James Stabile Info Blog May 2008

Entertainment

I haven't viewed Oprah for years, but in April I noticed that Maria Shriver was going to guest on the show, so I watched it. First, why don't I watch Oprah? Well, in my area the show airs at 4:00 p.m., an inconvenient time for me. I'm not usually in the TV watching mode at that time. Now if Oprah would come on sometime during prime time in the evening, then that would be a different story. If the truth be know, I'm a little tired of Oprah, the person and the show, as well as most of the other daytime talk shows and hosts. Who really cares about them anyway? Do they serve an unique purpose to the American TV viewer? No. Most of them have become too arrogant, opinionated and condescending due to their ill-fated and unsubstantiated rise in TV popularity. Most serve to offer boring and gossip oriented TV viewers a reason to live. Oprah may be a bit different, the show does tackle current, mainstreamed problems and issues. Bach to Maria Shriver, you know that I am a big time fan of the Kennedy family - need I say more. Anyway, Maria was promoting her new book, Just Who Will You Be? I am so glad that I watched that episode of Oprah. At age 51, Maria discovered that she had lost her identity, her "Who Am I" kind of identity . She had been a journalist for so many years. She had been one of the highly motivated and overachieving Kennedy's. As a consequence of her husband become governor of California, she lost her job at NBC News. She suddenly found herself without a job and seemingly without a sense of her own identity. She started thinking about life, existence and the common question, "What's it all about?" I believe that this situation arises or will arise in each person's life. Sometime in your life you will be faced with the question of meaning and importance in your life priorities. You will either face it and discover the secret to happiness or you will dismiss it as non-important and never reach that point of self-actualization. Make no mistake about it - it is important. The meaning of happiness for each person is basically the same - to unconditionally love. That is the answer my friend (a.k.a. John McCain's phrase). It is so simple. Sometimes we miss it, but if we are true, sincere and open, we will find it sooner than later. To find it we must have quiet in our lives. We must come face to face with the question. We must be able to take the time, self-discovery and reflection to meet the challenges associated with solving this life dilemma.

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Big Brother 9 ended in April, but do not fear Big Brother 10 will air in July 2008. Due to the screenwriters strike CBS added a winter version of the show in 2008. I noticed some differences in this winter version. The biggest difference was the fact that the contestants competed in pairs, then half way through the season they separated and played as individuals. The next change that I noticed was the seasonal difference. The houseguests always spend a considerable amount of time out of doors, this year the winter weather, for LA, California, was noticeable. They sat around outside with jackets and sweatshirts with a fire going. That was kind of nice. One of the strangest things that I noticed about this winter show was the fact that the houseguests continually cried. I mean they sobbed, tears poured out of their eyes and everyone did it even the males. James really surprised me. He bawled many times, mostly towards the end of his stay in the house. I think the emotion involved in playing the game as well as the chance of winning a half a million dollars makes the game personal and emotional for the players. To me, the game was, is and remains a game. It tends to bring out the worse in mankind and womankind. Psychologically and sociologically speaking, I feel the game proves nothing. All it is and has been for the last 8 years is a game that brings out the worse in people. But I will say that it was and is entertaining and I can't wait till July for the summer show. By the way, the winter 2008 game winner was the fool Adam. He was a fool, but a fool with a heart.

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Finally I managed to squeeze in a show at the cinema, 88 Minutes, the first since my January retirement. The show was a great one. It didn't receive high marks from the critics, but this viewer really enjoyed the flick. It was classic Al Pacino. The guy still has it and it provides good movie viewing.

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Health, Fitness and Lifestyle

Does the posting of caloric content of food affect one's eating habits? In other words, if restaurants and other eating establishments posted the number of calories in their food, would people choose the food with the lower calorie levels? Would it make a difference? I think it would make a difference for people who are calorie conscious and living by healthy food eating practices, but it would have little value for people who simply don't care about calories. That's the easy answer. Most people do care about weight and fitness, but they are either ignorant about healthy eating or have real emotional problems needing the help of a professional to achieve healthy eating habits. When given the opportunity, very few rational people would choose obesity over fitness.

Let's start from the beginning. Just knowing the caloric content of food will not solve the fitness problem in America. There is so much more that must take place in the lives of people before the calorie content of foods will affect their fitness levels. Education is the prerequisite to healthy living and optimum fitness. People must be educated in the fitness area. They must be aware of the value of food, the content of food and the reasons that they eat food. Food must be relegated to a need base position in their lives. In other words, food must be seen as sustenance for healthy living rather than the reason for living. Food must be de-emphasized and defined as necessary for existence not the reward for existence. This process takes a firm desire on the part of the individual for fitness and healthy eating education. At the same time, psychological considerations and problems must be addressed as this education is achieved. In short, the individual must know himself or herself and his or her concept and relationship to food.

