three hundred forty five

 PHEROMOMES

I grew up around farms with pigs, cattle, chickens, goats and dairy cows. As a young boy the animal interactions I witnessed were very educational. There is a financial benefit to livestock reproduction so most farmers show a level of interest most city dwellers find strange. 

Most breeding is done by inseminators to have breeding success, to control genes and to avoid injury. This does not limit sexual activity by any means, farm children see real life played out everyday. Domesticated animals show all of the behaviors we find in the wild. 

Deer, elk, rabbits, game birds and wild pigs play out a more rough and tumble version with male fighting for dominance. 

I know very little about horses but I do know a mare in heat can effect male horses a mile or more away. Dogs lose their minds as they pursue  a female in heat. Well behaved male dogs may run away, run into traffic or become aggressive.

The animal kingdom uses pheromones for several reasons. They find mates, mark territory, friend or enemy identification and bonding. I believe humans do this too. Humans have a limited ability to consciously identify specific scents because this part of our brain is not as developed as it is in other animals.

My question is if humans breathe the same air, aren't we sending and receiving similar signals? In a room full of fully clothed humans perhaps pheromones are effecting our moods and behaviors much more then we understand. We rely on our other senses so much it is easy to see how these powerful forces are dismissed.

I believe we are attached to mates, sense when we are in danger and recognize bonds with other humans. That may explain that once in a lifetime attraction that marks us for life. Not a crush, hook up or casual relationship, but a primal connection that can't be explained or forgotten no matter the distance or how much time has passed.

Mothers bond with their babies in a special way. Mothers are so connected that decades later they can detect if their child is in danger, if they are ill, their moods and yes if they are lying. It is a combination of factors but the secret language of pheromones has much more to do with this then we realize. 

Animals are not inhibited when exploring pheromones, humans are more discrete. Some so discreet they are unaware pheromones exist. Regardless their bodies, thoughts, moods and sexual focus react in the presence of the opposite sex. 

I watch a room full of men as a woman enters the room. The most loyal married man who would never ever stray may not openly react but trust me they know she is there. I personally know this to be true. I won't speak for women but I assume they react too. They may not even realize they react but they do. 

I have watched the behavior of humans for many years. I notice body language and group dynamics. Humans for the most part limit or resist these animal instincts but today many are controlled by them.

This hidden language enhances the passions of life. Not limited to sexual passions but the self sacrificing long suffering passions that last beyond the grave.

A great movie was "Scent of a woman". Al Pacino was a blind Lt Col who mentored a young man about romancing women. This movie made me aware of my own attraction to women.

My initial attraction to women was based on the sight and feel of their hair, skin, eyes, lips, breasts and the shape of their bottoms, but I was unaware how much their scents and smells effected me. As a young man my body reacted to these in a strong physical way but I didn't know why. 

When I was in high school I had a teacher who just drove me crazy. She was an older woman in her 40's, had a full figure and dressed very conservative. One day I got close enough to smell her hair. My body reacted in a way I could not explain. I had no interest or crush, my body just reacted. I never said anything to anyone but from that moment on I was aware there was something going on I did not understand.

I don't know if I'm wired differently but through my life I have connected to people and places through my sense of smell. All of our senses connect us to everything good or bad. Not only the senses I am consciously aware of but the underlying secret language of pheromones.

There is a sharp difference between humans and animals. Humans live by social and moral rules, animals are ruled by their instincts. Today the if it feels good do it crowd are guided by their instincts while ignoring any moral code.

Ignoring the fact that we have this secret language and built in instincts is sad we miss out on the passions of life. However ignoring the fact that we are human and function on a higher social level can lead us to chaos. A proper balance of these factors is the spice of this dance called life.

three hundred forty four

 

Hillary is not the only liar politician but she is the most successful.

