A Different View of Global Warming

You may not have noticed, because it’s been a gradual change in the international climate. There’s evidence of a global warming that is thawing things long-frozen. It’s not evident everywhere, but in some surprising regions. And it’s not all bad news.

For those of us who grew up in the Cold War Era, the icy relationships between many nations was the norm. To keep the peace, each threatened war. Now, it seems, many of those former adversaries have found a way to get along, and many barriers have come down. Nevertheless, there remain several volatile regions, and a number of upstart countries that continue to upset the international balance.

This new global warming is manifested in a broad and sweeping international exchange. Many countries are becoming melting pots of different nationalities, as companies globalize, and business travel expands. Indeed, the international travel experiences of many of our college youth have made the world a much smaller place. Where, as children, many of us were content to travel out of state for vacations and education, many of our children now travel to foreign lands for the same reasons.

My own son, who showed little interest in travel during many of our family outings, has been to Europe three times, took summer classes in southern France, and spent a semester in Japan learning the language and culture. Twenty-two years ago, Jason was born with a shock of red hair, full of wonder and promise. This fall, still with his shock of red hair and full of wonder and promise, now a fresh graduate of The College of New Jersey, he will begin a year in Japan teaching English. Many of his friends have also traveled extensively during college and will be teaching our language in foreign lands as well.

The world is becoming a very small place. The products and services we use come from all over the globe. I recently bought four Arrow shirts at a department store, and when looking at the labels for their composition, found that one was made in Viet Nam, one was from Thailand, one was from Bangladesh and one was “Heche en Mexico.” Soon after, I spoke with a customer service representative from a credit card company – she had a delightful southern belle’s name and an interesting southern accent, tinged with a taste of India. A mere generation ago, none of these would have seemed possible.

As the world becomes smaller, and national boundaries fade, the need to communicate in various languages becomes more important. All of mankind’s advances are built on the scientific and intellectual knowledge base of previous generations. The most efficient way to build on that knowledge is to make it universal through translation, so that language is not a barrier to progress. But translation alone is not enough; cultural differences must be bridged in order to build trust, the key to communication.

Our children are more tolerant of the differences between cultures, having been raised at a time when discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex or creed was at its lowest ebb in our history. With their greater tolerance and their intellectual curiosity, as they travel, hopefully they serve as goodwill ambassadors, leaving their hosts with favorable impressions of us and building the trust necessary to allow communication to thrive. With that, we can truly be proud of our legacy.

For many generations, parents have worked to insure that their children’s lives were better than their own. We may have reached a point of diminishing returns, where the material advances are no longer sustainable. But richer lives for our children need not be measured by possessions; peace and collective prosperity may be better and more noble measures of their success, gauged by what they give rather than what they receive, and what they share rather than what they consume.

By sharing our language and culture with others, and by learning other languages and cultures in return, our children can build bridges and tear down walls, and continue the thaw that has begun. This global warming is perhaps the most encouraging sign of the times. Our attempts to plant democracy in the Middle East need more fertile lands and a warm, less incendiary climate. Maybe our youth can help to turn swords into plowshares, harness the winds of change, and sow the seeds of peace.

The Closet Conspiracy

Deep in the recesses of your closet, an amazing transformation is taking place. Clothes, which have been hanging in obscurity for years are slowly but surely shrinking. This may not be alarming in itself, but there’s a vast clothing conspiracy that threatens us all, if not physically, at least psychologically.

Have you ever noticed that the longer clothes hang in your closet, or remain stuffed in drawers, the smaller they get? It could be the darkness, or maybe some sort of atrophy is taking place, but there can be no denying it – those clothes used to fit! The conspiracy extends beyond size, though. It involves other articles of clothing, accessories, and that omnipotent cleaning agent, bleach.

Socks are the footsoldiers in this conspiracy. It’s just not possible that so many pairs have been reduced to individuals. They must either be deserting, or involved in some sort of foreign exchange. Or maybe there’s a parallel universe, where single socks are respected for their individuality.

Collar stays are another mysterious part of this conspiracy. First of all, why are they called stays, when clearly they don’t? Secondly, they must have socks genes in them, because those that do stay are almost always alone, and never with the shirt that bore them.

