This question came to mind last week during a discussion with one of my readers. I've been thinking about it a lot ever since. I suspect there may be numerous answers and a couple different ways of viewing it, depending on who you are.
The question is...
America's Golden Age - When was it?
In asking the question, I'm not ruling out the possibility either that it may not yet have happened either.
If you have a few minutes and have an opinion you would like to share, I'd appreciate you sharing. Define when you think it occurred or will occur, and what key elements you think might define it.
I don't think there is a wrong answer.
Please leave a comment, or if you would prefer to answer it by email, send your answers to goldenagequestion@urbankoda.com. Please also let me know if you have any reservations with my publishing your answer on this blog.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The most popular blog post of all time...
... at least on this site, it would appear to be one I did on a lump I got removed from my head. If you go to Google and do a search for images involving heads and lumps thereon, two on my pictures generally show up in the top ten. Depending on your search criteria, mine have shown as high as second on the list.
I think the primary reason I get so many hits from these is that out of all the pictures, mine are probably the least gross.
Anyway, I just thought that was interesting...
The pictures in question are:
and
The second most popular post is an attempt at humor surrounding the different types of computer users... Read it here. If you look up that in Google, I've got position number 1.
I think the primary reason I get so many hits from these is that out of all the pictures, mine are probably the least gross.
Anyway, I just thought that was interesting...
The pictures in question are:
and
The second most popular post is an attempt at humor surrounding the different types of computer users... Read it here. If you look up that in Google, I've got position number 1.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Mooving Thought...
I received this today from a friend of my sweet wife...
Sometimes you can reach too far!
When you find yourself over-extended and you're stuck in a situation
that you can't get out of, there is one thing you should always
remember.......
Not everyone who shows up......
Is there to help you!!!!
Sometimes you can reach too far!
When you find yourself over-extended and you're stuck in a situation
that you can't get out of, there is one thing you should always
remember.......
Not everyone who shows up......
Is there to help you!!!!
Law of Institutions
I've been reading some interesting stuff over on another forum... It's made me think that perhaps the time has come for me to return this blog to being one of humorous observations, and resurrecting the Koda Think Tank.
The Think Tank isn't gone, it just got locked down a while back to try and appease some people who were out for my blood. Turns out it didn't really work, all the blog had served to do was to provide these individuals with a reason to come after me, something they have obviously been looking for for the better part of the last 3 decades. Now that I realize that and have seen their true colors, all I can think is... Screw 'em!! The people have a right to read my stuff, no matter how twisted and/or truthful it may be.
I need to do some housekeeping over on the Think Tank, but I expect to have it back up and running by the end of the month, open for any who wish to peruse the dark recesses of my mind, on matters religious and political.
Until such time as that happens... Let me whet your appetite with the following two thoughts. The first shared by an individual who goes by TheProudDuck and the second by ff42.
TPD's First Law of Institutions:
All institutions, unless restrained, tend over time to become run for the benefit of the people who run them.
Applies to corporations, churches, governments, unions, media -- pretty much everything.
Second law of institutions:
All institutions, unless 'upset', tend over time to become more and more extreme in a direction.
If a person want to 'climb the corporate ladder', they will note the behavior and philosophies of the people that run the corporation and attempt to emulate them (so as to get promoted). Overtime the leadership of the corporation (and all the flunkies) will become more and more conservative (or liberal)
Good stuff eh?
The Think Tank isn't gone, it just got locked down a while back to try and appease some people who were out for my blood. Turns out it didn't really work, all the blog had served to do was to provide these individuals with a reason to come after me, something they have obviously been looking for for the better part of the last 3 decades. Now that I realize that and have seen their true colors, all I can think is... Screw 'em!! The people have a right to read my stuff, no matter how twisted and/or truthful it may be.
I need to do some housekeeping over on the Think Tank, but I expect to have it back up and running by the end of the month, open for any who wish to peruse the dark recesses of my mind, on matters religious and political.
Until such time as that happens... Let me whet your appetite with the following two thoughts. The first shared by an individual who goes by TheProudDuck and the second by ff42.
