doing what you are doing and when I leave, you will have my job and some of these", pointing to the six stripes on his sleeve. I heard what he was saying, loud and clear, and sure, enough his job became my own.
LESSON #1 - about finding a job, you have to "show up".
I served in the Air Force for almost seven years, graduated from college (now, Georgia State University) with a BBA degree in Personnel Management and wound up working for an employment agency, in fact, a few of them before I turned to recruiting, civilians, for existing jobs. Along the way I became intimately acquainted with the problems involved on both sides of the desk
To me, it all began with the problem, of corporations assigning people to the task of employment "management" who really had very few personal skills. They might know about the requirements of the available jobs; they knew far too little about the skills in matching the applicant to the available tasks.
Those days are long gone. Today's professionals in this area are often far more qualified at their jobs than the top executives. The most important task of the applicant is to "read" the skills of those who are doing the initial interviews.
LESSON #2 - now becomes, "show up - understanding all that you know about the skills required and making certain, your first interview is not your last.."
Therein is the greater problem. A lack of job opportunities may be the condition that appears in your community, but be careful not to fall under the delusions suggested in a recent (April 6) article in the USA Today newspaper - "Where are the jobs?"
It all depends on a person's age and job kills. There are hundreds of available jobs in almost every city and town across our land. They are almost everywhere - McDonalds, Wal-Mart, etc., etc., and the "curse" seems to be, they are "only" part time jobs. So? Basic reasoning ought to be applied to this condition. There are after all, 168 hours in every week, time enough to hold almost three other 40 hour jobs - and many do!. Working part-time for just two of them will mark a person as dependable, eager to learn and more often than not, promotable.
I understand that there are personal problems with such an approach, but the fact is, we do not live in an age where there are constant demands for employees; the demands in the age into which we are rapidly advancing are for people who will recognize such demands and qualify themselves. And there are thousands of such jobs and they are increasing every month.
Another example, there are "knowledge" jobs everywhere - advisers, aides, clerks counselors, drivers, farmers, instructors, janitors, mechanics, outdoors men (and women), religion, sports related, tailors, warehouse personnel, writers, etc., etc., ad infinitum, and they do not always require advanced education. The main qualification is the willingness to "show up" regularly and be attentive to instructions.
One of the most interesting entries to such jobs can be found in the magazine counters of the local grocery stores by looking in the last pages where you see ads for franchises, most of which tell the prospective franchisee what is involved. Now, look in the telephone book and see if such companies are located in your community and stop by, asking if they could use help.
Many years ago, when I first was hired by an employment agency, I was handed a local telephone book and starting on the first pages, I was to call each listing and merely ask, "Are you hiring anyone?" If I was desperately seeking a job today, I would start all over again. And when they said, No!" I would do as I used to do, ask: "Do you know anyone who might be hiring?"
The real problem with regard to jobs is the fact that those in government - on BOTH sides of the political aisle, are too involved in their hopes and plans for their version of a better America seem to forget to recall that our beloved Constitution was written to provide for "We, the people".
If you cannot understand that, go to your local government sanctioned employment office and ask for help in guiding your employment search. I did that recently and their advice was simple, "Move".
I thought I was done with such questions. After all, I started in that "business" in 1947 when a Sergeant in what is now known as the U.S. Air Force asked me if I knew the alphabet. Seriously! Seems as if the clerk who preceded me in the office to which I was about to be assigned had no idea. "W"s could be found where the "A"s were supposed to be and on and on it went, all of which would establish my credentials for the job. I will never forget his response, "Keep doing what you are doing and when I leave, you will have my job and some of these", pointing to the six stripes on his sleeve. I heard what he was saying, loud and clear, and sure, enough his job became my own.
LESSON #1 - about finding a job, you have to "show up".
I served in the Air Force for almost seven years, graduated from college (now, Georgia State University) with a BBA degree in Personnel Management and wound up working for an employment agency, in fact, a few of them before I turned to recruiting, civilians, for existing jobs. Along the way I became intimately acquainted with the problems involved on both sides of the desk
To me, it all began with the problem, of corporations assigning people to the task of employment "management" who really had very few personal skills. They might know about the requirements of the available jobs; they knew far too little about the skills in matching the applicant to the available tasks.
Those days are long gone. Today's professionals in this area are often far more qualified at their jobs than the top executives. The most important task of the applicant is to "read" the skills of those who are doing the initial interviews.
LESSON #2 - now becomes, "show up - understanding all that you know about the skills required and making certain, your first interview is not your last.."
