Chris' Lounge

Remember, to see the posts, click on the link in the column to the right “everything about…” – thank you for your spike today in readership folks!

New post, analyzing the Republican party presidential nominee choices! Use the link on the right column here, to reach the page for my unique analysis!

Hello dear reader; I have migrated some of my blog. What that means, is that to read my new post from today, you can click on the right margin where it says, “Everything about film-shorts.tv and me” etc. Clicking there, will take you to my very important post of the weekend.

Some of you reading my prior most recent post, might have been surprised by my comment in summation: “b++++ better have my money.” Though I quote lyrics from Rihanna, and while you would need to investigate the context for which she sings about that, I can think of no better application of her sentiment, than to scoff at theft.
Is my use of her words, a comment, coming from a sentiment of greed and narcissism? Not anymore than perhaps hers, and just maybe not at all. Overly burdensome taxation is stealing.
Stealing is stealing. Whether stealing from the a rich person or from a poor person, the act of using federal and state law to egregiously apply policies of disproportionately high taxation is unjust; further, to disrupt public trust by having a history of using those dollars in a less than efficient or criminal manner (obscuring proper return of service to the person’s tax collected), penalties (in a just society) would not seem uncalled for. And so, taxation (as looting), is ever more a concern, when it go beyond levels of collected amounts that exceed financial well-being of its citizens and economy. When that which is collected, becomes taken as an act of greed – perpetrated against the servile (instead of judiciously collected and used for all with sensitivity to all), the needs of community which are consistent with genuine and just taxation levels and means become betrayed in the process. The recent history of federal income tax procedures, is also an area in which light must be shined. The facts show, just how much an extension of power our tax collection system has become – as a feudal model, against individuals, families, businesses and organizations.

