James Stabile Info News Blog May 2007

Discussion of The Month

May 2007,what else can I say? 2007 is almost half over and we have so much left to do in 2007. It seems like every day, month and year that passes, passes to fast. I feel that these increments of time pass so fast and I haven't even exhausted the increments. I just hope that when my last year, month, day, and minute commences, I'm not thinking to myself, "Where did the time go, I'm not done yet". We must not let that scenario happen to any of us. We must make the most of every minute, every day, every month and every year by living each to the fullest and with no regrets.

May is a beautiful month. Spring is in full bloom. Where I live, in South Florida, May is the bridge between the low humidity days of spring and the high, sometimes unbearable, humidity and rain filled days of summer. Around the second week of May the weather conditions in South Florida change to the dog days of summer, almost with the blink of an eye. The summer weather season commences, with no relief for the next 5 or 6 months. Summer is still a beautiful time of year in South Florida, you just have to know how to survive and enjoy it.

May is the month of new beginnings - communions, graduations and weddings take place throughout the month of May. By the way, weddings are taking place more often in April and May than in the traditional month of June and the other summer months in the hurricane prone states. Many a wedding has been disrupted due to a pesky hurricane. April and May seem like the perfect months for weddings.

May is also the month of our Mother, Mary the Mother of God, the blessed and beautiful days... Traditionally in Roman Catholic practices, May is reserved for the honor and veneration of the Mother of God. May altars, May Crowning and Marian devotions are common place during the lovely days of May.

Catholic First Holy Communions are usually held in May, the month of beginnings and fresh starts. For many decades, second or third grade boys and girls have donned their communion garb, processed into their parish churches and made their First Holy Communion amidst adoring family and friends. From the mouths of babes, who else could show more perfectly their naive love of the Father. Blessed are His children.

For all of you who will be celebrating birthdays, weddings, graduations, communions, anniversaries, etc. in this beautiful, flower blooming month, enjoy.

Entertainment

In The Land of Women A real feel good kind of movie. After the star, Adam Brody, was dumped by his girlfriend model, he moved from LA to suburban Michigan to take care of his Grandma and to reconnect with himself. He found himself totally surrounded by women, of all ages, and became immersed in their problems and life situations. Meg Ryan and Olympia Dukakis played two of the women in Adam Brody's life, they gave stellar performances. The movie was sad, full of feeling and emotion, but happy and optimistic and full of life messages. The message that I came away with had to do with knowing and accepting yourself, no mater what the situation.

Lookout The main character, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is the story. Yea, it is about a bank heist involving the neighborhood thugs, but the main character, Chris, is all you will remember from this movie. The plot is not very strong or believable, although it was based on a true event, but the situation involving Chris' fall from glory, so to speak, is truly the redeeming quality of the movie. Chris was a high school star athlete until an automobile accident, caused by his juvenile behavior while driving with friends, changed his life permanently. His life that followed the accident was truly sad, even pitiable. The movie chronicled Chris trying to live life the best he could as an head injury statistic. He got involved in a bank heist scheme with some seedy so called friends and soon learned that he was no criminal. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has played in some other movies and TV shows, the most noteworthy was Third Rock from the Sun. Lookout really wasn't that great, but it was a thriller and it was about surviving an empathetically human condition, both high on my movie genre lists.

Health, Fitness and Lifestyle

According to a new study, chronic, serious long term depressed may be normal. We live in a very complex world. Not only is our world complex, but it's people are even more complex and very hard to understand and explain. People are human beings, but some of them are very gruel and hurtful to each other. Over the years the number of selfish, gruel and uncharitable people has grown, grown exponentially. This lack of respect, concern and charity of our common man and woman, has produced a series of critical and sometimes chronic emotional problems. This cause/effect dynamic in all people's lives is becoming more common and a more serious concern in the emotional and psychological health of ordinary people. Clinical depression is often times the result of such cruel behavior in modern day society. Depression strikes more people these days and appears to be more severe than in previous generations.

The first sentence in this section seems to suggest that some long term chronic depressions are normal. Well, I challenge that hypothesis. I think that the number, the level and severity of clinical depression in today's society is totally out of control. Compared to the total population, today a much high percentage of people suffer from long term depression. Since the numbers have increased disproportionately to the overall population it seems to suggest that what use to be called sever long term depression is becoming the norm and viewed as being normal. I think that this is statistical jargon and unreflective of the reality of the situation.

The situation as I see it, the world, society and it's lack of concern for one another is making long term depression seem normal. To be depressed showing serious empirical symptoms is not normal. Such situations are still in the category of serious and possibly debilitating requiring immediate and ongoing medical, psychological attention.

