2021 Holiday Reflections. Resolution Edition
Last year's edition was split into serious and not too serious editions. I'm not going to rerun the whole thing, but here are the resolutions:
A 2020 Holiday Reflection. Part 3 of 3. The Resolute Edition
Gravitas
1. 1968 didn't work out because the 1960s didn't.
2. Something old
3. Reassessing the reassessment of retiring.
4. Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
5. Right, Left and all points in between.
6. Listen to Science.
7. Learn Some History
8. Quite listening to celebrities.
9. Don't take any political view, or news story view, from Twitter.
10. Time to reassess late education.
11. First thing we do. . . .
12. Stop slandering everyone, including public figures you don't know.
Something Less Serious, which doesn't mean I don't mean it.
1. Enough with the tattoos already.
2. Try some real clothing
3. Skip the cartoon movies
4. Quit abusing the English language.
I'm tempted not post this, this year, as frankly 2021 wasn't great year in most ways.
Externally it probably should seem to be to me. I didn't get the Coronavirus and I got all three vaccinations. I.e., I'm boosted. So far, I've avoided the Omicron variant. I've stayed very busy on top of it.
Well, perhaps a bit too much. I didn't have hardly any big game season to speak of, for more than one reason. And I'm not completely acclimated to a six-day work week that's starting to intrude into seven. I'm not 28 years old and that sort of thing can't last forever.
And, for lots of reasons, the past year has been unsettling. Anyone who hasn't found the politics of the past year unsettling hasn't been paying any attention at all. Those who have been paying attention to the science news should find that unsettling. Things need to start happening, and by that we mean getting corrected, and quick.
Maybe I need to do some of that myself.
My profession definitely does.
This past year we saw lawyers, particularly jurists, rise to the occasion and stick with the law and the truth. The numerous lawsuits that were filed challenging the election were embarrassing to the profession, but the courts were not. People got a real display of judicial correctness and excellent judicial jurisprudence, even though in many instances they never understood it. The latter was evidenced by the "the courts never heard the evidence", which is besides the point completely on a case that completely lacks legal merit.
Lawyers themselves, however, didn't always rise to the occasion as it was clear that for at least awhile you could find some to maintain these claims. Having said that, many backed out of doing so, and by and large the profession acted correctly on the challenge it was presented. Perhaps more so than any other.
Less encouraging, however, has been the ongoing corruption of the civil litigation system which had declined enormously since the mid 20th Century. Something needs to be done to grossly reduce the vast number of civil suits that are brought. It will likely take the courts to do that.
More encouraging, in a way, last year saw a wedding and an engagement of some folks we know which was encouraging due to the decency, end even traditionalism, of everyone involved.
Anyhow, with all of that in mind, we'll do this the same way we did last year, with serious and not so serious resolutions.
Gravitas
1. Stop lying.
This is going to be an "off year" election year, which means that politics are going to be in full swing.
The past year, 2021, has featured political lies at a level in American politics which have not been seen for decades, or maybe ever.
People really need to knock it off.
St. Thomas Aquinas opined in the Summae Theologiae that all lying was sinful, and sometimes seriously so.
I answer that, A mortal sin is, properly speaking, one that is contrary to charity whereby the soul lives in union with God, as stated above (II-II:24:12; II-II:35:3). Now a lie may be contrary to charity in three ways: first, in itself; secondly, in respect of the evil intended; thirdly, accidentally.
A lie may be in itself contrary to charity by reason of its false signification. For if this be about divine things, it is contrary to the charity of God, whose truth one hides or corrupts by such a lie; so that a lie of this kind is opposed not only to the virtue of charity, but also to the virtues of faith and religion: wherefore it is a most grievous and a mortal sin. If, however, the false signification be about something the knowledge of which affects a man's good, for instance if it pertain to the perfection of science or to moral conduct, a lie of this description inflicts an injury on one's neighbor, since it causes him to have a false opinion, wherefore it is contrary to charity, as regards the love of our neighbor, and consequently is a mortal sin. On the other hand, if the false opinion engendered by the lie be about some matter the knowledge of which is of no consequence, then the lie in question does no harm to one's neighbor; for instance, if a person be deceived as to some contingent particulars that do not concern him. Wherefore a lie of this kind, considered in itself, is not a mortal sin.