Belts, like clothes, shrink over time. Either that, or the holes keep moving. Neckties seem to get shorter, too. They no longer seem to reach the belt to hide the used holes that have moved into view. Then again, even new ties seem to be shorter. Maybe it’s a union thing.

Then there are buttons, particularly shirt buttons. For some reason, those that are near the top or on the sleeves seem to have a desire to unthread, while those below the beltline seemingly won’t come off with anything short of a chainsaw. And what happens to that last buttonhole at the bottom of the shirt? Almost invariably, it seems to close up – there’s a button there, but no hole!

Favorite clothes are most susceptible to bleach. In fact, there doesn’t even need to be contact. The mere presence of bleach in the area is enough to cause a reaction. Or is it jealousy of the other clothes, and our favorites fall victim to attack when we’re not looking?

This misfortune befalls us as we get older and our closets and drawers become more and more full. We add new clothes at a faster rate than we discard old ones, and in so doing, neglect the old ones. Those that are neglected hang together, hiding behind each other, conspiring to never be worn again, like that will teach us a lesson. But then they attack our favorites and chase our socks away.

Perhaps the solution lies in outing this conspiracy. Until then, at least for the items of clothing that have merely shrunken out of our reach, we can donate them to smaller, less well-rounded people, who might use them enough to keep them from shrinking any further.

"Quailty" is King

Once upon a time, the term, “Made in USA,” meant something about the high quality of the goods and the pride of the workers who made them. Then something happened. We took our collective eye off the ball, and turned inwardly, concerned more about “me” than “us.”

Remember the ad campaigns for Ford (“At Ford, Quality is Job One”), and Maytag (the lonely Maytag repairman)? Those ads have faded away, and so has the sentiment behind them. Have you noticed the decline in quality of products under those two great names? They’re not alone – many great names are suffering the same fate. Even Craftsman and Kenmore, the stalwart store brands of Sears, aren’t what they used to be.

One of the factors behind this is greed, pure and simple. Companies have become so short-term, bottom-line oriented, that investment in the future has suffered. And what greater investment in the future could there be than satisfying customers so they return for more? Incentive-based compensation programs have wreaked havoc on our values. We’ve all witnessed the huge windfalls that company executives have reaped while they drove their companies to bankruptcy, by cooking the books to achieve short-term objectives. Not only does this hurt the companies and their investors, but employee loyalty and pride suffers as well.

Businesses, in an effort to trim their costs to improve their financial outlook (or at least their look), often reduce benefits to employees; that is, if they don’t lay them off first. I recently reviewed a resume from someone who had been downsized, and was looking for a new professional opportunity. It was clear that he embodied one of the very things that had cost him his job. He spoke of his focus on “Quailty.” Wow! If I was looking for resluts, he’d be my man.

For those of us planning for retirement, Social Security’s no security - many of us have paid in to the program for years, only to hear that our checks might not be coming when we’re finally able to collect them. Gone are the days of great pension programs in private industry. Many have been replaced with stock option programs, which make retirement a game of chance, rather than a matter of choice. Of course, not everyone can improve their lot by misrepresenting the facts to drive the value of their company’s stocks up, and then cash in before anybody catches on, can they?

Another factor is competition. We have been world leaders in raising the standard of living in poor countries, in part by outsourcing production to them, and in so doing, exporting our prosperity. The irony here is that we outsource because it is cheaper; the prosperity that results in other countries increases their standard of living, which is a good thing; the resulting buying power increases demand for goods that are produced, and the cost goes up. We’re going to Hell in a Hyundai. Just look at the cost of oil, now that other countries (particularly China and India) are becoming industrialized and are competing with us for this vital, limited commodity.

In economics, it has often been said that a rising tide lifts all boats. The analogy doesn’t take into account those boats that are firmly tied to their moorings. In many ways, we are anchored by our greed, and our tendency to avoid low-paying and low-skilled jobs, choosing outsourcing instead. Our middle class is shrinking in the process. The gulf between the upper and lower classes is growing wider. But wasn’t it the middle class that was responsible for most of the progress we’ve made over the past hundred years or so? We’re failing our youth by making them feel that being in the middle class isn’t good enough for them. We’ve adopted our parents’ notion that we want the next generation to be better off than ours, but ignored what it takes to achieve that – sayin’ it don’t make it so.