What is the solution to the current high rate of depression in our society? Medical treatment, obviously, but the solution goes deeper into the fabric of societal functioning by the individual. Society must change. The only way to realize a change in society is for the individual to change. It does come down to an individual decision. Individuals must take control of this unfeeling society. Each of us must make a concerted effort to approach our situation in life is a more loving and respectful manner. Each of us must related to others in a more charitable manner. Life cannot continue to be so hurtful, contemptuous and self-absorbing. We must revert to the Golden Rule - treat others as we would like to be treated. This is the answer to this selfish and destructive society.

Now of course I am not naive, at least about this subject. Society will never change on it's own. The masses will be the masses, but the individual must seek change in his or her personal life. I'm suggesting that we re-examine our views and actions governing our philosophy of life and choose to act in a more humane manner, showing respect for ourselves and all living things, including people. If we do this on a continuing basis, society may stay it's hostile self, but we will be existing in a more humane sphere able to deal with that hostility in a way that stimulates grow, development and well-being.

How to fight Computer Fatigue? After hours at the computer, computer fatigue will set in unless you proactively fight that fatigue. The computer is a wonderful resource for the busy person of the 21st century. Most all people make use or should make use of the technological computer advances in their professional, private and personal lives. The computer can be a tremendous resource for nearly all people. However, like anything else, too much of a good thing may threaten one's health and well-being.

People who work eight hours "on the job" in front of a computer screen are probably the group of people who are most at risk of computer fatigue. Just the idea of "logging on" may illicit blurred vision, headaches and dry eyes - all symptoms of computer fatigue. These people as well as all people who use a computer should follow three simple steps in an effort to alleviate or at least lesson computer fatigue. Readjust your computer screen so your eyes slightly look down at the screen. Personally, I find that hard to do. My screen is physically at the same level as my eyes. To remedy this situation, I slant my screen slightly away from me and try to sit more erect at the screen, keeping my head straight, and slightly lowering my eyes. Posture is a big concern for any computer user. Most computer manuals give tips about basic posture including hand and finger placement when using a computer. The second tip, every half hour or so, look away from the screen or refocus your eyes on something 20 feet away from you. And the third tip, remove yourself from the computer now and then. Remove your whole body from the workstation, walk around the room or go to the restroom or get a cup of coffee - do something to get yourself away from that computer screen.

Remember, computer fatigue syndrome causes eyestrain, dizziness, headaches, low energy, and neck, back, and shoulder pain. To fight this situation be proactive - Readjust, Refocus, and Remove.

Politics and the World

Why are the people of the United States shooting each other? The shootings at Virginia Tech, Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas and others are very frustrating and disgusting. Why are we turning into a nation of mean, nasty and retaliatory people? Why are we so mad? To tell you the truth I have not been following the media coverage of these events. I am truly sick of this kind of behavior and even more sick of the authorities' and the media's assessments of these events. I am completely empathetic to the victims and their families, but I am totally against rehashing, reliving these terrible occurrences. I feel the perpetrators should not be giving the attention that has been given to them. We as a nation must move on from these tragedies. Unbelievable, deadly and grossly inhumane, but these situations have occurred. The appropriate authorities must deal with the events in a proactive approach with an eye on tomorrow, then move on. Funerals, memorials must be offered for the victims, then move on. Victim's families must deal with the event, then move on. We as a society cannot stagnate in fear and inactivity, we must deal and then move on. To me the bottom line in all of these types of events is, "Why are we (members of society) so mad?" We, society, must determine the cause and must find a solution. I feel very strongly that part of the solution is the demise of society as we know it. Lou Dobbs of CNN constantly talks about the demise of the American middleclass, the attack against the middleclass and the assault on the middleclass by the United States government, this may enter into the reason for such hatred and madness of our people. Government is not the only factor, but it is a major factor contributing to this state of the American society. I feel that we as an American society, including all aspects of that society, are the real culprits in this degradation of the individual and individual rights leading to hatred, bigotry and retaliation.