As regards the end in view, a lie may be contrary to charity, through being told with the purpose of injuring God, and this is always a mortal sin, for it is opposed to religion; or in order to injure one's neighbor, in his person, his possessions or his good name, and this also is a mortal sin, since it is a mortal sin to injure one's neighbor, and one sins mortally if one has merely the intention of committing a mortal sin. But if the end intended be not contrary to charity, neither will the lie, considered under this aspect, be a mortal sin, as in the case of a jocose lie, where some little pleasure is intended, or in an officious lie, where the good also of one's neighbor is intended. Accidentally a lie may be contrary to charity by reason of scandal or any other injury resulting therefrom: and thus again it will be a mortal sin, for instance if a man were not deterred through scandal from lying publicly.
Donald Trump did not win the 2020 election, and he didn't win the popular vote. . . ever. There was no conspiracy. Those who know that and maintain otherwise are lying. Those who self deceive themselves when they really know better are lying to themselves.
You can't fault everyone for believing lies. But you can fault those who tell lies.
2. Loyalty is not your Honor.
Right now there's a political advertisement running in which the theme is "Ride for the Brand".
Don't ride for the brand. Think for yourself.
Another way to summarize the "ride for the brand" thing, as currently being used in politics, is to state that Loyalty is my Honor, or in its original form Meine Ehre Heisst Treue. That was the motto of the SS.
Yeah, they were loyal, alright. That's the point.
There's something to be said for loyalty, of course. Loyalty to what's true. That doesn't mean being loyal to anyone one person but to truth and principals.
The first principal of democracy is loyalty to democracy itself. Both the 2020 vote desires and the liberal "we'll slam it through the courts" crowd are disloyal to it At least people who don't believe in the vote should, if nothing else, be honest about that.
FWIW, that "whole ride for the brand" think was never really as simple minded as people feeding it to the public as a slogan right now in the first place anyway. Most 19th Century cowhands were riding for themselves, and darned near what we'd regard today as independant contractors. They worked for whatever ranch they signed on with for part of the year, usually, unless they were a top hand that was actually hired all year long. Those guys, however, were usually taking part of their pay in cattle so they could start their own place.
Ride for the brand indeed.
3. Hold them Accountable.
It's common to say we should hold our politicians accountable, but in Wyoming we have the unique ability to do that.
Here soon people are going to be walking around the neighborhood campaigning for votes and some of them are going to tell lies, either because they believe them or because they are self deluding themselves. You can hold them accountable.
And some of these people you are going to occasionally see in places where their principals can be questioned. I don't mean to suggest bothering a politician in the grocery line at Ridleys, but if you see one standing there at Easter Mass in a few months, well . . .
4. Courtesy
Pundits have been declaring for some time that courteous discourse has been declining in American society, but over the past couple of years its declined at an epic rate.
Republicans on the far right who figure that their beliefs defined the GOP declare other Republicans "RINOS" and demand, in some instances, loyalty tests. Those of differing political views slam those who are their opposites. It's all just too much.
People quit listening when they are offended. Very few people have really evil or secret motives. Everything should be in the light, but burning the camp of the perceived enemy isn't that.
5. First Things
This year, an election year, would be a good year to be dedicated to First Things.
Every year would be.
First things probably means different things to different people, but here it'll mean this. It's time to apply the real principles that would lead to a just and sustainable society.
We've posted on them a lot, but they're summarized most of all by the Apostolic Faiths, which have no "health and wealth gospel". We've also typed in here the quotes from Edward Abbey and Aldo Leopold.
It's getting late in the day, as Cardinal Sara has reminded us. It's too late for judging where society goes based upon the local economy, your favorite lifestyle, and your own personal desires.
6. The reflection in the mirror
This past year we've seen, yet again, the cycle of a male actor behaving badly some time ago, a current accusation coming out, followed by the dogpile as it turns out that others knew it or they want to be associated with the virtuous.
Virtue is kind of an all in, or all out, sort of thing, as a rule. There are exceptions, but they usually involve a sort of spectacular late allegiance to it. We don't see those coming out of the entertainment industry.
The American entertainment industry has been a moral sewer for decades. We've posted over the past year about at least one Hollywood scandal from 1921, and we've probably posted on more than one.
Let's be blunt and honest, the entire "it was all consensual" thing, combined with that "I don't k now what I was thinking when I went to his apartment" think is no excuse. You were acting badly.
6. Bring back some standards.
This may directly relate to the item above in lots of ways, but we're now at the point where lots of basic standards have slipped so much it's a considerable problem.
We'll start with the law again. The entire spread of the UBE has been a disaster. It'd frankly be best if lawyers couldn't practice across jurisdictional boundaries at all, but if that must be allowed, make them take a state bar exam. A real one.