"To be honest"

"To tell you the truth"

"Trust what I say"

"Believe me"

"Let me be perfectly clear"

"The fact is"

"Everyone knows"

"Everyone agrees"

"At this point what difference does it make"

"Nothing burger"

These are a few phrases used by politicians to couch their tall tales. I can't get my head around how anyone standing before a room full of people can tell bold face lies knowing full well half of the listeners know they are lies. I can't imagine doing it if there is even one person in the room who might know, I guess that's what makes a politician special. 

I'm a recovering alcoholic so to me lying is a character defect and should be removed. I am not perfect but at least I know it is wrong. If I do lie it bothers me so much I quickly make it right.

Chuck Todd, Meet The Press

Today the so called unbiased press are a joke. If anyone is responsible for truth telling, it is the press. Unfortunately they intentionally miss-quote, rarely ask a truth seeking question and selectively investigate. They intentionally dwell on petty stories while omitting important stories. They not only lie to shape a narrative, they are hostile to any reporter who gets out of line and does the slightest bit of real journalism. 

Peter Doocy still asks real questions but gets no answers

They are hard on some politicians but go easy on others. As the constitutionally protected watch dog free press they should be hard on everyone. Recently they coverup lies and corruption on some politicians while slandering and falsely reporting on others. 

They are in the same boat as politicians. They openly lie while half of their audience knows they are lying. Many consumers of this so called news have had the blinders removed. We all see a bias in most media but the blatant lies as they become propagandists is glaring.

A percentage of news consumers get fed up and turn it all off, which is part of the plan. Others see the distortions, omissions and out right lies then they research for themselves. Once you see it you can't unsee it.  

Don't get me wrong there is a place for political commentary. We have always had a segment of the news broadcast specifically dedicated to commentary. There are designated television, radio, podcast and columnists who express political opinion. Most make a point of saying they are expressing their opinions and are not journalists. A few call themselves journalists who express opinions so today the line has become blurred. Next time you read, listen or watch see if they are clear on this distinction.

Rachel Maddow

Joy Reid

Sean Hannity

Tucker Carlson

These are only a few of the television opinion commentators. Along with opinion they do some reporting and interviews but with a political bias. Without this distinction many consumers rely on them as their only source of news. It is easier to listen to people you agree with but you only get part of the story. 

I enjoy the rough and tumble of debate, unfortunately there is less and less actual debate on either side. They all point out opinions and personalities they disagree with, present their opposing arguments and at times mock them by playing video clips.   

Some encourage their viewers to believe they are totally unbiased, by regularly attacking other opinion programs. They label their opinions hate speech, call them racists, murderers and liars. They go as far as to call for their censorship and removal from the air. 

What breaks my heart are the people who are satisfied with living in a bubble. I know it's another bible verse but I think the principle fits. Paul was referring to false doctrines but it applies to blindly following anything.

2 Timothy 4 ".....to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

News Readers

Unfortunately the failings of those claiming the mantle of the unbiased truth telling press have undermined most public trust. What once was sacred ground is now a political play ground, this is the height of hypocrisy. Over paid pretty people who read a prompter, I regard them lower then politicians.

In the age of the internet social media became a source of information. This is where the majority of young people get all of their news. The recent censorship has been exposed but ironically the main stream press has completely omitted any reporting. 

It's hard to find accurate information so I explore everything. If someone is being ignored or slandered in the press I'm interested in what they are saying or doing. Many times I discover the real reason why. 

Slowly a hidden bias has morphed into an open bias. The use of propaganda tools have become common place. Finally they rationalize blatant censorship to limit speech. Remember these are the people who still call themselves the unbiased free press. The people who once embraced free speech are now acting more like fascists. 

Fixing these so called news outlets will not happen until they are abandoned by the consumers. The only way this happens is when people grow a hunger for the truth and won't settle for anything less. 

Slowly more and more people have opened their eyes and see they have been deceived. Yes many will see the hypocrisy but choose to stay loyal to the "party" because they don't want to be called names. The crazier it gets the more I hear the phrase "I know I shouldn't say or think this but.......", I believe this is a small crack in the wall.

