PATRIOTISM VS NATIONALISM (my opinion)

Patriotism is a love of and loyalty to one's country. A patriot is someone who loves, supports, and is prepared to serve their country.
The word patriotism comes from a Greek word meaning fatherland. For most of history, love of fatherland or homeland was an attachment to the physical features of the land. But that notion changed in the eighteenth century, when the ideals of democracy, socialism, and communism strongly emerged into political thought. Patriotism was still a love of one's country that included connections to the land and people, but then also included its customs and traditions, pride in its history, and devotion to its welfare.
Today most people agree that patriotism also involves service to their country, but many disagree on how to best perform such service. Some believe that the national government speaks for a country; therefore, all its citizens should actively support government policies and actions. Others argue that a true patriot speaks out when convinced that their country is following an unwise or unjust action.

Although patriotism is used in certain vernaculars as a synonym for nationalism, nationalism is not necessarily considered an inherent part of patriotism. Among the ancient Greeks, patriotism consisted of notions concerning language, religious traditions, ethics, law, and devotion to the common good, rather than pure identification with a nation-state . Scholar J. Peter Euben writes that for the Greek philosopher Socrates, "patriotism does not require one to agree with everything that his country does and would actually promote analytical questioning in a quest to make the country the best it possibly can be."

Nationalism involves a strong identification of society and the state. Often, it is the belief that an ethnic group has a right to statehood, or that citizenship in a state should be limited to one ethnic group. It can also include the belief that the state is of primary importance, or the belief that one state is naturally superior to all other states. It is also used to describe a movement to establish or protect a homeland (usually an autonomous state) for an ethnic group. In some cases the identification of a national culture is combined with a negative view of other races or cultures. Nationalism is sometimes reactionary, calling for a return to a national past, and sometimes for the expulsion of foreigners. Other forms of nationalism are revolutionary, calling for the establishment of an independent state as a homeland for an ethnic underclass.

Dangers of Smoking

Why Smoking Is Bad For You

The fact that smoking is bad for you is no secret. We'll all seen the pictures of charcoal black lungs displayed in schools and in hospital and doctors waiting rooms. Despite these scare tactics people continue to smoke and new smokers adopt the habit every single day. Amazingly smoking can still be viewed as an adult thing to do and children continue to be influenced by this. Their parents or guardians smoke therefore they should smoke too if they want to be really grown up - or at least that's their perception. All smokers wish they had never smoked that first lousy cigarette and shake their heads in disbelief when they see their own kids or teenagers starting to smoke.
Tobacco can be "ingested" in more than one way. Some people chew it, others inhale it as snuff but the majority smoke it in the form of cigars and cigarettes - which is the habit we've all come to know and hate as smokers. Regardless of how you take tobacco it's dangerous. Smoking is the most popular method for people to use tobacco and as such has received massive coverage in both the media and from the medical profession.

Why Smoking Makes You Happy

When a smoker inhales a single "shot" of nicotine from a cigarette the lungs allow the nicotine to pass into the blood stream almost instantly. The smoker then feels the "hit" from the nicotine in their bloodstream and this is the sensation that they crave later on. Don't just assume that you're inhaling "pure" tobacco smoke either. That cigarette you're smoking contains up to 4,000 separate chemicals - many of which are extremely toxic.
That smoke you inhale from a cigarette contains 43 carcinogenic substances. These are substances which have been clinically proven to cause various types of cancer. Cigarette smoke also contains 400 other toxins that can be found in rat poison, nail polish remover and various types of wood varnish. Would you willingly eat any of these products? Of course not because you know that they're incredibly bad for you. As these carcinogens and toxins gather in the body they begin to cause serious problems for the heart and lungs.
Of all the diseases associated with smoking cancer is the most common. Cancer is a relatively new disease that has really only become prevalent since the beginning of the industrial revolution. In effect cancer is a manmade disease for which there is, as of yet, no cure.

