No, this post
is not a combination of the above ingredients, just that they are the topics
which separately today bring me to the typewriter. Well… to the computer…
As
it often happens, the morning light overflows into the window, then the day
moves right along behind it and, before you know it… daylight is almost gone
over the other side of the orb. This morning, on my way to English class, I had
the local NPR public station on. Usually, early in the morning, this is the one I most
listen to, because all news is served on a clean platter and there are good
commentary segments.
This
morning a segment on alcoholism caught my attention. Unfortunately, only the
middle portion came to me, since it had begun before I got into the car and, by
the time my faithful chariot was being parked in front of the school, the
segment was not yet finished.
However,
there was enough time to hear something which brought home a comment my son
often made. In the beginning, I thought it was his way of joking about his
alcohol related problems; then it turned out to be a real issue as he would
expound on his thoughts. This morning I heard that, as it turns out, recent
studies show that alcohol will do more actual physical damage to the human
brain than other drugs, including cocaine. It seems that heavy alcohol use will actually
destroy the gray matter, inhibiting its growth. This apparently came as somewhat
of a surprise to the commentators, who were up in arms about this heretofore
little known aspect of the evil of alcoholism.
Long
after he had cleansed his life, my son Eric would, in the midst of a
conversation when talking about earlier times, draw a complete blank about
issues which had gone on then and, after not being able to remember, he would
usually say: “that must have been in the
gray cells I lost during my drinking times” and he would smile that shy,
semi guilty and somewhat ironic smile of his. Now, it turns out he was right
all along. I do not know if his comment was due to specific knowledge, or that
it was his way of talking himself out of an awkward moment but, it has now been
proven through these recent studies that he had the right of it.
Alcohol
has proven to be a social ill that causes great harm; on a social scale, a
familiar scale and an economic scale. Now it looks like the damage is much more
permanent than it was thought before. We have accepted this drug in our society
as a “tolerated” evil and often look the other way. It was only living through
the hell it caused in my son’s life that I came to understand the true damage that heavy use and dependence can bring about. Also, I was able to come to know and understand the inner
strength Eric showed in being able to fight this monster to a functional draw.
Be
careful… social drinking, if left unchecked could quickly become needs drinking…
then it may be too late to turn around… Just be aware…
Now,
in order to switch gears… In the news, this week end, there was a bit about a
“convention” of Atheists in Washington ,
D.C.
However,
it seems that some of those who spoke to them were inciting an “all out war”
against religion, against any kind of spiritual belief. Those of us who profess
to believe, in their eyes, are utter fools who should not be allowed to feel
this way and to express our thoughts about this issue.
Seems
they feel, as many of those who rant against the establishment usually do, that
only their point of view is the valid one and that those who profess an
opposing viewpoint, should not be allowed to have it. That’s where we part
company. I adhere, in these cases, to the adage that says “your rights end where mine begin”. In other words, and I will borrow the motto of our great USMC… “Don’t tread on me”.
I
do believe that we all have the right to profess our beliefs, be they whatever
they may be. If you want to convince me to think the way you do, then discuss
your issues with me, present your arguments logically and I will make a decision. And if that
decision happens to be in conflict with your non-belief, then accept and
respect it.
And,
in the end, if you truly believe there is no God… then go on with your your life
and simply ignore those who do believe.
After
all, if you are totally convinced of what you profess as an Atheist, then… What
is there to rant against? … Huh?
Be
Well … Be Back!!!
Final Notes:
- Pray for those who are fighting an illness which
may take them away from their loved ones… Every request is heard, and
counts!!
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- “La
Otra Caja de Pandora”… The
Spanish language Blog… “otracaja.blogspot.com”
… Bienvenidos!!!
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