The more censorship the deeper you have to look. Learning to discern what is true is not that difficult. Once you peek behind the curtain or take the blinders off it gets clearer and clearer. 

It has been years since I have watched television for my news, I have a whole spectrum of evolving sources. I continue to question everything because if it is true it will hold up to scrutiny. If you aren't aloud to debate, is it really true?

A good sign is, people are getting fed up with these obvious games, but many are still not there yet. Great awakenings have come in worse times so don't be discouraged independence and freedom are still in our blood.

three hundred forty three

 

EDUCATED or MISEDUCATED?

Our political leaders are obsessed with the education of our children. We constantly hear about the need for a college degree, high school diploma, elementary school, kindergarten, preschool and pre-pre-school. 

The state of education is a concern for both parties, one supports a tax supported voucher system to give families a choice of schools. One supports tax subsidized government schools with centrally mandated curriculum and mandatory preschool. The question is what are the students learning and why is it so important? 

Test scores have fallen but self-esteem has risen. Schools have become a social experiment that seems to be failing. Adding more money has shown no positive results, but the call for more and more money is rarely questioned. The demonizing of homeschooling and charter schools is puzzling considering the positive results. I must ask the question, is the real focus education or indoctrination?

What concerns me is there is a difference between a poor education and being miseducated. Everyone needs the basic tools to earn a living and handle money. We need to learn to read, write and do math, world and American history, and if you are from Texas state history. Civics classes to understand how government works from Washington to the local school board and an a basic understanding of our governing documents and our responsibility as citizens. 

Throughout history the education of the masses has been used to maintain a healthy functioning society. Before writing, history, traditions and skills were passed on through mentoring and story telling. The younger tribal members would memorize these stories and skills so they can pass them on to the next generation. 

As written languages were invented this knowledge was preserved in a more permanent way to be passed on to future generations. As technology progressed, the printing press, audio, photography, film and video were added.

No matter how well preserved the one variable was the motives of the people passing on the information. Like the telephone game a spoken message can get distorted but this distortion was only lessened as it was written down. Even now with HD video from the surface of Mars and access to the history and knowledge of the world in our pocket the distortion can still happen.

Even after we had writing leaders could limit access like they did through the dark ages. Man was kept illiterate only knowing what the leaders wanted them to know. The printing press broke down some of these walls to give more access to the masses resulting in a period of renaissance.

Radio, telegraph, newspapers and television brought information into our homes. Schools and universities grew in number and eventually a basic education was common. The literacy of the average person is hard to nail down. It is strange but the graphs I have found either omit the US completely or stop around 1979. Try to read the Federalist Papers today and tell me the average New York Times reader could comprehend them today.

Modern communication, internet search engines, social media, traditional media, news, radio, television and the movie industry came along in the past 75 years. 

Lately we are spinning out about censorship and a lying media. This is a big deal but the consumer of information is the real problem. Many lack the desire or interest in the truth, it's there, it's just harder to find. 

Curiosity is the key, but questioning the popular "truth" is not easy. The first time you turn over a lie is when the real journey begins. An over the top opposition to questioning the established "truth" is the second proof something is wrong. If you continue you are perceived as a threat and you are slandered, censored and banned. 

There is a war on several fronts. The news media shapes the information we see and hear, search engines hide or promote information and social media censors. The entertainment media tells dramatic stories to emotionally manipulate opinion or rewrite history.

Most are directed to an adult audience, but adults have the ability to critically think and peek behind the curtain. Unfortunately many are willingly deceived, its just easier to go along. 

What I am concerned about are the vulnerable impressive children. They sit in a classroom six hours a day listening to a significant adult with little supervision. This adult teacher is solely responsible for what is being taught in the classroom. 

Many are responsible teachers focused on education but many are focused on molding the opinions and values of their students. Unfortunately even teachers without an agenda are required to use educational materials that have a built in agenda. 

Through out history the practice of propagandizing children to destroy a civilization has been very effective. In only a generation or two a society can forget its history and principles. Not that our children will be the next Khmer Rouge but ignorant and narcissistic works too.