TPD's First Law of Institutions:
All institutions, unless restrained, tend over time to become run for the benefit of the people who run them.
Applies to corporations, churches, governments, unions, media -- pretty much everything.
Second law of institutions:
All institutions, unless 'upset', tend over time to become more and more extreme in a direction.
If a person want to 'climb the corporate ladder', they will note the behavior and philosophies of the people that run the corporation and attempt to emulate them (so as to get promoted). Overtime the leadership of the corporation (and all the flunkies) will become more and more conservative (or liberal)
Good stuff eh?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Dear Mr. Glenn Beck....
Mr Beck,
I used to be a huge fan. Your radio show included a lot of comedy, and I like listening to a guy who can laugh at himself as well as others. Your show combined current events, humor and politics in a most enticing way. I think even liberals enjoyed your show at times. You had it right!
For Christmas a few years back, my wife purchased me a gift subscription to your magazine, along with a T-Shirt for "The Frog 109.9". I still think it's a cool shirt!
I've turned my mother, in-laws and numerous other friends and family members on to you, and may of whom are still loyal listeners.
The thing is though, that you've stopped being funny. I haven't listened to your show regularly for well over a year now, and after subscribing to satellite primarily so I could watch you on CNN, I would now much rather use it to watch the Discovery Channel.
I think what initially turned me off you was hearing you put down Mr. Ron Paul as a presidential candidate, even though I think the two of you are likely 99% in agreement. Then when your party (And don't go claiming you're independent anymore) chose the dingbat from Arizona you acted all surprised - You could have made a difference Glenn, but you blew it.
Or perhaps how you were so against Mitt Romney, but then fell in love with him after he invited you to his little "I'm a Mormon" speech. And prior to that you were all "I'm not going to support him just because we're part of the same religion", "he's too liberal for my liking" blah blah blah.
Actually what was even more surprising was how you jumped all over the Tea Party idea earlier this year, like a horny teenage boy on a copy of Playboy, even though it appeared to have been the brain child of Mr Paul's Campaign for Liberty.
Talk about flip flopping Glenn!!
As I said, you're not funny anymore, nor do you even try to be objective. You've become nothing other than a Mormon version of Rush Limbaugh, just without the weight and tobacco habit. You're a peddler of fear and mis-truths for you own personal gain, failing to see the problems in your own party, but more than willing to point them out in the other party, no matter how ridiculous they may be. For the record, I think both parties are filled with self-serving scumbags, and that we need to clean house in Washington. But the party that claims moral superiority, really should try actually exercising some morals too!
I unsubscribed from your email newsletter last year, because I just couldn't take the fear you were disseminating with it. I got sick of hearing how incompetent the liberals were, when it was the so-called conservatives that got us stuck in this economic hell hole.
Speaking of incompetence, somehow, as of last week, I'm back on your email list. I unsubscribed again, but today I received another.
Perhaps you are like so many other conservatives who believe that freedom is important, only as it applies you and that it is not something that others can be trusted with... Since I don't see things your way, therefore I can't be expected to choose for myself - is that how it works?
I'm sorry Glenn <sniff> but I just love my personal freedom <sniff>. I love <sniff> <weep> not having to have fear <sniff> rammed down my throat <sniff> by a man who doesn't want to see his tax rates raised, simply because he's been able to rake the cash in, courtesy of the American People.<sniff>
Please kindly unsubscribe me from your newsletter - AGAIN!!!
Sincerely,
Mr. Koda
I used to be a huge fan. Your radio show included a lot of comedy, and I like listening to a guy who can laugh at himself as well as others. Your show combined current events, humor and politics in a most enticing way. I think even liberals enjoyed your show at times. You had it right!
For Christmas a few years back, my wife purchased me a gift subscription to your magazine, along with a T-Shirt for "The Frog 109.9". I still think it's a cool shirt!
I've turned my mother, in-laws and numerous other friends and family members on to you, and may of whom are still loyal listeners.