Therein is the greater problem. A lack of job opportunities may be the condition that appears in your community, but be careful not to fall under the delusions suggested in a recent (April 6) article in the USA Today newspaper - "Where are the jobs?"
It all depends on a person's age and job kills. There are hundreds of available jobs in almost every city and town across our land. They are almost everywhere - McDonalds, Wal-Mart, etc., etc., and the "curse" seems to be, they are "only" part time jobs. So? Basic reasoning ought to be applied to this condition. There are after all, 168 hours in every week, time enough to hold almost three other 40 hour jobs - and many do!. Working part-time for just two of them will mark a person as dependable, eager to learn and more often than not, promotable.
I understand that there are personal problems with such an approach, but the fact is, we do not live in an age where there are constant demands for employees; the demands in the age into which we are rapidly advancing are for people who will recognize such demands and qualify themselves. And there are thousands of such jobs and they are increasing every month.
Another example, there are "knowledge" jobs everywhere - advisers, aides, clerks counselors, drivers, farmers, instructors, janitors, mechanics, outdoors men (and women), religion, sports related, tailors, warehouse personnel, writers, etc., etc., ad infinitum, and they do not always require advanced education. The main qualification is the willingness to "show up" regularly and be attentive to instructions.
One of the most interesting entries to such jobs can be found in the magazine counters of the local grocery stores by looking in the last pages where you see ads for franchises, most of which tell the prospective franchisee what is involved. Now, look in the telephone book and see if such companies are located in your community and stop by, asking if they could use help.
Many years ago, when I first was hired by an employment agency, I was handed a local telephone book and starting on the first pages, I was to call each listing and merely ask, "Are you hiring anyone?" If I was desperately seeking a job today, I would start all over again. And when they said, No!" I would do as I used to do, ask: "Do you know anyone who might be hiring?"
The real problem with regard to jobs is the fact that those in government - on BOTH sides of the political aisle, are too involved in their hopes and plans for their version of a better America seem to forget to recall that our beloved Constitution was written to provide for "We, the people".
If you cannot understand that, go to your local government sanctioned employment office and ask for help in guiding your employment search. I did that recently and their advice was simple, "Move".
Saturday, April 5, 2014
What's happening, a review
I've been away from this address for a few days because I could not sleep a few nights ago and woke up, a bit confused as to whether I was coming down with something, or whether it was just another encounter with the fact, I am not getting any younger. For those who do not know, I plan on becoming 85 years of age in August. What really troubled me, I had obligations involving others. One was a long overdue "getting together" with a spiritual brother with whom I have enjoyed special times of "refreshing" for a number of years. The other was an obligation to my church, to facilitate a gathering this morning to reveal our interests in proving we are good neighbors in the community where we worship. It all worked out as we have many willing hands in our church and I am blessed to realize how true this is.
My good friend and I can get together, hopefully, next week. In the meantime, I had the experience of being served by yet another person who went out of her way to help me in a time of need.
I was reminded of these experiences a few minutes ago when I read of another friend of mine, Frank Viola, who has written another book to go along with the eight others he has written in the past. I am not sure that I have any of those others in my library, but I have read a lot of the things he has had to say by way of the Internet and generally speaking, I have agreed with what he has to say.
Now, in his new book, which will not be available until next month, Jesus Now, I have to say, the title misses the mark of what I have to believe is the "high calling of God in Christ Jesus". You may recall that the Apostle Paul used this term and reveals his motivation in the third chapter of Philippians. I love it, as I loved it when I first heard of it - so many years ago. Let me remind you of what He had to write in its entirety in verses 13 and 14: "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
That reflects my own life when I first read this passage years ago and it remains my goal in these days.
Now, reading Viola's title, I have to wonder as Jesus reminded us, "I will not leave you.... I will come to you." (John 14:18) and goes on to say, "... the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance, all that I said to you."
It is my cherished opinion, that we do not have to wait another month, nor week, nor day, nor hour nor even a moment, to hear Jesus as He reminds us of the struggles we all face in a world in which we live today, or lived yesterday, or will live tomorrow, for He continues to say, "Come to Me. all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
It has to be my opinion having experienced His love, His comfort, His assurance, for all of these many years that what this world, our nation, our cities and the country places in which we live, need more than anything else has to embrace that promise, that even though we may be weary and heavy laden, He promises His rest; not as the world provides, His refreshing rest.
All others offer merely, more of the same. He, alone, is what is actually happening, today.
My good friend and I can get together, hopefully, next week. In the meantime, I had the experience of being served by yet another person who went out of her way to help me in a time of need.