Unions were responsible for much of the growth of the middle class in the past. But many of the unions have succumbed to the same element, greed, and have lost their luster. In addition, they've lost much of their competitive edge. Instead of providing job skills and job opportunities, they’ve focused on job security, and in some cases, so much specialization that they’ve priced themselves out of the market. Unions have a place in our future, but they have to adapt to it.

Once upon a time, the term, “Made in USA,” meant something about the high quality of the goods and the pride of the workers who made them. Our great nation needs to return to those bygone days. We need to take pride in our work, and concern ourselves with the quality of the goods we make. We need to export our products instead of our production. Our lives and our national security depend on it. It’s no longer about me. It’s about U.S.

Circle of Life

I think I’ve figured out the circle of life. At birth, we start with a clean slate. In childhood, we learn everything. During our teen years, we think we know everything, and others, particularly parents, know nothing. Early adulthood is the time when we test everything we know. As we reach midlife, we realize that almost everything we know is wrong. Then come our senior years, when we no longer realize that almost everything we know is wrong and don’t really care. Finally, in old age, we’ve forgotten much of what we knew, and the slate is clean again. The circle is complete.

Watching infants can be fascinating. Armed with only some pre-programmed instincts, they begin to connect the dots of their surroundings, and express their delight as they figure things out, and dismay as they meet with frustration. Their innocence, though short-lived, brings joy to those around them. To see them develop is rewarding in itself, but helping them balance their successes and failures and not allow either to define their existence, pays dividends as they grow and contribute to society.

As the hormones kick in, and the bodies begin to mature, the minds of children take on an air of independence. They test the limits set by others, and develop a feeling of invincibility. Unfortunately, for some, tempting fate is a losing proposition. Fortunately, for most, they survive, either by luck or by design. Luck is their own, but design is usually in the form of someone else’s guidance or protection.

Young adults begin to take on responsibility, and experience true independence. This new perspective is often quite revealing, and they begin to appreciate the guidance and protection they’ve received throughout their lives. Their parents, who for so many years became stupid, miraculously recover and become smart again. As they become parents themselves, they begin to understand, and yes, even emulate, the parents they swore they’d never be like.

As we reach midlife, we consider whether we’ve made all the right choices and taken advantage of all of the opportunities presented along life’s way. We realize that we haven’t, and try to make up for it while there’s still time. We see reality differently, with less optimism and more pragmatism. We know that the present is the only truly manageable dimension of time; the past cannot be changed; and the future can be planned, but what will be, will be.

In our senior years, complacency sets in and we become more and more steadfast. Intellectual atrophy begins to take its toll, and we don’t think as deeply anymore or worry as much (at least, not about important things). As we ease into old age, memories may begin to fade and the dots may begin to disconnect, but the memories that remain are as vivid as can be, and should be captured for future generations. We find ourselves becoming dependent on others to help us balance our successes and failures. Those who help are often the same ones who have a full schedule taking care of children, shouldering their responsibilities, and managing their own lives. But they help willingly, because they are deeply indebted to their elders, who have made so much possible through their generosity, and whose wisdom remains a source of inspiration.

So, enjoy and nurture the wonderment of a child. Be patient, yet strong, with a teenager who pushes your buttons, or takes unreasonable risks. Accept responsibility and become independent as soon as you are ready, but you alone are accountable for your actions or inactions. When you start to study the balance sheet of your life, don’t panic; take the time you have left and make a difference. Try hard not to become complacent, and keep your mind sharp by keeping it active. Above all, be thankful for all you have, generous with all you give, and gracious for all you receive. With that, you’ll truly make a difference.

Communification

Maybe most of the turmoil in the world boils down to misunderstanding. Maybe the problem is with the English language, and our American dialectic permutations of it. Messages can be befuddling, and the receiver may not perceive what the sender intends. Let’s just say that we need unification of communication - communification.