Is it ever OK to eat food that contains an excess of calories? Well it shouldn't happen too frequently, but it's OK at times. I think the individual must determine his or her healthy eating plan and then make allowances for those once in awhile major caloric indulgencies. In other words, if you want to eat that Starbucks pasty or that Panera Breads bagel or bakery item, then eat it and adjust your caloric consumption for the remainder of the day. We must allow ourselves to eat, but eat responsibly. We should not deprive ourselves of the food that we really crave, but do so responsibly. In order to maintain realistic healthy eating, resulting in an optimum fitness level, we must be conscious and consistent in our food choices. Also, we must recognize those foods in life that we really love and make room for them realistically, rationally and relevantly to our fitness plan.

A person who is an authentic connoisseur of fine foods will never be obese and will always practice healthy eating traits. The connoisseur of fine foods is more concerned about the taste, whatever so brief, and not the amount of food he or she ingests. Realistic control governed by intended optimal results are key to most successful and pleasing human activities. So too in responsibly eating.

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Senator Ted Kennedy's bill concerning genetic testing to determine one's predisposition for illnesses has past the Senate. The bill prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against patients when those patients have undergone genetic testing to determine their predisposition to illnesses including cancer. It also would prohibit employers from discriminating against potential employees for the same reasons. In short the bill would provide civil rights protection due to genetic illness screenings. I think that this is wonderful news for the many Americans who find out that illnesses such as cancer are predefined in their genetic make-up. Discrimination should be illegal and unethical in medical treatment. The availability of affordable medical coverage should be a right of all people. Predisposition to disease should be among the protections in the civil rights of all people. Whether it's race, religion, sexual orientation or predetermined genetic illness, all people should be afforded the same civil rights, no exceptions. Yes, this will affect the health care in America. Yes, this will probably increase the dollar amount of health care and health care coverage of all Americans. However, don't you think that all people should be subject to the same civil rights even when it comes to illnesses, especially illnesses that the person can not control? We as a people, we as a nation must come to terms with the health care issue in the United States. Health care must be a right not a privilege, many times a privilege afforded to the chosen few, of all people.

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Politics & World Affairs

Former President Jimmy Carter recently met with Humas officials at a meeting at the West bank. Carter embraced the Palestinian faction, violating U.S. policy. By the way, these extremists have been designated a terror group by the United States and Israeli leaders. President Carter has upset American as well as Israeli leaders big time. Carter says that we must talk to Humas leaders and they must talk to Israeli leaders in order to solve the Palestinian-Israeli territorial problems. Is he right?

In a perfect world, yes, President Carter would be correct to meet with such people, but this is not a perfect world. This is the world of politics, the imperfect world. In the world of politics one must act in accordance with the wishes of the political leaders of one's country and one's country's allies. To this end, Jimmy Carter made a terrible mistake by embracing recognized terrorists. Now he will have to face the consequences. What are the consequences? They entail exclusion, criticism and non-recognition, overtly or covertly, by the mainstream American political and governmental leaders. In short, he did not play ball with the guys and girls in political control.

Carter has not announced his support for either Democrat presidential candidate, but he suggested that he is leaning towards Obama. This seems reasonable since Obama has declared that he would favor meeting directly with the leaders of non-democratic countries and even worse, in an effort to bring peace and understanding among nations. This seems to be exactly what Carter did when he met with the Arab leaders. What does this say about Barack Obama and his statement to meet with leaders of any country in order to achieve understanding and peaceful negotiations? Again, in the perfect world, a world where good-works and reason are the guiding principals of nations, direct face-to-face meetings by United States leaders with leaders of any country, democratic, authoritarian, communist or terrorist, would be appropriate. In our contemporary world, all people, all nations do not function under the same rules of decency. U.S. leaders and the United States government must act in such a way as to protect the security of America and it's people. In this case, the current U.S. governmental policy concerning known terrorist, countries or people, should be the rule of the land. By the way, recently Obama has revised his position on the meeting with any government of any would country. Once again this situation documents his ignorance and lack of experience in world matters and U.S. security risks. Although, maybe he is learning more about the requirements of a wise, ready and decisive American presidential stance in domestic and world affairs. If it comes to be, perhaps Senator Obama will secure the crucial requirements needed to be an effective president? We will see.

President Carter's intentions in this meeting were admirable, but in reality his actions were detrimental to American foreign policy. I pray that Senator Obama will not have the opportunity to perhaps repeat Jimmy Carter's misdeeds. I am completely confident that a President Hillary Clinton would be totally prepared to engage in any national problem or concern, political or matter of security that comes across her presidential desk. This discussion provides a stark difference between the Democrat nominees for president. God help us.