I was reminded of these experiences a few minutes ago when I read of another friend of mine, Frank Viola, who has written another book to go along with the eight others he has written in the past. I am not sure that I have any of those others in my library, but I have read a lot of the things he has had to say by way of the Internet and generally speaking, I have agreed with what he has to say.
Now, in his new book, which will not be available until next month, Jesus Now, I have to say, the title misses the mark of what I have to believe is the "high calling of God in Christ Jesus". You may recall that the Apostle Paul used this term and reveals his motivation in the third chapter of Philippians. I love it, as I loved it when I first heard of it - so many years ago. Let me remind you of what He had to write in its entirety in verses 13 and 14: "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
That reflects my own life when I first read this passage years ago and it remains my goal in these days.
Now, reading Viola's title, I have to wonder as Jesus reminded us, "I will not leave you.... I will come to you." (John 14:18) and goes on to say, "... the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance, all that I said to you."
It is my cherished opinion, that we do not have to wait another month, nor week, nor day, nor hour nor even a moment, to hear Jesus as He reminds us of the struggles we all face in a world in which we live today, or lived yesterday, or will live tomorrow, for He continues to say, "Come to Me. all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
It has to be my opinion having experienced His love, His comfort, His assurance, for all of these many years that what this world, our nation, our cities and the country places in which we live, need more than anything else has to embrace that promise, that even though we may be weary and heavy laden, He promises His rest; not as the world provides, His refreshing rest.
All others offer merely, more of the same. He, alone, is what is actually happening, today.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Are we getting too big?
Sunday, 60 Minutes had an interview with Michael Lewis, author of a new book, Flash Boys, another of his efforts to criticize Wall Street and the people who - in his words, manipulate the Stock Market. Earlier this morning, he was on NBC's The Today program with another recitation of his "fears" that these "other" guys are raising the price of certain stocks, so that they might earn even greater profits than they now enjoy. It was interesting to me, but I am aware that I only know of one other person who might have any knowledge of Lewis' predictions. That gives me room to breathe.
Years ago, I had received a bonus at work and decided I would finally listen to a friend who worked for E. F. Hutton (remember them?) and decided to take a risk. He divided the amount of money I had to invest and placed half of it with a well known conservative company. The other half we invested with a company that had been my client in another business and I suggested I had "inside" information. I was right. In three months, my investment had nearly doubled and we took the other half and invested it in "my" favorite choice as well. In another three months, we took all of the profits we had earned and put them into another company. In less than a years, my investment had more than doubled
Then, we had a family crisis. We needed the money for lawyer fees and our lives went from better to worse, far worse. I never was in a position to invest in stocks again, but that experience helped me to understand some of the nuances of the financial industry. So, it is my recommendation that we all pay more attention to what we see and hear in that area. Otherwise, we could be hurt if Mr. Lewis' fears and predictions could come to pass.
Are we getting too big? Take another incident in the news. It has been a month since that Maylasian airliner disappeared over the Pacific. There is a virtual armada of ships and planes scouring the area where the best estimates suggest the plane might have crashed. Now, I don't fly much anymore but when I did, I was more than confident that we were safe because of all of the technology involved, even in the local flights in which I was involved. Think of all the improvements that have been made in recent years, but now it seems, all for naught. Hopefully, the site will be located, but if we discover that something was involved that we now know nothing about, what does that say about our future?
I think we have grown too big. Try to take an unbiased view of the criticisms aimed at our President for his Affordable Care Act. I understand, at the root of most of them, we will discover little more than pure political demagoguery. Sorry about that, my Republican friends. If the shoe were on the other foot, and it was a Republican President promoting such a plan, or another one similar in size to the ACA, the Democratic critics would be engaged in the same kinds of indignation. Somehow, we are losing the value we used to place on the persons who occupy the White House. Votes no longer seem to count, only the dollars that underwrite political activities. We constantly hear demands that we put a limit on government spending, while the pleas for government assistance remain unabated. My take on the whole problem is that those we have elected to office - from either side of the political spectrum are merely caricatures of what we really need. Does anyone recall a person running for political office who dared to reveal his or her record on personal integrity?
Can you possibly relate to the crisis within the General Motors family? For years they seem to have avoided the law regarding product failures in their vehicles and worse, the government offices that are there to protect us, apparently did nothing to require GM to properly respond. People were dying, but no one seemed to care, except for those whose loved ones were lost.