A woman today (politician or not), was quoted on network radio hours ago, as addressing the public with her stated justification for wanting to undermine state law, in connection with Proposition 13 specifically. Bear in mind, raising taxes anywhere within our state law, is a legislative concern voiced by the public voting block; and not in the interest except of a rogue and malicious (or ignorant neophyte) state politician. The statement on radio, on the 10th of June, was: “Proposition 13 was designed ages ago to protect grandma from losing her home”. And in simliar words but exact case in point: “that it is no longer a modern need”. What this woman was saying, due to lack of sound argumentation, is that in premise “we can afford tax hikes today, unlike old grandma years ago”, and that “there is no justification for protecting today’s public, through laws like Proposition 13”, [from arbitrary and malicious tax hikes to supply state legislation easy street]. Her premise is totally misguided and deceives young or ignorant listeners, who have maybe not investigated the relevancy of Proposition 13 for their own present and future, even today is it continue to protect their interest during and after their parents’ lives. Proposition 13 was, and is still designed, to protect “grandma” today, as it was to protect her own children, and everyone’s “grandma” years ago as it did them then. Are opponents, who support the attack on Proposition 13, somehow expecting us to believe that we have fewer grandmas and grandpas today, than we did back then? Or, that somehow their children will not have mounting and escalating private costs of care for them? Here’s a fact: The “baby boom” generation in sheer numbers alone, is proof that there are huge numbers of seniors now. That is one reason why so many families say “Hands off! There are limits to what we can tolerate!”They/we are affected by sustained economic downturn of the latest century’s dawn. Is this radio interviewee, suggesting that there are fewer numbers today, than there were when Prop. 13 came to law? She needs to fact check her statement and intentions. Are opponents of our law ready to defend the false premise, that there are and will be fewer poor elderly in their family homes now than there were then? Moreover, are opponents of the law, like her, retorting that somehow age matters when it comes to who pays taxes? That would be highly discriminatory and misaligned. No wonder her view is so unpopular.
Proposition 13, my readers, was crafted as a law to protect against tyrannical government. It spares us from a whole spectrum of unpopular taxes that trickle down to every consumer. Ontop of the sufficient taxation we already abide by, some wish for them to keep on going up and up, subsidizing government… punishing family inheritances (and everyone else), despite an already darkly-motivated related law on the federal level: the death tax (which by the way is also being proposed to go up and up if the current president has success of his intent); never mind that alone! Opposing Proposition 13, focuses government and bureaucratic power against all of us who own or rent property, because for the government, amending it [Pro. 13], would take control away from you, and would ingratiate government, with further privilege over you. These opponents’ target, includes everyone who lives under a roof in California. And, by the way, punishing small businesses in the process, might make you think you’re not affected. Think again, it is the small businesses along with private homeowners, who benefit from Proposition 13 in many ways – ask Proposition 13’s local office “how so?”, for more details. They’ll be able to tell you a list of reasons if you only ask, especially if you take time to get on their mailing list. That protection, includes safety for everyone who isn’t hell-bent on tearing down one of the last great institutions that protect private citizens, from government overreach.
So to re-cap and summarize: Proposition 13 protects us from arbitrary and devious financial gouging, by increasing voter control and safety valves anytime a vote increase is requested by the rogues in state power. And, it [Prop. 13] remains as important (maybe even more so today) now, a protection, as it always has been. Just because the law is “old”, does not in any way suggest that it should be thrown away or even amended. Some of the oldest inventions and laws ever made, remain the most fundamentally relevant and needed ones, for ages to come and pass.
So again, in closing, 1.  We have just as many (more) “grandmas” and “grandpas” today who need Proposition 13, some of whom can’t even get to vote on any ballot – and we need our united voice of all ages, to sustain in helping them and us of all age group. The argument that somehow Proposition 13 is not relevant? That’s a bunch of rubbish, a lie. That supposition is just an attempt to undermine quality governance, in order to please an ill tempered minority, that expressly lack compassion or understanding for the law’s fundamental reason for existing. Gouging, under the threats to lack to public service or any other scare tactic, is immoral. A better government will more carefully consider what expenditures it even permit to be voted on by our ballot. 2. The public already has high rates of tax collections; and they need to be better spent, and not spent on bloated or corrupt dealings. The dollars, must be allocated for the “boring” needs that we always have had – all the way up to the priority agenda, as voted on by ballot each cycle. Along with the conservative voting block, we say: “Hands off our houses”. And, “Stop taxing death”. We vote down superfluous laws. So, hands off of our prop 13! And finally, to quote a rap singer out of Barbados: “B**** better have my money!” We’re not talking hundreds of collective dollars; no, were talking a much bigger sum. The roofs over our heads that we have. And if you think I’m overstating the significance of this, on behalf of multitudes of people in the “golden state”, and beyond, think again.

Forgive me Lord if I am in error in posting this: Is it immoral to use prophylaxis other than abstinence or natural family planning methods, in order to share one of God’s most incredible gifts to mankind between man and woman for its dual purpose? Two loving hopeful parents, who wish to conceive, have no need for prophylaxis. But, are those who use prophylaxis sexually immoral? I don’t think so. God chooses who is to produce children, and so, those who don’t yet or forever, are in my view forgiven. I would like to add, that selfishness can be born in the hearts of those who desire having children, just as it can in those who do not, and visa versa. And sex, in itself, is not a selfish act.

I posit, that adults find comfort believing that their numerical age testifies to their level of maturity. A delusion perhaps, that they may be immune from common childhood emotions. In fact, we know, that adults can feel rage in levels beyond that of a child’s capacity, jealousy, or hate. Adults can even humiliate each other. So why all the focus on kids? I’ll comment on that gladly after a few points. Do young parents value emotional intelligence quotients? It’s possible that today, young families are attracted to the values of these ideas which is cause for optimism.

Adults find coping mechanisms, tools, beliefs, and strategies in general, to overcome their difficulties. They should take time to share that also with their own children, by finding outlets that are age appropriate. While we have been battered and bruised in life, tried and challenged, uplifted and encouraged, disappointed and pleased, children have sometimes less at their disposal. Some parents may be offering more assistance of this kind, than their peer classmate is getting at their respective home. Maybe that is why, some emotions spill over? Not always do kids have the luxury or ability to remove themselves mentally, just far and long enough from the emotion, in order to communicate and strategize on how to feel better about the situation. Sadly, in some cases, it seems evident that adults have trouble knowing how to offer compassion to the kids who encounter everyday problems. At best, they need attention. That is very true in cases where values centered on competing, may become more important in the household than building harmony is. The goal ought to be, a family which can share complaints with one another and maybe even about each other, face to face, without retaliation. Sometimes kids see parent’s shortcomings and parents refuse to own up. Visa versa. If there is no aim to work toward resolution, the pupil’s positive growth might result in being inhibited. Or, an incident in a school might occur, with blame to go around everywhere.