The Eight Democratic 2008 presidential candidates had their first debate on April 28 at the South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. The candidates in attendance were Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel. And they are off and running, but where are the running? And who will come in first? Good questions. This is the earliest presidential debate in any presidential race in American history. I don't think there were any big winners or losers. Each candidate held his or her own. Senator Clinton, my choice for the Democratic nomination, did a fine job. she appeared articulate, strong, in control and most importantly presidential. John Edwards was good although I do believe that his time has come and gone, but never the less he put in a good showing and I could easily support him as the nominee. Barack Obama was a little awkward in the debate, of course this is my personal opinion. He held up and was credible, but a little stiff and sophomoric for me. I believe that this is not his time, his candidacy seems a little immature, although his time may be coming, just not in 2008. Richardson, Biden and Dodd are great politicians and Democrats and could be great nominees, but in my opinion, they will never get the support needed to overtake the three frontrunners. Dennis Kucinich is a Barney Fife in my view, a small man with a big complaining, unrealistic and squeaky voice, making absolutely no sense in his evaluation of today's terror and international situation. He's a great congressman representing Cleveland, Ohio, but certainly has no presidential credibility. And then there is Mike Gravel, the former senator from Alaska, oh my God! What a goof ball. That's all I can say about him.

Senator Biden had the best one liner. When debate moderator NBC News anchor Brian Williams asked he if he could assure the American people that as president he could control her verbose use of the English language, Biden looked Williams in the eye and said, "Yes" and then didn't say another word. Good stunt. He got a laugh and a moment of disbelief from the moderator and the audience, but stole the show with that answer.

The debate was informative, not very revealing and pretty much expected, but we've only just begun. The 1st Republican debate will be on May 3, moderated by MSNBC's Chris Mathews.

In order to ready yourself for the 2008 presidential campaign season, you may want to review my 2004 Democratic presidential nominee site. That was then, this is now. Now is the time. Let the games begin. Play Ball in 2008.

Religion

Pope Benedict XVI is in favor of a fast forward tact for sainthood for Pope John Paul II. At the beginning of Benedict's reign as pope, he waived the customary 5 years waiting period to expedite the sainthood process for John Paul II. John Paul II is one step closer in the path to sainthood by the disclosure of a European nun that the deceased pontiff cured her of the debilitating Parkinson's Disease (I believe it was Parkinson's Disease). The name of the disease is not the important fact here, the miracle is however. An investigation into the alleged miracle must be completed. And then another miracle must be credited to Pope John Paul II and then His Holiness will be canonized a saint in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope John Paul II was a holy man. He was truly a man of God. He was definitely dedicated to serving his follow man and woman. He was a servant of the church and a person to look to for guidance and reverence. He may very well be in heaven with all those souls who have been called by God, accepted God's call and have earned their place at God's side. However, does he need to be canonized a saint? For me, no, but for the Catholic Church, now that's a different story. According to fourth century Christianity, yes. The Christian Church in the 300's A.D. set down the tenets of Christianity. The communion of saints was one of those beliefs. Of course the "common man" as in people like this webmaster were not invited to write down these beliefs, rather the church leaders and the Roman leaders developed these beliefs. None the less, the existence of saints in heaven is a well documented belief of the early Christian Church. So, saints do exist. Well we already knew this fact.

Throughout the Church's evolution with the ever increasing self-ordained hierarchy's role in the exclusion of the "common people" in Church doctrine, concepts such as sainthood and most others have been dramatically misrepresented and disproportionately regulated by a few members of the Church, namely the hierarchy. As has been an underlying theme in this section of this blog, the Church is made up of all people, not just the hierarchy, and should be maintained by all people, not just the hierarchy. Yes, there must be a governing body of the Church and yes, this governing body must establish guidelines for the members to follow, but these guidelines must apply to all people, irrespective of any diversity such as sex, race, sexual orientation, etc. (I think you get my point). In short, this governing body must maintain the dignity and rights of all members to the exclusion of no members.

I know this must be a difficult concept to grasp, but it must be realized and grasped if we expect to enter God's kingdom. After all, God's kingdom is free of all bias, prejudice and elitisms. Of course it is perfect. It's heaven. What we fail to understand, however, is the fact that earth is not heaven and it will never be heaven. Rather, it is a place of preparation for heaven.

Revisiting the concept of sainthood presented in this discussion, it is this webmaster's belief that all people who have died and now exist in heaven are truly saints. I respect the Catholic Church's views on sainthood including the process of becoming a saint and it is also a believe of the Catholic Church that all people in heaven are saints, although like many others, this belief is not always professed so openly and loudly as others. In fact the Church honors these saints on a special feast day, November 1, All Saints Day. These ideas are congruent in church doctrine, but I have a feeling that they are diametrically opposed in the eyes of some of the clergy.

One fact that we must remember concerning Church doctrine, most of those facts that the Church proclaim true and essential to being a Catholic, really do exist. I think that some of these facts are exaggerated by the selfish need of some of the hierarchy of the Church, but the general belief is accepted, if not hidden. Let's face it, the hierarchy of the Church are men, most hold a degree of respect and power, most are not willing to give up any of this respect and power for the well being of the bulk of the Church - ordinary people like you and me. That is truly the dilemma. The more I think about this Christian Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ, the more I believe that it is still based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, but the practice of those teaching have become distorted by the Church leaders' desire for power and control. So, what is the answer?