The thing is though, that you've stopped being funny. I haven't listened to your show regularly for well over a year now, and after subscribing to satellite primarily so I could watch you on CNN, I would now much rather use it to watch the Discovery Channel.
I think what initially turned me off you was hearing you put down Mr. Ron Paul as a presidential candidate, even though I think the two of you are likely 99% in agreement. Then when your party (And don't go claiming you're independent anymore) chose the dingbat from Arizona you acted all surprised - You could have made a difference Glenn, but you blew it.
Or perhaps how you were so against Mitt Romney, but then fell in love with him after he invited you to his little "I'm a Mormon" speech. And prior to that you were all "I'm not going to support him just because we're part of the same religion", "he's too liberal for my liking" blah blah blah.
Actually what was even more surprising was how you jumped all over the Tea Party idea earlier this year, like a horny teenage boy on a copy of Playboy, even though it appeared to have been the brain child of Mr Paul's Campaign for Liberty.
Talk about flip flopping Glenn!!
As I said, you're not funny anymore, nor do you even try to be objective. You've become nothing other than a Mormon version of Rush Limbaugh, just without the weight and tobacco habit. You're a peddler of fear and mis-truths for you own personal gain, failing to see the problems in your own party, but more than willing to point them out in the other party, no matter how ridiculous they may be. For the record, I think both parties are filled with self-serving scumbags, and that we need to clean house in Washington. But the party that claims moral superiority, really should try actually exercising some morals too!
I unsubscribed from your email newsletter last year, because I just couldn't take the fear you were disseminating with it. I got sick of hearing how incompetent the liberals were, when it was the so-called conservatives that got us stuck in this economic hell hole.
Speaking of incompetence, somehow, as of last week, I'm back on your email list. I unsubscribed again, but today I received another.
Perhaps you are like so many other conservatives who believe that freedom is important, only as it applies you and that it is not something that others can be trusted with... Since I don't see things your way, therefore I can't be expected to choose for myself - is that how it works?
I'm sorry Glenn <sniff> but I just love my personal freedom <sniff>. I love <sniff> <weep> not having to have fear <sniff> rammed down my throat <sniff> by a man who doesn't want to see his tax rates raised, simply because he's been able to rake the cash in, courtesy of the American People.<sniff>
Please kindly unsubscribe me from your newsletter - AGAIN!!!
Sincerely,
Mr. Koda
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Phone Connections and Snakes
I've been thinking about this for a while now, but just kind of pulled it all together into a cohesive thought over the past week.
Have you seen the movie... What About Bob?
Bill Murray plays a man with problems, however through a series of often humorous events, Bob helps his psychologist, a somewhat uptight, yet brilliant character played by Richard Dreyfus, and his family overcome some of their problems as well. I'd highly recommend the movie.
Anyway, at one point Bob is speaking to the good doctor's daughter about difficult people, and Bob uses the analogy of a bad connection on the telephone. Sometimes you just get a bad connection with people and the best course of action is to hang up and try again, rather than just assuming that the connection will always be bad.
It's good advice. I've found that most people of basically good and decent folks. Everyone has bad days, and I think we're all entitled to bad days, so before you judge anyone too harshly try hanging up and calling again.
Sometimes though, you just get a bad connection every time you call... This is where my snake theory comes in.
I for one happen to like snakes. Few creatures can match their beauty and what I only see as incredibly graceful movements. They're incredibly efficient hunters and I love to sit and watch them. However with all that said I have very healthy respect for them. Growing up in a county with spitting cobra's and black & green mamba's, I think a healthy respect for these amazing creatures is required.
Sometimes we meet people who are like snakes. Good at what they do, but at the same time, the relationship isn't the most cozy. They might mistake you for a threat, and in turn they provide a very real threat to you and your family. That's not to say that they aren't good people, but just that a healthy level of respect is required, and just like snakes, sometimes it's better for all involved if you just keep your distance.
Have you seen the movie... What About Bob?
Bill Murray plays a man with problems, however through a series of often humorous events, Bob helps his psychologist, a somewhat uptight, yet brilliant character played by Richard Dreyfus, and his family overcome some of their problems as well. I'd highly recommend the movie.