Some facts:

90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.
30% of all cancer fatalities are caused by smoking.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer associated with cigarette smoking but you can also get cancer of the mouth, bladder, kidney, stomach, esophagus, larynx and pancreas. Some of these cancers can be treated and others are 100% fatal.
Cancer isn't the only disease that smoking causes - either directly or indirectly. 75% of all fatal cases of emphysema and bronchitis are linked to smoking. Both of these diseases cause extreme breathing difficulties and emphysema in particular is an extremely nasty disease as your ability to breathe on your own slowly vanishes.
Smokers have dramatically shorter lives than non-smokers. On average a smoker will die 15 - 20 years before a non-smoker. This is truly shocking when you think about it. That's 7,300 days deducted from your lifespan. Look at what you can achieve in a single day and then imagine what you might be able to achieve in over 7,000 days.
This is proof that continued exposure to the toxic substances found in cigarettes and cigars simply isn't good for you - no matter what tobacco companies might say. Smoking will kill you younger.

The Effects of Secondary Smoke

The risk from smoking isn't just limited to the smoker however. The serious effects of secondary smoking are now very well known. Smoking near your loved ones puts their health at risk also. Second-hand smoke is still as loaded with chemicals and toxins as it was when you inhaled it.
Numerous health problems are directly caused by secondary smoking and children are in the highest risk group because their internal organs and immune systems are still developing. Children exposed to secondary smoke are far more vulnerable to asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (cot death), bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infections amongst other things.
If you love and respect your family do them a favour and don't smoke anywhere near them. Go outside. Nothing gives you the right to affect their health. Better again why not quit smoking altogether and spend the money you save on a family holiday? Or a new car? Get the ultimate revenge on the tobacco companies by  reducing their profits and living a healthier lifestyle.

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CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM

I am so sick of critics.


Between political opinions and religious self-appointed doctrine police, I’ve heard more negativity in the last few months than I can remember. To find nothing wrong with someone or something has become a sign of ignorance or presumption. We just may be the most opinionated society in the history of humankind. And we’re under the delusion that our opinions are worth something. Being critical does not make you credible.

Criticism is the judgement (using analysis and evaluation) of the merits and faults of the actions or work of another individual. Criticism can mean merely to evaluate without necessarily finding fault; however, usually the word implies the expression of disapproval.

Constructive criticism, or constructive analysis, is a compassionate attitude towards the person qualified for criticism. Having higher experience, gifts, respect, knowledge in specific field and being able to verbally convince at the same time, this person is intending to uplift the other person materially, morally, emotionally or spiritually. For high probability in succeeding compassionate criticism, the critic has to be in some kind of healthy personal relationship with the other one, which is normally a parent to child, friend to friend, teacher to student, spouse to spouse or any kind of recognized authority in specific field. Hence the word constructive is used so that something is created or visible outcome generated rather than the opposite.    Useful criticism is a practical part of constructive criticism.

A critical person is one that is inclined to find fault or to judge with severity, often too readily.

MOM'S FINAL WISHES.

May 11, 2010


We will be relocating Dad's burial to Resurrection on Wednesday May 12 at around 11:00 to 12:00 noon. There is no ceremony planned due to uncertainty of the time we don't expect anyone there. Fred and I will be there to see that everything goes okay...This is just to inform everyone that after Wednesday Dad and Mom will be together. We did it at this time because Monday May 17, would have been Mom and Dad's 65th anniversary.

Background information:
This relocation of Dad was at the request and complete approval of Mom. Our intention was to move Dad so that mom was closer to him and she could visit his gravesite more often. She liked the idea because she was always worried that no one would visit his grave because it was quite a distance from the family. Unfortunately Mom died before we could move Dad. Prior to her passing while she was in the hospital, I asked her again if she was sure she wanted to move dad. She once again said that she wanted to have Dad moved. At the same time Her and I discussed that if she should not recover in the hospital that I would go ahead and purchase lots at Resurrection and bury her there first and then move dad. Again she completely agreed and said that she would be okay with it. Our plan was to move dad first and then when mom passed bury her there too, Unfortunately mom passed before we could move dad. Either way they will finally be together and because their plots are only four plots away from Cory’s grave and eventually Fred and Tammy’s and Chad and Dawns (Cerrone Family plot) Mom will never have to worry about someone visiting Dad’s grave (and hers) for generations to come They will not go un-visited.