The answer is simple. Follow your conscience. I am a Christian Catholic and I worship God and believe in the dignity of all people at all levels - men and women and everyone in between, but my conscience concerning Catholic doctrine directs my behavior and hopefully that behavior will lead me to God.

One last question concerning saints, do saints perform miracles? The simple answer, no. All power comes from God and God alone. Praying to a saint is kindred to praying to God. God delivers the miracle, if that's the correct terminology. In a like manner, God is All and All is God. Just as God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in heaven (our earthly name for eternal life), God is Heaven and Heaven is God. In heaven, spiritually, God is Us and We are God. This is so simple to understand. This simple statement is all that is important. Once you accept this simple fact, there is no need for further explanation. Of course, this simple fact is in the context of heaven or eternal life or the after life or the life when we go to God (whatever you want to call it), but in the context of on earth or in our human existence, this simple fact can hardly be understood, just contemplated or explored. On earth there is nothing but confusion in our quest to understand God and eternal life. On earth, we must explore, question and survive using the tools the we possess as human beings. We must always strive for that eternal answer which will be revealed to each and every one of us when we met God.

Technology and Business

Time's up, put down your pencils, fold your paper and mail it in or submit it. The income tax deadline has come and gone. By now most Americans have filed their 2006 income tax forms or at least have filed for an exemption. That's one thing that I do not understand, this exemption thing. Yes, I understand the meaning of exemption as it pertains to income tax, but the thing that I do not understand is why do people need to file an exemption?

I am very much a deadline, goal setting kind of guy. I follow the rules. I know what is expected of me and I do it. With all of the time the government gives one to prepare and file his or her income tax, I don't see the need for any kind of extension. I think filing an extension is just being a procrastinator.

In my thinking people who proclaim the fact that the filed their income tax exemption suffer from an inflated sense of ego. No one should have to file an exemption. People who do tend to be a little boastful in their importance or the importance of their financial standing. Come on, there really is no reason for anyone, at least 99.9% of taxpayers, not to file their income taxes on time.

I plan for my tax responsibility as soon as the tax year commences. From January of the tax year (any tax year), I start the deduction saving process to lighten my tax burden for the current tax year - planning and executing the tedious process of documenting tax deductions. By December of the tax year I am putting the last finishing touches on my goal of claiming each and every possible deduction for the current tax year. January 1 of the new year, I start the preliminary recording and calculations necessary for me to realize my income tax responsibility for the previous tax year and making the most of the legal tax exemptions. Usually by February 1, I am completely finished preparing the tax statement for the previous tax year. I usually spend the month of February fine tuning my report and rechecking figures, forms and deadlines. The first few weeks of March are usually spent in quiet reflection of the tax report that sits on my computer awaiting the electronic submission process. Then it happens. My final review takes place, then the submission process commences. My tax report is submitted to the Internal Revenue Service by the first week of April. After the submission and the acceptance of my tax report, I spend the next week or so, up to and including April 15 or the legal income tax filing deadline, mentally reviewing the steps in my tax filing process looking for any missed steps, errors in judgment or omissions. If any are discovered, I still have the time to file an amended return, if needed. By the way, a few years ago an amended statement was needed and I filed it well within the April 15 deadline.

Now, that's just me. That's how I see my responsibility in life. After all, as a youth, I was a Boy Scout and you know the motto of the Boy Scouts - BE PREPARED. And I am.

That being said, after it's all over, the income tax filing process, that is, what do you do with past financial papers. In other words, which financial papers involved in the income tax filing process does one keep and for how long?

Here are a few suggestions:
Pay Stubs: Save for the current calendar year. Toss after you receive and double-check your W-2 for mistakes or omissions.
Tax Returns: Save indefinitely. Toss almost never. The IRS can come after you at any time if there's reason to believe you didn't file taxes.
Receipts, bank statements, mortgage interest statements and anything else you use to prove tax deductions: Save for six years after you've filed the return. Toss after the six-year period, the IRS no longer can audit you for deductions or for underreporting income, so you won't need this paperwork again.
401(k) and IRA statements: Save for the calendar year for 401(k)s and traditional IRAs. Save Roth documents until retirement. Toss (File annual statements) and Toss quarterly statements. (Check that you have been credited with all contributions and any company matches.)

Financial record keeping as with all record keeping is a complicated and a tedious process. Try to "clean up" your record keeping. Don't save something that can be discarded and don't toss something that may be needed later. When in doubt, save. Also, save is a secure manner.