Maybe it's time to bring back some external standards as well, including dress standards. As somebody who frequently breaks them, that may seem like a surprising statement, but if "clothes make the man", maybe we'd be better made if this was the case.
Moral standards have really lapsed. People like to claim that this is a pendulum, but if it is, it's stuck somewhere in the 1970s and is fueled by self-delusion in all sorts of ways.
And, once again, perhaps we should quit basing standards solely on the corporate bottom line.
And, in nothing else, here's one final one:
7. Quit making things worse for everyone.
Some people are doing that. And what's more they probably know that.
A person basing everything on their own selfish demands isn't helping. If you are 100% convinced of all of your views, and completely unwilling to listen to anyone else, you probably have thinly developed opinions.
8. Succession
Finland has a PM in her 30s, and Argentina has a President now in his 30s.
Time marches on and talent vests in people irrespective of age. Some experiences go from relevancy to irrelevancy within our own lifetimes.
The time has really come for the Boomer Generation, and probably Generations Jones (which never had any power) to step into lessor roles. Death shouldn't be the only means of passing power and responsibility from one generation to another, but. . .
9. Democracy of the dead.
Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about.
G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy
Some Less Serious
1. Take a break from manning the ramparts.
This is going to be a repeat, but enough already on the enemy at the gates in everything.
One way societies fail is in reaction and fatigue. Sooner or later, the guy carrying the placard out on the sidewalk that says "the end is near" is going to be ignored.
2. Movements fail when people get sick and tired of their adherents basically screaming in the streets. Most people live busy lives and don't have the time or energy to engage in dire angst every day. Simply living is enough.
2. Visit the enemy camp.
This year in particular, it would be really helpful if all the dyed in the world adherents of various social philosophies actually visited their opponents a bit. And by that, I mean whomever they hate the most.
And I am using the word "hate" advisedly. It seems to me that many people right now really truly hate their opposites. It needs to stop, and there's no better way to do that than to really see what's up with those people. Maybe they'll be convinced by you, or maybe you'll moderate their opinion on them. Anyway, unless a person is just flat out afraid of testing their opinions, they ought to do this.
3. Bring back Kasie Hunt
NBC really blew it when they let Kasie Hunt go.
I still think she should be made the host of Meet The Press.
4. Chris Christie and Donna Brazile for the Oval Office.
I mean this, by the way.
And I don't care who would head the ticket. I'm okay with either.
And yes, I knwo that Christie is a Republican and Brazile a Democrat. But he's not a "hunt you down and save your left wing cats" Republican but a real conservative with an open mind, while she's not in the "let's host a new Internationale" Democrat and also has an open mind.
5. Stop it with the stupid sex themed films and television shows, Hollywood
This is not only immoral, it's now boring. It's not edgy, i'ts not progressive, its just exploitative and, given the ongoing "we're shocked, shocked to learn that an actor in a drama with the word "Sex" in it ran around having illicit sex" stories come up all the time, maybe somebody ought to connect the dots.
6. Use your name
I want people to resolve to quit using made up names. Stage names should be passe and their stupid. Lenard McKelvey, you are not Charleamange and the rest of your radio moniker is blasphemous. Nobody is really named Doja Cat. If you put stallions in your made up last name, you are bordering on cultural appropriation. Let's cut it out.
Some Repeats:
1. Something old
It used to be the case, for some reason, brides were told they needed;
Something old
Something new.
Something borrowed
Something blue.
I don't know about that, but the entire society needs to try the first one, as we by and large don't know what works anymore. And by that, I mean something serious, and some things not so much.
What I more particularly mean is that everyone, and I'm serious about this, ought to look back prior to the Boomer generation and try something, and really try it, that your progenitors of that generation prior would have regarded as routine. Because this blog is directed at the faceless void, I don't know what that really means in your case.
In my own, that'd be pretty easy as my parents weren't Boomers. So for folks like me, I'd say go back one prior to that. I.e., if your parents were in the pre Boomer generation, look at least one back. If your parents are Boomers, look to the generation or generations prior to that.
And be at least partially serious.
Now, I know some people who think they've done this. Their great grandparents might avhe been immigrants from Poland, for example, so they've adopted Polish names for their newborn and they eat kielbasa on the Polish national holiday, whatever that is. And I in fact mean something sort of like taht. . . but more.
On the light side, that is what I mean. I don't care if you are a dedicated vegan. If your grandparents routinely had a hefty Sunday meal of roast beef, potatoes, and finished it off with coffee (and many people did just that), try it for a few weeks running.