And so, it’s every bit as important as learning common subjects is, to receive compassion with regard to learning how to manage the feelings that are valid, no matter how obscure or bizarre they may seem to the observer or socially oriented worker.

In grade school, guidance counselors and psychologists, and/or the school nurse, have an important task in partnership with teachers, in recognizing troubled youth. As the goals intensify, in hurried and vast curriculums; and as emotional outlets might be in a diminish, youth can find their frustrations building… with no optimism that the pressure will decline.

These school employees need to (in my view) not laud over-achievement, should recognize, counter, and caution excessive shyness, should discourage excessive classroom disruptions, and so forth. Sometimes, the counselors or other school staff might recognize that a particular sport, or a music program, is exactly what a particular youth need. Maybe the pupil needs to be permitted to drop a class, or be held back a year? Such school employees should take the initiative to contact the pupil’s parent(s), to suggest emotional outlets that are fitting to the particular student in such circumstances.

Maybe a karate class outside of school, a religious program, dance, or private tutoring, are investments that will truly help to prevent the “water from boiling over” into drastic and tragic events.

And, these employees should also respect the parents’ decisions with regard to extra-curricular activities. It is even perfectly acceptable to home school.

Worried or simply conscientious parents of the very young, might look at a website that seems youth oriented and well-meaning: “operationrespect.org” . Emotional intelligence is a life asset that some adults lack from time to time (as we face certain pressures), but is evermore essential for both adults and youth alike.

This post is a provocation with the aim to stimulate private discussions about college, and, what qualities of colleges [or a college] are so cherished.

With increasing growth of interest in higher-learning (being an academical) across much of the world and United States, I prompt  students’ examination for reasons for feeling a need to be college enrolled. That seems in today’s world, a “way-out-in-left-field” pondering. Wouldn’t everyone go if they could? And, by no means do I take my own education without gratitude. But, just why is enrollment so important to so many? Many of our ancestors did not go to college. But, yes, it was through their labor, sacrifice, and tenacity, that an American society could support the building of universities. Visionaries had to be put in place as well. Along with “Yankees” who waged war against Mexicans – also indigenous Native Americans, European conquistadors and prospectors bringing disease and fine spices new to the US territory, harvesters of native gold, Scandinavian explorers and Englishmen, religious missionaries, traders, Chinese laborers, refugees, asylum seekers, political prisoners, explorers & “Yankees” (many of whom enslaved and imported native Africans and Latins to clear land and harvest upon), so too did European immigrants participate in this nation building, enamored with the budding promise of religious freedom and abundant quality of life. The “schooling”, would come to produce the large buildings that would house teachers and pupils, in these “schools” we today still hold so dear to us. Just whose blood and gold paid for these schools? Maybe we’ve arrived at the day where can say… “We all built them”. And, some of us, more indigenous than others, come together in this magical way, to learn on this land where much blood was shed. Our nation was able to support institutional operations that last still through to today, with gold (much of it imported), printed currency, government, churches, trade, military; and yes, even gangsters and criminals, as foundation. Certainly, the coal mines and steel mills during the American industrial revolution were no place for higher learning philosophes and authors (but in some capacity they ran it or fostered the growth, not to forget to mention wrote about it)… but our country looks quite better today, thanks to them all. The poor… they too built this country, by enduring, long after 1776. So what place does college study have for us today? With a sustained upward trend of more competition with one another for patents etc. within a college environment, one should give pause (after graduation) to give some thought, as to the investment made, of hard-earned family income and time. One should reflect, on being exposed to the learnings attained in an eco-system that is a college community campus, in which there really is little minority of “ancestral diversity”. Our success has been riding on a meeting of multitude of culture. As was said by other(s): through “compassion”. On graduation day, are you still just “a number” to be exploited by a company? Are your chances for further investment truly good? Or are you still no more immune from ridicule, from slavery, in the knowing that you could be replaced by an NYU, Columbia, or Harvard grad the very next day, in the blink of an eye? Maybe your employer is threatening you for sexual favors, keeping secrets, engaging in corruption? Is the purpose of education, to distinguish yourself as a more valued intellectual asset from the others? Is it to find collaboration with perceived equals? Is it a place to gain wisdom and social direction? Is it a place to emancipate yourself? Is education about trade specialty? Is it about “cross-platform” applications of multiple-discipline. Is it about charity? Is it about learning tact? Is it about learning tact-ic? Is it? Is it? Is it? Ask yourself. Is it about the broader appreciations and learning gratitude – ie. learning to take pause, to experience joy, to laugh and cry, to not just create arts, but consume arts (visa versa), to experience culture and respect for that of others? If it’s just about getting your pay check, have you applied your studies to afford listening, cooking, taking up a hobby, dating, or learning more of what spikes your curiosity? Have you learned how to pick up the slack where others lack? In general… have you learned how to enjoy the progress that we have made on the backs of our ancestors? Would they be proud with how you have applied your knowledge?

