13Jan 2016 by CJ

Set goals – but don’t forget about people

Information & Education, Youth
“It’s good to have an end to journey toward; but it’s the journey that matters in the end.” – Ursula K. Le Guin Humanity spends a great deal of time with their sights set on goals. It drives our decisions, motivation and seemingly begins to take on a life of its own. But as we go about our days, striving and pining for the goals we assign a great deal of importance to, far too often we overlook the journey and the realities going on right before our eyes. Many times those “realities” come in the form of people. Perhaps it’s a spouse who supports their mates career aspirations without fail or question – standing on the sidelines hoping their efforts and sacrifices will be noticed and appreciated. Maybe it’s…
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04Nov 2015 by CJ

Opinions don’t always show your knowledge

Information & Education
“All opinions are not equal. Some are a very great deal more robust, sophisticated and well supported in logic and argument than others.” ― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt We all have opinions (after all, if I didn’t have one I wouldn’t be writing this blog!). The way I see it there are two kinds really: opinions which speak to the above quote by Douglas Adams, and those by people who just like to hear themselves talk. Be leery of the latter. I’m speaking of those individuals who typically have to challenge your opinion with an opposing one - many times for no other reason than to support a feeling of dominance as they wade through their imposing insecurities. There is nothing I like more than to hold a…
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22Jul 2015 by CJ

Propaganda is not fact – you need to read between the lines

Information & Education, Youth
“The news isn't there to tell you what happened. It's there to tell you what it wants you to hear or what it thinks you want to hear.” ― Joss Whedon, Astonishing X-Men, Vol. 2: Dangerous I have a great deal of respect for journalists who’ve made it their life’s work to conduct solid reporting based on facts rather than opinions. Who’ve allowed readers to gain unbiased information and inspiration in order to formulate their own conclusion on a particular subject or circumstance. However, I have a great deal of contempt for “so called” journalists who do nothing more than inaccurately shape the reader’s perception by stretching the truth and massaging reality in an effort to fit their own agenda. Case in point. MarketWatch, which is part of the Dow…
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20Jul 2015 by CJ

Prejudices should not be something you teach your children

Information & Education, Life & Living, Youth
"Racism isn't born, folks, it's taught. I have a two-year-old son. You know what he hates? Naps! End of list." Denis Leary The other day I was sitting in traffic, when a strange question sprung to mind: is it possible to fully love someone who supports societal and stereotypical prejudices? It was an odd question I admit, but there it was with no definitive answer on the horizon. Prejudice has often been defined as “a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience”. But I think Charles R. Swingoll summed it up best when he said, “Prejudice is a learned trait. You’re not born prejudiced; you’re taught it.” For some it’s those individuals whose socioeconomic conditions pale in comparison to our own. For others it’s a person’s…
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27Mar 2015 by CJ

Voting for hate – Pence shows Indiana’s discrimination

Information & Education, Life & Living
On March 26th, Indiana’s Governor, Mike Pence, signed into law a very controversial bill called “The Religious Freedom Restoration Act”. From The Huffington Post: “The Religious Freedom Restoration Act would allow any individual or corporation to cite its religious beliefs as a defense when sued by a private party.” In short, it protects and allows businesses to pick and choose who they want to do business with based on the teachings and beliefs of their religion. I don’t know about you, but I’m growing tired of cowardly religious fanatics hiding behind their faith in order to support, and in many cases, propagate discrimination against other, undeserving human beings. The fact of the matter is just because your religion “says” something, doesn’t mean it’s true. We are all free thinking adults,…
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