O' the day - 05.28.08

I'm a bit perturbed by the piece I heard on NPR this morning, regarding a loyalty oath that is a required signature by California employees. This oath enjoins one to uphold the U.S. Constitution, and to defend it against its enemies; what disturbs me is not the oath itself, but the persons that refuse to sign it. While I'm a pacifist at heart and would not think of joining the military, as a citizen of the United States, I see it as my duty to uphold our constitution, no matter what. Why would one refuse to sign? It's not asking you to pick up a shotgun and go looking for commies, just that you agree to defend the ideas of your chosen country. Once again, I think it's a case of "if you don't like it here, then leave."

A quote from Mark Twain seems in order: "...no country can be well governed unless its citizens as a body keep religiously before their minds that they are the guardians of the law . . ."

O' the day - 05.07.08

Being busy is a funny thing. Trying to keep a list of verbal and written tasks in one's head, attempting to keep the peace among team members, and making management look good creates a whirlwind of busy-ness that threatens to overwhelm, while ensuring one never has a dull moment. The human brain is an amazing thing, to handle whatever is thrown at it, enlarging to hold more and more within its limitless confines, while prioritizing on a minute-to-minute basis. Bring it on -- we'll see if I can handle it.