Yesterday, we learned that a certain TV "personality" at ABC was leaving to join NBC. A reason was cited that his demand for an 7 million dollar raise, up from one million dollars per year, was denied. Does that mean that NBC is willing to pay that kind of money for an "associate" member of the Today program? Does anyone know how much Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker make? All the while the government is cutting back on food stamps for the truly needy among us.
This past winter season has been the worst in several decades causing the States that were hit the worst to pay twice and sometimes three times what they had budgeted for snow removal and road care. There are experts repeating their pleas that "climate change" is a reality and yet we still argue and fight with one another, rather than seeking a common solution to the actual problems being caused.
We weep as we see the carnage involved in the land slide that buried dozens of homes and many of the residents of a pleasant little village in the State of Washington and yet, we also hear the voices of the experts who forecast such an inevitability. We watch in amazement as the lawyers and politicians in New Jersey debate the causes for the recent backup on the George Washington bridge.
You know who will be paying for what once called malfeasance in office, don't you?
You and I and the millions of others in the land of the "free" and the home of the "brave".
The problem as I see it, "We, the people" have lost our voice as the call for real patriots has disappeared from our conversations.
Years ago, I had received a bonus at work and decided I would finally listen to a friend who worked for E. F. Hutton (remember them?) and decided to take a risk. He divided the amount of money I had to invest and placed half of it with a well known conservative company. The other half we invested with a company that had been my client in another business and I suggested I had "inside" information. I was right. In three months, my investment had nearly doubled and we took the other half and invested it in "my" favorite choice as well. In another three months, we took all of the profits we had earned and put them into another company. In less than a years, my investment had more than doubled
Then, we had a family crisis. We needed the money for lawyer fees and our lives went from better to worse, far worse. I never was in a position to invest in stocks again, but that experience helped me to understand some of the nuances of the financial industry. So, it is my recommendation that we all pay more attention to what we see and hear in that area. Otherwise, we could be hurt if Mr. Lewis' fears and predictions could come to pass.
Are we getting too big? Take another incident in the news. It has been a month since that Maylasian airliner disappeared over the Pacific. There is a virtual armada of ships and planes scouring the area where the best estimates suggest the plane might have crashed. Now, I don't fly much anymore but when I did, I was more than confident that we were safe because of all of the technology involved, even in the local flights in which I was involved. Think of all the improvements that have been made in recent years, but now it seems, all for naught. Hopefully, the site will be located, but if we discover that something was involved that we now know nothing about, what does that say about our future?
I think we have grown too big. Try to take an unbiased view of the criticisms aimed at our President for his Affordable Care Act. I understand, at the root of most of them, we will discover little more than pure political demagoguery. Sorry about that, my Republican friends. If the shoe were on the other foot, and it was a Republican President promoting such a plan, or another one similar in size to the ACA, the Democratic critics would be engaged in the same kinds of indignation. Somehow, we are losing the value we used to place on the persons who occupy the White House. Votes no longer seem to count, only the dollars that underwrite political activities. We constantly hear demands that we put a limit on government spending, while the pleas for government assistance remain unabated. My take on the whole problem is that those we have elected to office - from either side of the political spectrum are merely caricatures of what we really need. Does anyone recall a person running for political office who dared to reveal his or her record on personal integrity?
Can you possibly relate to the crisis within the General Motors family? For years they seem to have avoided the law regarding product failures in their vehicles and worse, the government offices that are there to protect us, apparently did nothing to require GM to properly respond. People were dying, but no one seemed to care, except for those whose loved ones were lost.
Yesterday, we learned that a certain TV "personality" at ABC was leaving to join NBC. A reason was cited that his demand for an 7 million dollar raise, up from one million dollars per year, was denied. Does that mean that NBC is willing to pay that kind of money for an "associate" member of the Today program? Does anyone know how much Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker make? All the while the government is cutting back on food stamps for the truly needy among us.
This past winter season has been the worst in several decades causing the States that were hit the worst to pay twice and sometimes three times what they had budgeted for snow removal and road care. There are experts repeating their pleas that "climate change" is a reality and yet we still argue and fight with one another, rather than seeking a common solution to the actual problems being caused.
We weep as we see the carnage involved in the land slide that buried dozens of homes and many of the residents of a pleasant little village in the State of Washington and yet, we also hear the voices of the experts who forecast such an inevitability. We watch in amazement as the lawyers and politicians in New Jersey debate the causes for the recent backup on the George Washington bridge.
You know who will be paying for what once called malfeasance in office, don't you?
You and I and the millions of others in the land of the "free" and the home of the "brave".
The problem as I see it, "We, the people" have lost our voice as the call for real patriots has disappeared from our conversations.
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