All in the Family

The news was heart-wrenching. It was Christmas Eve when a daughter and her boyfriend visited her parents. Swept by anger into a frenzy, the misguided young woman and her beau, shoot her parents to death. After dragging the bodies into an outdoor shed, more family arrived for a holiday visit. Fearing being exposed for the murder of her parents, this murderous team leaps into action once more. by the time their dark work is finished, two young children and their parents are added to the mayhem. Aren't families great?

Some might wonder whether families are worth all the trouble after hearing stories like this one. For a Basicguy like me, it is all very hard to comprehend. All I can figure is that there must have been something far less than "basic" going on in this particular family... at least in the incomplete mind of this murderous young woman. It is all too sad, especially for a Christmas season.

Fortunately, there are basic families scattered all over the world--unsung and unnoticed by the media--where goodness, peace and joy reign. We had grandchildren visiting our home for Christmas. Not only did their eyes sparkle with the lights on the Christmas tree, but with the pure and exquisite joy of Christmas. You see, Santa did visit and once again did his magic. There was nothing particularly extraordinary or expensive about this Christmas. In fact it was a perfect display of all that is right about Basicguys and basic families. It was just simple joy enjoyed by a simple family that loves being together.

It was a traditional day, where there was as much joy over the Mountain Man breakfast and Orange Rolls as the gifts. To simply look into each face, adult and child, and see the warm glow of joy was enough for the day. Of course gifts are a rich part of Christmas and have been since wise men brought them to a Babe born in a manger in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. But it may be that the silent gifts of adoration brought to the manger by spiritually enwrapped shepherds, are the most lasting and enduring gifts that can be given.

Though I have had many associations throughout my life (at work, in the community, at church), I have found the richest ones as part of a family. It began with the family of my youth in Southern Nevada and now continues with the family of my adulthood. My wife, my children, their spouses, and their children have added to the enduring joy of family. From face to face, both young and older, the warm glow of joy keeps the simple gifts of Christmas alive for me and magnifies the manger in ways I never could have understood as a child.

Basically speaking, most joy in life comes in a family. The family is where it is at. From the Holy family all down through the ages to mine, family is where it is at. I can only hope that everyone is as lucky as I am. If you're not, take me at my word and set about making a family for yourself. I know I'm only a basicguy, but I believe that God intended for all of His children to have a family. I mean we came from one didn't we? How can we be considered God's children if we weren't part of a heavenly family? And so He designed that there would be families here. But life is not perfect. People make mistakes; some very serious mistakes. But that doesn't mean we can't break imperfect chains.

So, since a family is where it's at and the best things happen "all in the family," do your best to be part of one. Do your best to have your own. It's best to do so in God's way. He is the designer of the family... being the first Father that I know of. Doesn't it make sense to follow His lead? Basicguys tend to simply follow their God's perfect lead. Good luck making something "basic" out of your life... all in a family.

Mitt Romney and Mormon Insanity

Republican Presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, recently gave a talk to clarify his religious faith. Being a practicing Mormon, it apparently became critical for his candidacies survival. His "Faith in America" speech turned out to be more satisfying to Mormon's than to others. Many complained that he didn't go deep enough into his own beliefs to satisfy the masses. The latest polls out of Iowa seem to confirm this feeling. Romney has slipped further behind Huckabee in a state he once dominated.

My son who is a law student at the University of Nebraska, sent me an editorial written by a poly sci student in Lincoln. I found it really fascinating that in this students mind, everyone else but him seem to believe things that are insane. He pointed out that Scientologists believe in a dark science fiction type character named Xenu who will one day come earth to destroy it. He then likened that to a Mormon belief that an angel named Moroni appeared to a boy named Joseph Smith and directed him to some gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. Because of belief's like these, he then purported that Mormons and Scientologists are insane. How can you vote for someone who believes in such insanity?

Now, I know I'm just a Basicguy, but I feel certain that if I were to pin this young student down on his own religious beliefs I'd find something that borders on the fantastic or even the insane. For example, he claims to believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. Does his belief include the Savior's miraculous birth? If so, couldn't anyone with a rational mind conclude that the virgin birth borders on the fantastic or insane? All humans, religious or atheist, can be accused of some insanity. The Jews believe that God wrote commandments on stone books with His finger; Muslim's believe that Mohammad was taken to heaven on a magic chariot; evolutionists believe that all living creatures descended from an ameba living in a miry primordeal swamp. Can't any of these appear fantastic or "insane" to others?