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Senator Clinton won the Pennsylvania Democrat primary by double digits. So what? So, a lot. This win added to the other large "blue" states that she has won gives Senator Clinton much more credibility as the Democrat capable of winning the general election against Senator McCain. Senator Obama is looking like a weak, elite and losing candidate. What is the next step in the Democratic nominating process? The next step is continue. Continue the primary contests and see who has enough delegates to win the Democrat nomination. If needed, take the contest to the convention in August. It's not over, yet.

Senator Clinton has every right to stay in the race. She is a fighter, a doer and a winner. The final few primaries and caucuses should follow through with the process and the results evaluated. The super delegates do have a roll in this process. They should declare their intentions now or later or even at the convention in Denver based on who they feel would not only be the best president, but who has the best chance of winning the general election. I do not think that the "party" should be so controlling and omnipotent that it dictates the outcome of this contest by influencing the super delegates in the timing and outcome of their decisions. Let the contest play out. If this happens, then the people will be the ones determining the Democrat presidential nominee according to party rules. Anything less would be inappropriate and damaging to the ultimate success and validity of the nominee.

Personally, I support Hillary Clinton for president. I have always done so, right from the beginning. I voted for her in the Florida Primary in spite of the illegitimacy of the primary, which by the way was the direct result of the Florida Democrat Party, the Florida Republican Party and the Florida state government. In any case, I support Senator Clinton because she is the best candidate for president. However, as happens many times in our society, the person best for the job often times does not get the job because of the powers that be and the politics involved. In other words, personal, political or societal perceptions sometimes detract from the best candidate being chosen and enhances the selection of the less qualified candidate. I believe this is the case this year in the democrat nominating process. Senator Clinton is the person for the job, but Senator Obama has talked his way into the hearts of too many Americans. Senator Clinton has the answers to America's problems; whereas, Senator Obama is all talk with little evidence of the preparedness, fortitude or practical sense to solve America's problems. This is a real dilemma. In the end Senator McCain vs. Senator Obama may equal Senator McCain being elected president. If this happens, then it would be a matter of the least of these two evils being elected. In any case, Senator Clinton is America's best hope for a prosperous, equitable and secure future.

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Religion & Spiritualism

Pope Benedict XVI made his United States pilgrimage in April. The pope was in America for his 81st birthday and his 3rd anniversary of his becoming pope. His Holiness was a mystery to most Americans. Benedict's trip to America and his varied public appearances helped interested Americans get to know the pope. I enjoyed watching the pomp and circumstance associated with this as well as any pope's visit. Being a Catholic, the significance of a papal visit is immense for me. I am humbled and proud of the public demonstrations of my religion, but I am also sad and mindful of the original Church of Jesus Christ. I can't help but wonder if we are just parading and commercializing the hierarchal view of Catholic tradition. Maybe the tradition should be more a part of the people. Maybe the people should be more of an integral part of the Church founded by Jesus Christ. Once again the misrepresentation of the command of Jesus Christ to His apostles to spread the Word with compassion and simplicity is being forgotten and more importantly misrepresented by the hierarchy of the Church.

Just watching the 6 day visit by Pope Benedict leads me to question the validity of this demonstration of the misinterpreted mission of Christ to His people. Should the Church be so wealthy, so powerful, so controlling? What about the simplicity, the love and the understanding that it's founder, Jesus Christ, prescribed in it's institution. Are we Catholics following the message of Jesus Christ? Is the hierarchy of the Catholic Church following the message of it's founder? How do we justify the financial and societal abuses of our church, the Catholic Church, the church founded by Jesus Christ? How do we come to terms with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the functioning of the contemporary Church?

I think the congruency between the teachings of Jesus and the practices of the current Catholic Church is certainly a personal matter for each Catholic. It is a matter that each person must determine for himself or herself. Also, I think that it is possible to be a member of the Catholic Church in spite of it's current state and still be committed to living one's life as Jesus commands us. The way in which we do this depends on our personal thought processes, value system and courage.