President Bush is famous for his malapropisms and mispronunciations. He talked in his first debate against then-presidential candidate Senator Kerry about how the enemy fought “vociferously.” You’d think that would have made them less deadly and easier to find. He talks regularly about looking for nucular weapons, but somehow I don’t think he’ll find any in Iraq, North Korea, or anyplace else, for that matter. But in the debate, he probably meant “fiercely,” and just got caught up in the moment. We also know that many people mispronounce nuclear, but if Bush hopes to be able to eradicate the threat of nuclear devastation, he needs to find a new, clear word. Maybe “atomic” would work better for him.

After the election, President Bush stated that he had a mandate. I’m not sure if that was intended to be an admission of an indiscretion or a declaration of victory. Given his “homo-pathy,” I doubt that he was making a veiled confession, à la former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey, whose man-date clouded his judgment and compromised his ability to lead. Then again, based on the divisive nature of his campaign and the resulting polarization of the electorate on many issues, it’s inconceivable that the President meant that he had a clear direction from the American people, right?

Aside from mistakes or duplicity (intentional or otherwise), there are words that just don’t say what they mean. After all, we park on our driveways and drive on our parkways; our noses run and our feet smell. Grocery store circulars are rectangular. This is probably the result of someone’s grand design to keep people guessing.

Then there are words that are inadvertently distorted by their users, and through their colloquialism, become accepted parts of the language. Take, for example, “irregardless.” Though probably a blend of “irrespective” and “regardless,” it really breaks down to mean the opposite of what it says. And how about “inflammable,” which means, oddly enough, “flammable.” If indecent means, “in really poor taste,” why doesn’t ingenious mean, “really stupid?” And since “oversight” is either the act of overseeing or the result of inattention, is Congressional Oversight a responsibility or an excuse?

We also make words much more complicated than they need to be, or use words that are obscure, and in the process, obfuscate the irrefutable derivations of their etymologies. Of course, that’s an oversimplification.

Speaking of oversimplification, let’s not forget oxymorons. Many politicians are clearly vague about what they stand for, or consistently inconsistent in their deeds. Others are decidedly indecisive, or surprisingly unflappable.

It has been suggested that President Bush’s brother, Jeb, is being groomed for a run at the Presidency. Is it appropriate to groom a Bush? Shouldn’t they be pruned? And why isn’t “pruning” the effect of drying plums? Wouldn’t it just be plum dandy to have another Bush in the Rose Garden?

So it’s no wonder we offend people and don’t understand why. It’s difficult enough to figure out what we’re saying in our own language, but imagine the translation errors! On top of that, add a little Texas Swagger-Speak, and Lord a’ Mercy! Who knows what we mean?

Finally, the concept of fear and loathing may relate to clear communication: we often fear that which we don’t understand. In time, we hate that which we often fear. Maybe the key to peace is understanding. Maybe the key to understanding is using words that are less inflammatory…and so it goes.

Dogmata

Sometimes we just have to make difficult choices. And often, they’re not between right and wrong, but between the lesser of evils. Such was my dilemma this morning as I walked our dog.

Travis is a great dog, a melting pot of pedigrees, and very much a creature of habit. He lives for his morning walks with his dad, and hesitates to go out of the house without his leash. His exercise routine consists of walk, sniff, walk, sniff, leg lift, walk, sniff, leg lift…, and ends with a carefully considered fertilization of our pachysandra bed, which thrives on his daily contributions.

So, imagine my surprise and horror when, halfway through the walk, he suddenly stopped in front of one of my neighbor’s homes, and proudly presented a gift that they would surely remember. My first reaction, of course, was to look around and see if there were any witnesses. Then, my conscience took over, and I thought of the consequences if this roadside bomb got into the wrong hands or feet.

Completely unprepared, I was up the street without a shovel, if you will. I looked around for a solution, and spied an advertising newspaper in a bag in front of another neighbor’s home. And now the dilemma: do I violate the pooper scooper laws, or do I steal the bag. Even though the “No Pile Left Behind” laws are underfunded and underenforced, I believe in them. Assuming that the advertising newspaper was not something that Nick and Susan looked forward to anyway, I liberated it from the bag and left the paper at their mailbox.