Anyway, at one point Bob is speaking to the good doctor's daughter about difficult people, and Bob uses the analogy of a bad connection on the telephone. Sometimes you just get a bad connection with people and the best course of action is to hang up and try again, rather than just assuming that the connection will always be bad.
It's good advice. I've found that most people of basically good and decent folks. Everyone has bad days, and I think we're all entitled to bad days, so before you judge anyone too harshly try hanging up and calling again.
Sometimes though, you just get a bad connection every time you call... This is where my snake theory comes in.
I for one happen to like snakes. Few creatures can match their beauty and what I only see as incredibly graceful movements. They're incredibly efficient hunters and I love to sit and watch them. However with all that said I have very healthy respect for them. Growing up in a county with spitting cobra's and black & green mamba's, I think a healthy respect for these amazing creatures is required.
Sometimes we meet people who are like snakes. Good at what they do, but at the same time, the relationship isn't the most cozy. They might mistake you for a threat, and in turn they provide a very real threat to you and your family. That's not to say that they aren't good people, but just that a healthy level of respect is required, and just like snakes, sometimes it's better for all involved if you just keep your distance.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Are you a racist? The answer may surprize you
I've mentioned before that I grew up amid a lot of racist idea's in South Africa. While I generally rejected most of what I was taught at home, church, school and elsewhere, some of it still stuck.
I can't say for sure if I have entirely removed any of those thoughts from who I am, but I was fortunate enough to spend almost 2 years of my life living amongst the ethnic people of South Africa and received such a warm welcome and kindness at their hands, that much of it has gone.
While that was fortunate, as I have dealt with working through things like this in my head (Largely through the medium of this blog), it is unfortunate that some involved in my past would take offense to their thinking, that I was insinuating that they might possibly be considered racist. For whatever reason my personal journey has stirred within these people feelings of contempt towards me, and a need to justify and/or deny past events.
If you've ever wondered if you were racist, try the following:
1. Have you ever used a racial slur when communicating with, or about a member of a different racial group?
2. Have you ever taught or believed that the color of a person's skin is a direct result of some sin committed by them in a previous life?
3. Have you ever celebrated, not having to be a part of a countries first democratic election, where all people can vote, regardless of skin color?
4. Have you ever taught and/or believed that skin color has a direct effect on intelligence or ability to lead?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you might think you could be considered racist, but apparently both you and I are wrong - and there is a very high probability that we should seek professional help to overcome it too.
I can't say for sure if I have entirely removed any of those thoughts from who I am, but I was fortunate enough to spend almost 2 years of my life living amongst the ethnic people of South Africa and received such a warm welcome and kindness at their hands, that much of it has gone.
While that was fortunate, as I have dealt with working through things like this in my head (Largely through the medium of this blog), it is unfortunate that some involved in my past would take offense to their thinking, that I was insinuating that they might possibly be considered racist. For whatever reason my personal journey has stirred within these people feelings of contempt towards me, and a need to justify and/or deny past events.
If you've ever wondered if you were racist, try the following:
1. Have you ever used a racial slur when communicating with, or about a member of a different racial group?
2. Have you ever taught or believed that the color of a person's skin is a direct result of some sin committed by them in a previous life?
3. Have you ever celebrated, not having to be a part of a countries first democratic election, where all people can vote, regardless of skin color?
4. Have you ever taught and/or believed that skin color has a direct effect on intelligence or ability to lead?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you might think you could be considered racist, but apparently both you and I are wrong - and there is a very high probability that we should seek professional help to overcome it too.
This blog post brought to you by tolerance, and the ability to realize that just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn't mean they hate and despise you.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
On Science
Life continues to rob me of time for blogging. That's not to say I'm not enjoying life, but just that it's been somewhat busy of late.
I've had 2 blog ideas over the past week or so, and since they both have in them the idea of science, perhaps I could share them both.
