Smatterings of a Scattered Mind

Every time I read other people's articles, things pop into my head and I think, I should write something about that. We all do it. Some people actually proceed to put together a valid article. Right now, I'm postponing doing my "for Pay Ghost" articles and decided simply to make a smattering of things that I need to air.

The first is about all the hubbub on hatred. I read an article about the mosque going up at Ground Zero. I'm opposed to it, not because I hate the Muslims. I don't know any or maybe I do but it doesn't matter. I never start any conversations with "What's your religion?" The only requirement I have for friendship is that the people must like me, and then that's rather loosely interpreted. If they smile once in a conversation, they're in like Flint. What I have a problem with is the potential disrespect the survivors of victims may feel.

I'm sure the Muslim population as a whole are proud Americans too. I have some inklings that the fight to place the mosque there may be something one of the leaders wants and not the general Muslim population. Otherwise, they'd compromise and place it elsewhere. I also don't know all the details and because of the ignorance, can't speak on this intelligently.

The main point to this rambling is that people that feel it's wrong are now being called bigots and racists. It reminds me of the last presidential election where I lost friends because I supported McCain. One "person" called me a racist since I didn't like Obama's views. Frankly, he's not black, he's mixed, I'm mixed, and well over half the United States is racially mixed. I simply didn't like the man's views and policies. How is that racist? Are we not allowed to disagree lest we're intolerant?

The same thing is occurring with the mosque. Those that agree, not all mind you, tend to pat themselves on the back as forward thinkers while they turn their nose down at the dissenters labeling them racists, bigots, haters and everything wrong in the world. They're labeled Christian extremist and then we have a whole laundry list of all the bad things Christians did in the name of religion. News Flash: I never was in the Holy Wars, I haven't conquered anyone or ever killed anyone (but would if it meant saving the life of a loved one and only for that reason.) It's similar to racial prejudice, I never had a slave or refused friendship because of color.....I simply can't be that picky. There aren't people lining up outside to be my friend.

So, how are the name calling, self-righteous individuals not just as bad as the opposition that simply don't like Muslims? They aren't. Hate, regardless of whether it's noble or not, is still hate. Labeling of any sort is still labeling. Thoughtless and insensitive decisions, regardless of whether it's from Muslim or Christian is still in bad taste and is insensitive. AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL!!! Opinions are still opinions and everyone has one. They're like rectums. Everyone has one and even though I may think yours stinks, it works for you.

Am I Odd?

When reading Mike Miller's article on his Mikos diet he talked about truck snacks. That brought to mind one of my worse fears. Crashing over the Andes without enough food and having to eat another passenger. (I doubt I would be considered fare since I'm older and rather stringy. More of a stewing person that a roasting one.) Before my first plane trip, I read the book Alive. The book was about the soccer team that crashed over the Andes and had to eat some of the deceased teammates. It made a huge impression on me. If you read the article onhoarding food and coveting toilet paper, you'll recognize that one incident, not even my own can change my entire view of something.

On my first flight, I looked around the aircraft and saw no one that I would choose to consume. Before I took the return flight, I stopped and purchased large amounts of food to carry with me. I was traveling home from Florida and while the Andes weren't in the way, there were mountains.

Once home, I began to plan for my next flight. What could I take that would be nutritious and sustaining in the event of being lost in the mountains? A Christmas gift provided the answer. It was a gift package of beef jerky, cheese and a small canned ham that didn't need refrigeration. The canned ham traveled with me for over 6 years until my daughter mentioned that if I did crash one of two things would occur. Either I'd die from eating the probably now toxic and irradiated ham or people would kill me for my food. The ham got it's own ticket with frequent flyer miles and headed to a land unknown.

Today, however, even in a town famous for buffets and restaurants, Las Vegas, I still carry food along to snack upon during the day. I take bags of veggies, fruits and cheese. This last trip home my daughter made fun of me again when I took them for an overnight at a local casino to stow in the refrigerator in the room. However, it didn't stop her from chowing down on the goodies at night and the next morning. While it's still a worry about starving, it's also about not eating much at one meal and the ingredients in the buffet foods. Snacks are the way we eat now.

AND THE POINT IS????

It all comes back to differences in what's important and how we look things. Carrying bags of food through a casino would have mortified me in my youth. Today, I like it and find it convenient. Building a mosque near a tragedy seems tacky to me. Perhaps in ten years it will be no biggy. We all are different and have different opinions. Viva la difference! This doesn't mean that anyone's a bigot, ethnic cleanser, or other disgusting label. It simply means they have a different opinion. For those name callers: GET OVER IT!