REFLECTIONS ON MOTHER'S DAY MAY 9, 2010

Reflections on Mother’s Day May 9, 2010.


Today was Mother’s Day. I had the awesome pleasure of spending Mother’s Day with 12 Mothers. In reality It was more my day than theirs Everywhere I went I was treated special. I was waited on, cooked food for, prepared and served meals, gotten drinks for, and anything I needed or wanted and all of this was done by the twelve mothers that I spent their mothers day with. This mother’s day for me was more like family day. The mothers did the things they do on a daily basis only on this day they did those things for more people than on a normal day. I think Mothers Day should be a day that a mother does whatever she wants to do or do absolutely nothing. Kind of like fathers on Father’s Day or kind of like fathers everyday (just kidding about the everyday). As you can see I had a great Mother’s Day. Thank you to all you moms that love your family enough to work twice as hard on your special day to make our day so special.

THE PINE TREE, CENTER OF HIS DOMAIN

The pine tree, center of his domain.

He has the responsibility of protecting all the plants, trees, bushes, and flowers that live under his domain. Today we were blessed with a gentle rainfall and the pine tree stretched its arms out to catch every rain drop that fell on his domain. The crape myrtles surround and hug the pine tree while the magnolia, a slow grower, stands in their shadows knowing that someday he will be strong, tall and majestic. The azaleas sip from the rain that trickles down to them from the outstretched pine to the billowing crape myrtle to the incognito magnolia and under and around the azaleas, the candytuft and the vinca vine cover the ground like a plush carpet absorbing the recycled rain water. Finally to the dirt, that lovely dirt, that mother that gives birth to young sprouts that grow to be mighty pines. The dirt that makes everything come alive absorbs, stores and feeds the roots of all these beautiful green living testimonies to God’s blessings for all of us to enjoy.

Christopher and The Tallwood Band in Concert with The Netherland's National Army Band

Christopher, a member of the Tallwood High School Band performed in concert with the Netherland's National Army Band at Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, April 27, 2010.  The National Army Band is here to perform in the international Tattoo, an annual event in Norfolk Virginia.  Tallwood High School played host to the Netherland's Band and The Tallwood High School Band and Netherland's National Army Band performed side by side in a most wonderful concert.  Needless to say that I was most proud of my grandson Christopher. 

FADED PHOTOGRAPHS

What do you do with old photographs?  Photographs with people that you are no longer involved with for various reasons.  Divorce, Separations, Break-ups, People you have lost due to death, and people that you may no longer be friends with. I keep all of mine and I cherish them because at one time all of these people were very important to me.  In some way they are still part of my life. I truly believe that   'IT IS BETTER TO HAVE LOVED AND LOST THAN TO HAVE NEVER LOVED AT ALL'   What do you think?

PROVERB

"He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool - shun him.
He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is simple - teach him.
He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep - wake him.
He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise - follow him."

Author: Proverb

Thursday, we celebrated Keagan's 6th birthday. David was home and Mary and Peggy along with Megan Angela and I were there to eat cake and ice cream. Aedan and Brennan celebrated with their brother Keagan.  It was a nice day because I picked up Brennan at his school and then we waited for Aedan and Keagan to come home from school. The boys played in the back yard with their Razors. David played ball with the boys and then we had the birthday get together.