Education should be desired for giving us the tools to defend the most precious of our personal beliefs-with the insight on how to distinguish and respect that (uniquely and separately from our collective beliefs – where we can come together with less controversy). Do colleges teach values of love? How do our schools nurture values in all students, that preserve our individual existence and freedoms, if Christianity is blotted? That is like trying to put grass on a torrential river – it just won’t stick! Christians are ruled by love! And those of other religions who are ruled by love, have much to offer colleges. We must speak out for one another. In the hungry quest for knowledge and exploration, is our goal simply to search out revenue streams to establish social dominance? Or, do we actually learn to enjoy what we do, for the sake of the other end? To take one subject alone without prejudice (since any subject could be used to illustrate this): science, it can and is applied to better life, for instance by life saving surgery… but are we being compassionate, when we attempt to extend life beyond natural living years, for the sake of profit? In college research, are we using our findings to be in discord with religious Christian belief? Are we researching only for reward, recognition, and personal feelings of accomplishment, praise and personal enrichment? There, in the physical halls of study, is one learning what to do with the education paid for – or acting, as extensions and slaves of political ideology of the day? Are your tuition dollars reinvesting in you? Or, in the needs of a larger state economy? Ideally it should teach you how to form belief, to learn integrity, and how to best apply your knowledge to serve you and others. But is that what is really happening? Maybe so. But you need to ask yourself that. When you graduate, will you really have graduated to be free to exercise and apply your learnings? Are your peers or teachers harvesting your creativity – ultimately for their profit and comfort? Are you finding financial well-being & remuneration? Put your learnings to shake-up or outright oppose the status quo. In some form, take a risk. Maybe, many risks. If you’re reading this, maybe you are thinking: I want to take a risk that I have not yet. Do it! Recognize your limitations, certainly don’t blame everyone but yourself; engage and squarely blame where it belongs! You have to start somewhere with how you are going to utilize what you’ve learned.

These are things all students of life should consider. Learning in a “fish bowl” does stimulate innovation, supplies state and federal revenue, gathers some of the most ambitious persons, groups the most promise; and in exchange, one garners time and safety to afford research, build relations with fellow students, and also relations with teachers who in their own manner, benefit from you. And, not only in terms of their salary, benefits and pensions. Colleges invest their time and money, in doing the best they can, to educate. They are inspired, and inspiring at best.

So, why not take a little bit of time, to find your allies. To find your comfort that will supply your endeavors. To trust in the process of finding answers to your questions, as opposed to the questions put forth to you by someone else. Be careful not to just be there for those who pick your grapes… who publish your innovation, before you can bottle the wine.