Clearly, I draw a line with Xenu, but what's wrong with an angel named Moroni? Is that so different from an angel named Gabriel or Raphael? Why this student choses to lump the spiritual drama claimed by Mormon's with Xenu and not the New Testament's Gabriel is beyond me. If I had to guess, I'd say he has something against Mormons. Which is unfortunately often the case when individuals choose to accent the excesses of any religion.

I feel bad for Romney. He seems like a sharp guy... unlike most of us basic guys. Anyone who has the smarts to saved companies that are billions of dollars in the red, could probably do a lot to save a nation nearing an economic collapse. Basically speaking, a Mormon can be an American too. Look at me, I'm an American and a Basicguy all rolled up into one. Gee, maybe I could run for president?

Clearing Things Up a Bit

A couple of weeks ago I misplaced my glasses. I can read without them so I often take them off when dealing with things close to me. When I realized they were missing, I searched everywhere for them. I went to the restaurant where we ate that night. I went to the store we shopped at after dinner. I turned the house upside down and wracked my brain, all to no avail.

I finally had to admit that they were gone. So I turned to an old pair of glasses hidden in a drawer for safe keeping. Actually I keep them out of sight. They are rather large by today’s standard and remind me of “That 70’s show.” But what am I to do? I’m just a Basicguy.

I bravely pressed forward with my “better than nothing” glasses. Day after day I was reminded why they normally sat hidden in a drawer. Since they were also a much older prescription, it didn’t take long until I set up an appointment with my eye doctor. I found out it had been 4 ½ years since my last visit so it made double sense.

Each day I realized how difficult life is without clear vision. I failed to acknowledge a waving friend. Street lights were like a kaleidoscope while driving at night. But I could at least read.

Finally, one morning, my wife and I knelt to pray as is our custom. As I knelt at the foot of our bed, I leaned forward and glimpsed something caught between the footboard and mattress. It was my glasses. What joy; what surprise. It was a nice beginning to my day.

To a guy like me, the meaning was obvious. There is a connection between prayer and glasses. Basically speaking, prayer can clear up a lot of things in life. You just seem to see things better when you pray. So when darkness tends to blur things in your life, or friends or other associates seem oddly distanced from you, pray, and see if things don’t clear up a bit.

"Train"ing the Mind

Riding a commuter train to and from work can provide a revelation almost every day. You see so many different people; the variety is amazing. For the most part they mind their own business hunkered down in some carefully controlled little world. Most a busy with something... though some slumber away the miles and frequent stops.

As I looked around today, I noticed that some were lost in a book. A few were texting on their cell phones. The normal number were nodding their heads to tunes on iPods. One was carrying on a rather loud argument with his wife on his cell phone. It sounded like a divorce in the making. Another had his laptop on his lap, probably unable to leave work at the office. Still, a handful were talking, friends on their way home from college classes.

Now, it's not that any of these things are wrong or bad, some might even be necessary. However, there is another activity that could benefit anyone who tries it. I call it "train"ing the mind. Not bad for a Basicguy, huh. Just what is "train"ing the mind? Consider what you can learn by listening, thinking, and writing.

One of my sons and his wife gave me a small leather notebook for Father's Day for this very purpose. It's a place that I write thoughts and impressions while on the train. The process has made me a better person; a more thoughtful person. I'm also a more confident person because I carefully think things through and have a better idea which direction I need to go. Basically speaking, focused thinking and writing enriches my life.

Now, I know I'm just a Basicguy and you might feel I lack some expert degree to be talking about such a thing. Forget about me and just give it a try. what can you lose? Some sleep? Not every one rides a train everyday, but everyone has down time somewhere in the day. find your down moments and make some of them a little more productive. I did.

"Fake 'em Out!"

Most of us have some kind of hobby; something we love to do. I'm no different. I don't share or talk much about my hobbies beyond family and close friends. It can be a bit embarrassing when you blab about your hobby as if you are some kind of expert to someone who really is an expert (or at least appears more expert than you as you talk). When you come across someone who shares your passion for the hobby in question, they ultimately want to compare notes, or, worse yet, see your work. That's when the inferior flags go up: "may- day, may-day, danger approaching!" At least for Basicguys.

One of my hobbies is photography. Recently I was on a Hawaiian cruise. As we cruised to the next island, the ship's captain promised we would cruise the famous Na Pali coastline of Kauai. I found a good spot to shoot from and planted myself. I wasn't disappointed. The Na Pali is awesome. I fired shot after shot. The guy next to me was doing the same with a point-and-shoot. He watched as I changed lenses back and forth on my Canon DSLR. As I packed up my gear, he asked if I got some good shots. I could tell he felt a bit jealous. I said I thought I did. He said, "I'll see your stuff in National Geographic."