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

Today is Thursday.  Yesterday was another beautiful day in Virginia Beach.  I opened all the doors and windows in the house to let it breathe in the fresh warm air.  It was 70 degrees and sunny.  I took a couple photograps of the mama rabbit that lives between my neighbor's house and mine.  I also spotted my big bull frog in my backyard fish pond.  He was there last year and I guess he has moved in for this year again.  My white lilac bushes that I got from my dads in Toledo many years ago, are starting to bud and my wild plum bushes are actually starting to show some red flower buds.  I will photograph both when they bloom.  I love my back yard and all the nature that it involves and from time to time I will share it with you.

MY $500.00 CAMERA

TURTLE HABITAT AND DAFFODILS

These are the products of my $500.00 Digital Camera...These are the first photographs that I have taken with my camera..I had buyers remorse for a few days because I felt so guilty for spending so much money on myself..However, I think I will adjust to this because now I am sure I will be able to take some fantastic photographs.  The top and bottom photos are of my turtle habitat, water turtle pond..if you look close you can see my turtle sunning himself on the rocks.  The middle photo is of daffodils, the first flowers to bloom in my yard.

Weekend with Aedan, Keagan, and Brennan

Well this weekend was really great. The weather has improved with temperatures in the 50’s and the following week is going up to the 60’s. Now this the Virginia Beach that I am used to. Any way, Aedan, Keagan, and Brennan came over after school on Friday afternoon and we had a sleepover. Saturday morning they were up at 6:30, ate breakfast and then they went and played in the yard. They played in the tree house fort, croquet, and soccer. They had a ball. Angela picked them up at 3:00 because she was going to take them to see the Globetrotters that evening. All in all it was a good weekend.

Going from no tech to low tech and eventually to high tech

Okay, I will update everyone on my tech status. I purchased a DSLR camera so now I will be able to take some real time photographs of the grand boys and whatever else I choose. I also have a scanner so that I will be able to scan old photographs in order to upload those to the internet. What is ridiculous about all this is that I spent a fortune on the camera and still had to go buy a memory card to be able to use it. Same with the scanner, I had to purchase an USB connector which was half the cost of the scanner itself. Oh well, as those of you who really know me, I can’t get myself to spend unnecessary money however, I hope that all this expenditure will pay off in the long run and remember I am doing all this for you so you better appreciate it.

Early Morning

Good morning everyone.  It is 7:00 and the boys got up early.  Aedan has to get up at 6:30 because his bus comes at 7:05.  It is 35 degrees.  It is supposed to get up near the 50 degree mark.  It appears we will have another nice day.  Two days in a row.  I have to go the commissary this morning for my neighbor and myself.  I had a nice visit with the boys, and for the most part they were well behaved.

A Touch Of Spring

Today the weather is much better. This morning the sky was so clear and blue you could see for miles. I am going to my daughters to spend the day and night with my grandboys Aedan, Keagan, and Brennan. It looks like our temperature is going up in the 50's later on this week...Now that is more like it.

WHAT IS REASONING

Reason 
Noun
1. a basis or cause, as for some belief, action, fact, event, etc.: the reason for declaring war.
2. a statement presented in justification or explanation of a belief or action.
3. the mental powers concerned with forming conclusions, judgments, or inferences.
4. sound judgment; good sense.
5. normal or sound powers of mind; sanity.
6. Logic. a premise of an argument.
7. Philosophy.
a. the faculty or power of acquiring intellectual knowledge, either by direct understanding of first principles or by argument.
b. the power of intelligent and dispassionate thought, or of conduct influenced by such thought.
c. Kantianism. the faculty by which the ideas of pure reason are created.

Verb (used without object)
8. to think or argue in a logical manner.
9. to form conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises.
10. to urge reasons which should determine belief or action.

Verb (used with object)
11. to think through logically, as a problem (often fol. by out).
12. to conclude or infer.
13. to convince, persuade, etc., by reasoning.
14. to support with reasons.