The analogy leads me to this blog. In a way, this blog is my soil – my vineyard.. and I invite you to taste. I write posts without pay, and I also pay to write. It’s not all that I do. And, you’re always free to “spit”. I know I’ve said before, that I would supply certain data in the future to my readers. And, I truly thank you for your interest. It’s a fantastic personal endeavor from which I enjoy teaching. But I need you to spread the word, to bring in registered readers, so that advertising dollars sustain me. In terms of being a trustworthy source, I don’t shy away from imparting knowledge. And while feedback in most operations is helpful, in this one, it’s poison. Because, feedback potentially alters what needs to be read at this point. I am censoring feedback that would otherwise potentially silent me. I care too much about what I write to you, to let that happen. And instead, rely on particular professional sources and private sources, to guide my postings.

This coming Nov. election cycle, and the next one, I was planning to impart politicians’ names of those who vote a particular way. Maybe I still will. But, I’ve reconsidered. No, not in order to appease the wishes of anyone who might be dissatisfied with my opinion, or who might feel threatened by my potential to controvert; rather to encourage you, as you read this, to do your research of candidates and issues. The most basic of civil right requires that you are informed, socially engaged, and vigilant. By finding personal information made known publicly of candidates… searching for reasons why they believe as they do on a particular issue… looking at voting records if possible, fighting voter fraud by supporting laws that bolster fairness, and investigating if their plans suit you – you get to decide rightly. Why go to college, if you don’t even bother to do this simple thing? It’s your brain and your life! The research would supply you with vision and understanding of whether or not these leaders (who really do impact our lives greatly by their successes and failures) envision the same future as you do. Does their agenda even have a role for you to play a part in? Is it fair to you?

So in summation, if you feel that others are getting rich, and you are getting poor. And if you find that you’re conventional education is helping others more than it is helping you, speak up! Tell your boss, your friend, whomever, what you’ve done for him or her. Don’t get lost in the pile of CV’s, only to be judged as inferior in the eyes of the company mission, as you interview. We are a bright young generation, with much to give. And time moves quickly. We get old fast. No generation is dispensable. Seek equity. Value your work. Trust in your talents (“we all have at least one”). And, be gracious and respectful of authority that supplies. Be kind to those who work hard. Reward integrity over ability. Replace your incompetence with questions.

So as you read this, and as individuals plot to undermine property value, I can suggest one group that will supply the names on my and your behalf, of those politicians who have yet to, but will have voted to increase your tax burden. That’s “Howard Jarvis”. I’ve mentioned “hjta.org” before. Howard Jarvis’ group, defends ardently against massive theft. It may seem trivial an issue to some, taxation… “who doesn’t want newly paved roads, clean streets, public squares?” Of course, we need taxes to supply those things that we all want and need. But if we steal each other’s property, to pay for “free” education “for all”, education will have failed to teach us how to protect what we value. And so I caution… don’t get lost in the lofty and ambitious promises made, in passionate speeches, which claim that people like me are trying to keep you down in a social ladder. The fact of the matter is, some politicians are keeping all of us down. What would this theft of your property, promise for you? It is personal. So, vote with your brain, and not with your heart. The heart will be happy, once the brain thinks smart.

Dear friends,
For Christians, so much in our life, is less critical in our learning, than understanding the Word of God as Christ wants us to. So many of us (including me) are learning HOW to interpret the new covenant in these days that we live.
Yes, the bible clearly accounts to us that Christ paid the only and final ransom for our
predecessors’ sin in failing to live up to the covenant, as God clearly had hoped
they would. Also true, today, we still fall short of what was then etched to stone on the Mount. But, in the New Testament also, and in the time we now live,
Christ taught & teaches us the modern perspective and crucial interpretation.
He reminds, that “until heaven and earth disappear”, we must follow the prescribed law, and view that law, in the way Christ taught. In the way Christ taught as God’s messenger!
I have found some assistance by comparing Gospel to Gospel, as two inspiring
faith leaders have helped me to do.
Look specifically at Hebrews 8 and Hebrews 9, compared to the Old Testament commandments as written.
Together, Hebrews states that without nullifying the original covenant, we have
relief from the complexity of the first, for which “we” utterly failed to live up to. Christ
freed us, with finality, and reformed our perspective on the same law! That is
miraculous. I thank God. Do you as well?