Of course, he assumed photography was more than a hobby for me because of my gear. But I've learned that it isn't the gear that makes the shot, but the person behind the gear. Don't get me wrong, many times more advanced gear provides advantages that a point-and-shoot can't match. Still, I've seen some nice stuff taken with a point-and-shoot. It just takes a little more time and patience to get it. I took a shot last Christmas that is suitable for printing and framing. It was a night shot taken with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3. I hand held the little 5 megapixel camera and used no flash. But its the composition that makes the shot. I took great care to only include what I wanted in the picture when I snapped the shutter.

So, the next time you have a chance to compare notes with a fellow hobbyist, take it. You will either learn something worth knowing and enriching your own hobby experience, or you will give someone else the motivation to take their hobby to the next level. Remember, with a little time and patience, you can show little flashes of brilliance in your hobby. Basically speaking, fake 'em out!

Ring True?

Well, it happened again. How many times can you feel good about announcing something that you very well know is a lie, or, at the very least, a deception? Now I know I’m just a Basicguy, but that just doesn’t seem, right. Maybe it’s OK to the privileged, or those who have told themselves that the means justifies some grand end. But somehow I can’t help but think it violates something… something good… something we shouldn’t lose or allow to slip from our grip. It’s something worth latching onto and never letting go. Do you know what I mean?

Here in my current home state (which isn’t the state of my home), a political issue is topping the news and water-cooler conversations. Here it’s known as Referendum 1. It deals with providing vouchers to families with students in the public schools, who have a desire to try a private school instead. The voucher awards $500 to $3,000 per student depending on the family income. Even at the highest amount, it is less than half of the total allotted to students in this state. So, those opposed to the voucher (mostly educators, both state and national), advertise that $459 million dollars will be siphoned out of the public schools. You can imagine what that number looks like to concerned parents. Of course they will vote against it. However, the ad doesn’t explain that more than half of the funds stay with the public schools, even though their class sizes diminish. Basically speaking, there is something devious about their selective information campaign.

If that was all the anti-voucher folk were saying, I’d think the voucher proponents might have a chance to refute the message. However, added to the multi-million dollar deficit lie is the suggestion that teachers in the private schools are not required to have certifications. False! So, parents in this state have to consider a huge loss of funds and ill-prepared teachers. They’d obviously wonder why anyone would even suggest a voucher plan that fails so miserably—a plan that was drafted and passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor. They must not have done their homework. I guess the only ones who know how to do the homework are the teachers—the same ones who have an invested interest in doing anything they can to not give private schools more money—who probably fear the competition.

Well, I don’t know about you, Basicguy’s like me are probably just not thoughtful enough to figure all these weighty things out. That being said, it sure seems strange that most of the people opposed to vouchers are public school teachers and the NEA. If there were a broader support for the opposition it might not look so odd. It might ring more true. As it is, every time I see a public school teacher of the year on TV proclaiming that Referendum 1 is bad for my home state, I’m basically saying to myself: “You mean, it’s bad for you.” Now that rings true for me.

Radical Islam’s Chink

I know I'm just a basicguy, but it seems to me that the Bush Doctrine (which in reality is the old doctrine of the Western World) has exposed a serious flaw, or chink, in Radical Islam’s holy armor. Bush’s doctrine of God-given Freedom and Liberty to people of every land, culture, and religion has incited a renewed holy jihad. One might ask: Why?

Well, basically, radical Islam obviously cannot trust its own people. Because of this concern, self-styled religious leaders of this movement seek to impose a strict and forbidding law upon its people. If they didn’t, as the history of the Western World attests, they would suffer a miserable defeat at the hands of Freedom and Liberty.

Radical Islam suppresses choice and forces its will upon the masses. They have to. Who in their right mind would choose a god or religion that stifles free thought or expression, hinders people’s motivation to learn and discover more about the secrets of God’s creations, and smother desires to live peacefully in a world with a variety of cultures and beliefs?

Maybe what it really comes down to is that the radicals of radical Islam don’t really trust themselves in a world of Freedom and Liberty. It may be the chink in their personal armor that leads them to such a destructive frenzy. What was it that the radicals did the night before taking flight on 9/11? They took advantage of the “evils” of a free society. Well, basically speaking, at least now they are in a position where their chinked armor is no longer tempted by the evil Western World.