There are some enormously important and nonnegotiable truths that exist and should be made clear in our understanding of the place of the Catholic Church in today's world. Actually this understanding applies not only to today's Church, but to the Church as it developed throughout the ages. First: We must agree that Jesus Christ did exist and founded His church - the Christian Church. This is self-evident and has been agreed upon by religious leaders starting with Jesus Christ. This first Christian Church was Catholic - universal. Second: The problems which developed and exist as the incongruence between Jesus Christ's church and the church that emerged in the first few centuries A.D., is of human design, manmade and erred in content by selfish, egotistical and power-seeking individuals of religious power and status, i.e. church clergy hierarchy. Third: This developing manmade imperfect church became corrupt due to human error. But the basic religious truths remain free from error and in concordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Fourth: The contemporary Catholic Church remains the church founded by Jesus Christ. In spite of human error and questionable practices, there remains clergy as well as laity dedicated to the original teachings of Jesus Christ. The corruption in the church is a function of misguided clergy and laity who have become immersed in materialistic and other sins of the world. This church headed by Jesus and commission by Peter, the first pope, will never terminate. This is documented by the words of Jesus to Peter, "You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church. The gates of hell will not prevail against it". Finally: Salvation is not determined by membership in a particular church. Just as the devoted monk, Martin Luther questioned the corrupt practices in the church of the Middle Ages, we too should question the incongruent practices in the Catholic Church of today. To put it succinctly, salvation is a personal matter. It is the responsibility of the individual to find his or her own path to God. This may be done by means of Church membership or alone. What is unequivocally critical in this search is truth, sincerity and a complete abandonment of self-righteousness. All that God expects from us in this search is love - an unselfish love of God and one another. In the end, God, Yahweh, or Allah (whatever one calls God) will determine our success in this quest.

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Greek and Armenian clergymen were involved in a disturbance at the tomb of Jesus on the Orthodox Palm Sunday in April. This is another example of the friction among Christians. In this case two Christian groups succumbed to violence to solve a worship disagreement. At holy sites such as the tomb of Jesus and the birthplace of Jesus, there exists a "status quo" policy for worship among the different Christian groups. The current brawl on the Orthodox Palm Sunday involved two of these groups. It is sad that Christian people can not get along. They worship the same God and the same savior, yet they can not live in peace here on Earth. What do they think will happen in the afterlife? Whatever exists in the afterlife, there will be only one.

This situation gives me an opportunity to explore this afterlife. We all strive to live the kind of human existence that will earn us eternal life. All Christian religions believe in this eternal life. There are so many differences among these Christian groups as far as the manner in getting to this afterlife. However, if one is a follower of Jesus Christ, then the path is simple. The path involves love - love of God and love of neighbor. These two commandments are the most important to God, all other commandments or laws of living are based on these two simple commands. The only way to eternal life is by love. Christians must adhere to this belief and practice it. We must coexist in peace in this life or we won't achieve that eternal life. This brings me to my conception of eternal life. What is eternal life? I believe that the most basic aspect of eternal life is the fact that it will not be or even related to human life. It will be an existence totally removed from the life we share on earth. It will have no resemblance to our earthly life. I'm not sure what it will resemble, but it will not be human or earthly in any way. Maybe it will be as God is - "I am". Maybe it will just be and we will just be. It may be so simple and yet, we try to make it so complicated. Just be.

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Technology and Business

The stimulus rebate checks will start being delivered in May. Of course you should be aware of the fact that I totally reject the notion of such rebates. Stimulus? No, it's more like a plan to achieve public support for our political leaders by our political leaders. To achieve this stimulus package the federal government is obtaining the money for the rebates by borrowing it from China. What does that achieve? Our federal budget debt goes up and up with no plan in the foreseeable future to reduce it. Financial control and constraints must be employed in all aspects of spending including federal, local and family spending in order to achieve financial responsibility and solvency.

That being said, what will you do with your check? Do not spend it on frivolous nonsense. Do not just blow your rebate. Times are hard. Spend your rebate in the most financially proactive way that will benefit you and your family's financial situation. Pay bills, invest or buy gasoline - all of these ways of spending the rebate check will help the person involved - you. The economy will not be significantly improving in the foreseeable future. Plan accordingly.

The government is compounding the current financial recession in many ways. As I already stated the rebates, the stimulus package is one of those ways. The continued lowering of interest rates is another. The economy will not improve as long as the government continues to lower interest rates. Lower interest rates stimulate credit card debt as well as debt in general. Americans do not need an impetus for further accumulation of debt. This is ridiculous. The imprudent amassing of taxpayer debt is one of the reasons for this negative financial situation in the first place. Also, the lower borrowing interest rates fall, the lower interest rates for savings, etc. fall. What is the impetus to saving money if the saving accounts, money markets, etc. rates are already low and falling? Lastly, the government should not bail out anyone over misguided mortgage accumulations. This is ridiculous. The majority of homeowners who are in danger of mortgage default should not have been granted the mortgages in the first place. The lenders who approved their mortgage requests, in many cases, should be found guilty of illegal and unethical financial practices. We should let the laws of financial order be played out with ordinary and common practices in place. In other words, if you act or acted in an imprudent financial manner, then you (not the rest of us) should take the consequences.

The economy will improve in time. We are not in financial near death, we will recover, but it will take time. The economy will recover and taxpayers will recover. Both will recover successfully and the recovery will be sustained if the recovery is based on a prudent, financially sound manner.

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