Now, for Travis’s part, he was quite bewildered by my intervention. I won’t soon forget his look of righteous indignation, since he was only doing what dogs do. His eyes betrayed his question, “What gives you the right to make my business your business?” It never occurred to me that I may have violated his rights. But he’ll just have to get over it, and maybe learn that keeping the peace in the neighborhood is everyone’s business.

I wonder how Congress would have dealt with this matter. I guess the Republicans would have denied responsibility and blamed it on another dog, while at the same time beginning to take action, and the Democrats would have carefully studied their options, while filibustering to keep the resolution from coming to a vote. The Republicans, if the President felt it was unfinished business, would have found the biggest, baddest bulldozer in the land, emblazoned it with the Presidential Seal, excavated half the neighborhood and beamed as they declared, “Mission Accomplished!” Then they would have contracted with Halliburton for the endless reconstruction effort and feeding the army of people required to justify the cost of the project, and then defended the resulting increase to the budget deficit as a national priority. The Democrats, on the other hand, might have deferred action to examine Travis’s motives and build a coalition, while at the same time reassuring everyone with, “We have a plan!”

Some choices are harder to make than others. Only history can judge whether our physical and financial security is better under a man with a plan or a dude with a ‘tude, and the history books won’t be written for awhile. Stealing the bag was an easy choice, since it’s better and less embarrassing to ask for forgiveness now rather than to have asked for permission in the first place. So, Nick and Susan, please forgive me for stealing the bag. And Travis, thanks for giving me something to think about while walking the half-mile back home, bag-in-hand. I get it now – it was really a gift for me! How thoughtful!

Solitary Confinement

Consider, if you will, the effect of a sentence of life in solitary confinement without the chance of parole. Such is what I imagine that Terri Schaivo endured for the last fifteen years of her life. She committed no crime to warrant her punishment, but she bore it nonetheless. No one gains by continuing such punishment, and so it is right that it ended.

Terri’s husband, Michael, held out hope for several years that his wife would recover. He did everything in his power to make that happen. But when it became clear that there would be no recovery, he realized that he had lost her. Terri’s parents, the Schindlers, never gave up. Unfortunately, the price of their faith was the continued punishment of the daughter they love so much.

Legally, Michael Schaivo had the right and the responsibility to make decisions on his wife’s behalf. Despite attempts by others to rewrite the laws and reinterpret the existing laws, that fact remains. His decision to discontinue the mechanical feeding of his wife was undoubtedly a difficult one, and should have been a personal one. However, it became public, serving as a lightning rod for those who support right-to-life, while demonstrating the need for clear personal care directives. I wouldn’t wish his decision on anyone, and I admire his determination to see it through, despite the acrimony surrounding it.

I also admire the Schindlers, for keeping their daughter foremost in their thoughts. However, perhaps it’s time for them to shift their focus to their memories of Terri when she was healthy, and remember her as she was before fate dealt its terrible blow. To have hoped for nothing short of a miracle, and to have tied up the federal government and the high courts of the land is not a fitting memorial. However, they can be proud of the fact that their efforts caused a great stir in the country, and as a result, many people have learned the importance of personal directives. Surely, that can be part of Terri’s legacy.

If you don’t want your spouse to have to make difficult choices for you if you become incapacitated, then you should make sure that your directives are clear and legally binding. If you don’t trust your spouse to make the right choices in the absence of such directives, that’s a different problem altogether, but all the more reason to make sure that your directives are clear.

For my part, I don’t want to be kept alive artificially. If there’s no hope for recovery, there’s no point in depleting financial resources and adding to the spiraling healthcare costs in our country. However, if there’s a medical benefit to be gained, if my delayed demise can help doctors to learn valuable information, or allow my idle organs to be used to extend someone else’s life, I’ll be happy to stick around.

Terri's plight is finally over, and her solitary confinement has ended. As sad as her story has been, she leaves the world a better, more enlightened place. For that, we should all be grateful, and her family can truly be proud.