Try it.
But beyond that, try something serious.
Did your grandparents always put in a garden? Put one in. Did one of them go fishing, and not in the weeny "catch and release" way, but in the "I'm eating that" way. Do it. Was one a farmer. . . think about farming if you can (which you probably can't, so put in a garden).
And beyond that.
Were your grand parents Italian immigrants and you think that you celebrate that heritage by having lasagna every now and then? You don't. Go to Mass for three months in a row. Were they Romanian? Well go to the Romanian Orthodox Church three months in a row or the Greek Orthodox or Byzantine Catholic one if you can't find one and see what that's like . . .seriously.
And are you living a life that your Italian grandmother would have regarded as an infamnia when she was 20. Well knock it and try to live like she did.
With all of this stuff, I think you'll find something. . . and something serious, real, and seriously real.
2. Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
If you worked your entire life in Dayton, you owe the place something or at least you owe Ohio something. Don't pick up and move simply because you can when you retire your job at Amalgamated Amalgamated. If you hated Ohio, you should have left before then.
Okay, family ties, health, etc., all matter. And I don't have a problem with people moving from Craig to Ranger, or Riverton to Dubois, or Santa Fe to Taos. But we owe where we are from something and to have lived and worked in a region and then to pick up root when we retire and relocate does a double disservice. It deprives our community of what it gave us, both in resources and in knowledge, and it drops us in a place where we may very well be an economic and cultural menace.
If you retire from Giant Co in Illinois and then buy a farm in Nebraska as a hobby, some young farmer in Nebraska probably won't be able to get a start. If you wanted to be a farmer you should have tried it prior to that point. You get the picture.
And frankly, if you stick around and finally pass in your region, people remember you. And for a long time. If you pick up and move to Arizona, people forget you, and your obituary in the paper just brings a "I wonder who that was and why they're in our paper?". Don't fools yourself. You may have been a big lawyer at big law firm, but if you die some place distant, nobody is going to remember you.
3. Quite listening to celebrities.
I've posted this before so I'm going to be brief, and frankly extreme. But I mean it.
If you became famous because you are an entertainer, you forfeited your seriousness card and nobody, and I do mean nobody, should listen to you on anything other than your field. That's it.
Nobody should care one whit what any celebrity says on anything serious matter, whether it be politics or science or a social matter. Staying famous is the stock and trade of celebrities and no celebrity is ever going to say anything that impairs that. Ever. If Nazi Dogs For Injustice became a big deal tomorrow, all celebrities would suddenly be Nazi Dogs For Injustice.
4. Stop slandering everyone, including public figures you don't know.
An example from, of course, Twitter.
Well, "international best seller" author, a lot more people are aware of Sasse and respect him than will every read any of your books, none of which I've heard of, and all of which will be in the bargain bin of the library book sale within five years.
Stating something like this may pass for whit in the 21st Century, but it's awfully close to the infantile school yard taunts of the pre Internet age. It's easy to imagine Winslow running around with the old "I guess I'll go eat worms" playground chant after a thing like that, but there's a lot of that on Twitter.
5. Accept that "I feel it", "want it" or "desire it" doesn't make it anything other than an individual feeling, want or desire.
Your own particular desires of any kind don't rise to a level of a societal need that society needs to personally ratify.
They may not even be legitimate. Just because you want something, no matter how deeply you feel it, doesn't mean its disordered. Just because you want to eat all the cake, for example, doesn't give you a protected right to do so and it doesn't mean you really should, for a multiplicity of reasons. And if you do eat it all, that doesn't mean that you have to demand everyone else accept that you ate it and agree that the problems its causing you aren't real problems.
Some Personal
1. Less posting.
I posted too much this year.
That's for a variety of reasons, none of which is a good reason for posting more in 2021 than any prior year.
I like writing, obviously, but I should be working on my novel.
I'm not going to quit posting, but I do think the 1922 retrospectives will be fewer than the 1921 ones. Of course, we have 1942 going now . . .
2. Get to work on the novel
Says it all.
3. Don't forget your old friends.
When things get busy, this is too easy to do. And then sooner or later, you are just oen of those old people that everyone has forgotten about.
While this is posted in personal, this is actually a large societal problem in the modern Western world, particularly for men.
4. Getting outdoors
Speaks for itself, but often very hard to do, as getting outdoors means less time indoors. As part of that, however, it's time for me to learn to say "no".
Prior and related threads:
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