Idioms
15. bring (someone) to reason, to induce a change of opinion in (someone) through presentation of arguments; convince: The mother tried to bring her rebellious daughter to reason.
16. by reason of, on account of; because of: He was consulted about the problem by reason of his long experience.
17. in or within reason, in accord with reason; justifiable; proper: She tried to keep her demands in reason.
18. stand to reason, to be clear, obvious, or logical: With such an upbringing it stands to reason that the child will be spoiled.
19. with reason, with justification; properly: The government is concerned about the latest crisis, and with reason.

Synonyms:
1. purpose, end, aim, object, objective. Reason, cause, motive are terms for a circumstance (or circumstances) which brings about or explains certain results. A reason is an explanation of a situation or circumstance which made certain results seem possible or appropriate: The reason for the robbery was the victim's display of his money. The cause is the way in which the circumstances produce the effect, that is, make a specific action seem necessary or desirable: The cause was the robber's extreme need of money. A motive is the hope, desire, or other force which starts the action (or an action) in an attempt to produce specific results: The motive was to get money to buy food for his family. 2. excuse, rationalization. 3. understanding, intellect, mind, intelligence. 10. persuade.

Winter of our discontent

Today is Wednesday.  It is rainy and windy.  I am so ready for spring  to arrive.  This has to be one of the coldest and longest winters that I have experienced in Virginia Beach in the past 35 years.  We have had more snow this year than any other year that I can remember.  According to the weather experts we experience this  type of winter every 21 - 23 years.  I have a fish pond in my back yard and this morning I had another visit from this blue crane.  He likes to get into my pond and eat my goldfish.  I cannot do anything about it because they are protected. This is the time of year that this crane insist on paying me a visit.  I will try to get a picture of him in the act, but he is very quick.  It is hard to believe that he can maneuver himself in the pond because it is surrounded by trees and bushes.

Personal Development

I. Personal growth through investment in myself.

A. Discard invalid, conditioned beliefs.
1. Drop self imposed barriers.

B. Change the way I think.
1. Change restrictive, negative ways of thinking.
2. Adopt constructive, positive concepts.

C. Change the way I act.

D. Change my habits.

E. Change my attitudes.

F. All lasting and meaningful change starts on the inside and works its way out.

II. Self Discipline.

A. Control of my desires.

B. Control of my mind.
1. Resist the temptation to fool myself.
a. What is right and what is wrong.

C. Thinking differently.
1. Identify thoughts or beliefs that limit me.
2. Learn to think outside my limitations.

D. Scotomas - (diminished sight: a permanent or temporary area of diminished sight in the field of vision ) Lockouts or blind spots.
1. Keeps me from seeing the truth.
a. Partial truths, partial beliefs, false beliefs.
2. Preconceived way I see things.
3. Habitual way I do things.
a. See what I expect to see.
b. Hear what I expect to hear.
c. Think what I expect to think.
d. Say what I expect to say.
e. Do what I expect to do.
4. Unaware that I have scotomas.
5. Prevent me from finding solutions.
6. Block me from seeing the problem.

E. Determine my own behavior.
1. Be my own person.
2. Be my own authority.
3. Open up my own capabilities.
4. Release my creativity.
5. Unleash my potential.

F. Affirmations - statements of belief.
1. Subconscious mind.
a. Accept what I affirm.
b. Works to carry out my affirmations.
c. Positive as well as negative.
2. Break through the barriers that limit me.
a. Barriers placed by myself.
b. Barriers placed on me by others.

God and Forgiveness

I want to believe that there is a God. I believe that he is the only one that can truly forgive me for things that I can not forgive myself. I believe that I have to forgive myself before anyone else can forgive me. In order to have forgiveness I must ask to be forgiven. If I am forgiven that does not make the thing I am forgiven for go away.

Understanding

One of the most important things in my life is to understand something. I know there are reasons for everything that happens. There are reasons for everything I do. One thing that I have yet to understand is why I am able to do things that hurt the people I truly love. I know that I truly loved my wife and yet I was guilty of actions that really hurt her. Same with my children, I know that I truly loved them and yet I did things that hurt them.