Come to the Summit

I suppose it shouldn't be too hard to understand that a basicguy like me, just doesn't get! It is a hard pill to swallow when you find out you're not as smart as you thought you were. I mean, I have a Basic education (again, that's my high school's name), but I guess its just not enough. What am I talking about?

Health care. That's right, health care. I mean, I really care about health care. Don't you? If you don't, you haven't paid for a doctor's bill or medicine recently. It's obvious the presidential candidates do... at least they keep talking about it. The dems all seem to believe that the best way to fix the problem is to turn it all over to the federal government, they'll fix it. You know, the way they've fixed welfare and social security... with that track record we shouldn't let the government within 100 miles of the health care system. What are the republicans saying? Not much. Their answer is more about letting things ride to see if the market adjusts and eventually provides relief.

The real surprise to me is what the private health care professionals seem to be doing about it. They just keep billing the insurance companies as if they are deep pockets who in turn reach into the pockets of us plain old consumers.

Does it look like anyone really wants to seriously deal with the issue?

Now I know I'm just a basicguy, but basically speaking, if I had anything to do with it, I'd hold a summit on the health care crisis. Key industry practitioners, administrators, and thinkers in the private sector would be invited to attend. I'd lay down the simple truth that leaving things as they are would produce ever more expensive care and force Americans to choose the government/socialized options being spewed out by the dems just to make health more affordable. That solution would be a disaster for the private sector... and for me, and you. Yet people are slowly embracing the idea of national health care.

However, wouldn't it be better if the health care industry worked together to find practical solutions to the problem that allowed them to continue in business and yet provide excellent health care that the rest of the world dreams about? Americans have often stepped up when an identified crisis called. American ingenuity and hard work bailed us out of financial collapse and wars. Why not health care? Let's give them a chance.

So, Mr. or Mrs. President, invite them to "Come to the Summit". It seems to me that common folk, with a common goal, can work together to provide for the greater good. In the end everyone benefits. So, basically speaking, maybe its time to get back to basics. Why isn't anyone out there suggesting such a simple solution? I guess more people need a basic education.

Basically Speaking

A few friends have asked about the use of "basic" in many of my descriptions: basic blab; basic guy; basic thoughts; basic thinker; etc. Well it pretty much stems from my high school experience. I attended Basic High School. No joke. It's as real as money (well, some might challenge the reality of money). I can honestly say that I have a basic education. So, whenever I choose to share a thought in this type of forum, basically speaking, its from a basicguy.

Speaking of basic. I think we need more basic people in the world. Let me rephrase that. I think we need more exposure to basic people in the world. Wasn't there a show once--one of those news magazines--that had a guy traveling to select cities, finding a basic name in the phone book, and doing a story about something unique in that families life? There were some pretty interesting stories.

What do we get? Brittany Spears, Anna Nicole Smith, Howard Stern, Nicole Richey, Obama, Hillary, All Gore. What's basic about these people? In a word, nothing. I find most of the people in the news are overrated. They get show time when what they have to offer should garner no time. People living basic lives generally offer more depth and humanity than those in the lime light. But that's just the opinion of a basicguy.

However, basically speaking, if basic people were thrust into the center of the world's attention, would they remain basic? I would hope so. Some would be tempted and even drawn by the allure of popularity--the world's praise. But I think most would prefer the stardom enjoyed in their little world rather than the world at large.

As for me, I can't think of anyone in the news or in Hollywood or in the political arena that I would rather be--just a basicguy.

A Basic Blab

Is anyone out there as concerned with the state of things in the good ole USA as I am? I hope I'm not alone. But as I overhear conversations at work, listen to reporters on TV, and read the news, I get the feeling that forces are moving the world I've known in new, but concerning directions. More and more people seem to be embracing things that have always been hands off for me. Sometimes it feels like my world is shrinking around me.

You're probably wondering what I'm blabbing about. I suppose that is what you get from someone with a "basic" education.

Why is it that more and more people are looking for handouts? Would rather play for a living instead of work? Who often cheat their employer? Who hope to sue for wealth instead of saving their money? "It's the easy way or no way"… way more selfish than self-less… thinking only of self instead of the greater good.

I know I shouldn't pick on our congressmen this way (joke). Actually, you would be hard-pressed to find any organization or group of people that weren't severely affected by these influences. And just think, I haven't even scratched the surface of those things that are more concerning than these.

As the world gets uglier by the day, its important to find those who are doing their best to counter-balance the negative. I think I'll watch for examples for a couple of days and report what I find. In the meantime, be good for change. :-)