First, 2 weeks ago, I found myself sitting in Church listening to those who had been assigned the topic of truth upon which to based their presentations. I may have ranted about this before, but I find it ironic that a Church which was founded on the idea of searching for truth, now finds itself discouraging it's membership from seeking truth, directing them instead to accept as gospel the word of their 'divinely appointed' leaders. But I digress...
So it was with mild amusement that I found myself listening, whilst juggling a couple of toddlers.
Speaker #2 brings up that he is an electrical engineer and in order to do his work, he is bound by the rules of science. To create a circuit, or other device, there are principles of truth which he must follow, or his creations, modifications or whatever else he may do, simply will not work.
That was all well and good, until he compared science and religion. Science is continually changing, and so we cannot trust in science. The truth of God is a constant however and so we must cling to that...
My good man... Perhaps next time you want to use the laws of science to illustrate your point, you won't turn around and then render them seemingly irrelevant to make your other point which for all intent and purposes is based on flawed logic!!
So that was the first thing...
Secondly, I've gotten somewhat addicted to a TV show called the Big Bang Theory... If you haven't seen it, I would highly recommend it. It's hilarious!!! Anyway, one of the main characters - Sheldon, is a brilliant physicist. He tends to view our civilization from a very scientific and analytical perspective. On Monday's show, his roommate receives a phone call, which he chooses to ignore, and a voice message is left. Sheldon views this as a binding social contract. When a voice message is left, the party for which it was left is bound to listen to the message and respond. In Sheldon's mind, failure to do so would lead to a breakdown in the social order, and end in total anarchy. *** Spoiler alert *** It didn't
In science such an outcome may be true. You can determine outcomes of specific experiments, by applying mathematical equations, and determine what the outcomes will be with a high degree of certainty.
Humans don't seem to play by the rules though. We're free thinking creatures with the amazing ability to adapt and change. In a precise scientific experiment, the addition of an unexpected outside force can introduce chaos, and destroy everything, with humans, it only succeeds in making life more interesting.
We're amazing creatures, we humans.
I've had 2 blog ideas over the past week or so, and since they both have in them the idea of science, perhaps I could share them both.
First, 2 weeks ago, I found myself sitting in Church listening to those who had been assigned the topic of truth upon which to based their presentations. I may have ranted about this before, but I find it ironic that a Church which was founded on the idea of searching for truth, now finds itself discouraging it's membership from seeking truth, directing them instead to accept as gospel the word of their 'divinely appointed' leaders. But I digress...
So it was with mild amusement that I found myself listening, whilst juggling a couple of toddlers.
Speaker #2 brings up that he is an electrical engineer and in order to do his work, he is bound by the rules of science. To create a circuit, or other device, there are principles of truth which he must follow, or his creations, modifications or whatever else he may do, simply will not work.
That was all well and good, until he compared science and religion. Science is continually changing, and so we cannot trust in science. The truth of God is a constant however and so we must cling to that...
My good man... Perhaps next time you want to use the laws of science to illustrate your point, you won't turn around and then render them seemingly irrelevant to make your other point which for all intent and purposes is based on flawed logic!!
So that was the first thing...
Secondly, I've gotten somewhat addicted to a TV show called the Big Bang Theory... If you haven't seen it, I would highly recommend it. It's hilarious!!! Anyway, one of the main characters - Sheldon, is a brilliant physicist. He tends to view our civilization from a very scientific and analytical perspective. On Monday's show, his roommate receives a phone call, which he chooses to ignore, and a voice message is left. Sheldon views this as a binding social contract. When a voice message is left, the party for which it was left is bound to listen to the message and respond. In Sheldon's mind, failure to do so would lead to a breakdown in the social order, and end in total anarchy. *** Spoiler alert *** It didn't
In science such an outcome may be true. You can determine outcomes of specific experiments, by applying mathematical equations, and determine what the outcomes will be with a high degree of certainty.
Humans don't seem to play by the rules though. We're free thinking creatures with the amazing ability to adapt and change. In a precise scientific experiment, the addition of an unexpected outside force can introduce chaos, and destroy everything, with humans, it only succeeds in making life more interesting.
We're amazing creatures, we humans.
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