We are in a bad place today, my education included history, civics and a focus on personal responsibility. Any moral or sexual question was redirected to the parents because it wasn't the schools business. 

I'm not the sharpest knife but I do have a basic understanding of our history and founding and my right to ask questions. Today we have a generation of young adults leaving college who don't have a clue. I fear the most successful graduates may be the most compliant.

I don't blame them they are sitting ducks. My hope is the American spirit of independence is still in their natures. All is not lost, there is a bright light, there is a grass roots movement of young people who are realizing they have been lied to and they are really pissed off.

    

three hundred forty two

 I know most people thought this was only a movie about a bunch of guys fighting, but that's only a part of the story. Since it came out in 1999 I have watched it a dozen or more times. The profound insights of Tyler Durden played by Brad Pitt were profound. Ed Norton as the narrator did not have a character name.

The movie name turned off a large part of the audience so it effected the box office success but over time it has become a cult classic.

Here are a few of the quotes.....

I know these are dark quotes but they do cut to the chase. I have written in earlier posts about my favorite book in the Bible, Ecclesiastes. It has a similar theme, there is nothing new under the sun and everything is meaningless. They both talk about distractions, poor perspectives and the futility of stuff.

Many don't like studying Ecclesiastes because of it's negative message, but it is the bottom line truth. Unlike the movie it ends with a positive conclusion and gives a positive direction. Fight Club just gets you to think and embrace life.

Yes it's a guy movie, I've watched it with women but they don't get it. Perhaps it is speaking a language only men understand. I imagine this movie would get panned today if it was made, it is far from meeting woke standards.

I watch this movie now and then to get a slap of reality. I don't run out to pick a fight or long to have a sweaty fist fight in a dark basement, but I do think about what is really not important.

I must admit in my misspent youth I learn a lot about myself fighting. I don't recommend it but I do recommend not being afraid of it either.

three hundred forty one

 

MIDDLE OF THE HERD

A theme has been moving through the rooms of AA lately, a call to stay in the middle of the herd. Several have left the herd and relapse through the past years of lock downs. This disruption made it difficult to stay in connection with other alcoholics. 

In person weekly meetings were limited to one or two compared to the regular 120.  Zoom became an alternative but it was a poor substitute for hugs, eye contact and holding hands in a circle prayer at the end of each meeting. Coffee shops and restaurants were closed so no meet ups or step work.

Isolation, binging on Netflix, eating too much, lack of activity, close quarters and working from home soon lost it's charm. Fifteen days stretched into years which gave the lone alcoholic the opportunity to quietly slip through the cracks. 

It's hard enough to stay connected but with the added isolation many more relapsed, suffered from depression and loneliness and sadly some died. Normally thirty people die of this disease every hour but through the blur of politics we will never know how many more lost their lives.

Unprotected and disconnected from the herd we were vulnerable, unaccountable and secretive. The lie rattling around in every alcoholics brain eventually made sense again so secret test drinking to sooth problems took many quietly out.

In Bend Oregon we have 26 legal recreational pot dispensaries. Through the wisdom of government package liquor stores and the pot stores were deemed essential services and remained open for business. Churches, AA, Al-Anon and NA meetings were not, what could possibly go wrong?

We did the best we could to stay connected, most of my friends survived but how many new people didn't have an opportunity to get sober. 

This year is coming to an end and who knows what next year will bring. The theme of getting in the middle of the herd rings true to most who survived. We do more texts through the day, phone calls to check in, a few more meetings with meals before or after, meeting for coffee, step work with sponsees and time with a sponsor all add to the safety of the herd.

We don't always talk "program" we do what I call "I give a shit" calls. A voice and a loving wisecrack that may evolve into a needed serious conversation. Just the act of doing this keeps us all connected.

We saw the damage the lock downs did when we weren't prepared so we are preparing for what ever the future holds. The pain of losing another friend to alcohol or death is too much to carry alone so we have no choice but to stay close together as a herd.