Crazy Rich Opinions
America is seeing the Salem Witchcraft re-enacted in Congress today. There’s a lot of over-reaction and raw emotion; bending of convenient rules and hypocrisy. I feel the need to speak on this today. Move on to the jokes if this bothers you.
In the musical Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye, the Father sings a song about being a rich man and all the perks that come with it. One line that sticks out to me as unfortunately true is when he proclaims “when you’re rich, they think you really know.”
Let me extrapolate that a bit. When you’re rich, powerful, influential, etc., somehow people put a lot of weight on your opinions. Just because the rich have “arrived,” people want to be like them … think like them … so they can BE them.
Once you accept that there are fake authorities, look beyond that egotist with the microphone and start looking at the facts. When a basketball player tells you to buy a car, what makes his taste of cars any better than yours? When a Hollywood starlet shares her favorite recipe, are you compelled to try it out? When a politician who has never run a business makes laws that influence corporate budgets and personnel, do you feel it’s going to help the economy?
Peter’s Principle states that “a person is elevated to his level of incompetence.” When a government sucks, blame it on the clueless yet powerful monkeys who made it up in the food chain.
So now that you see the monkeys in your midst, accept them. No need to be exasperated that they don’t make logical sense. They’re monkeys! Move on.
I’m not here to endorse any political party. I trust you’re mature enough to figure this out. And your conclusion my be different than mine. And that’s fine. I may be a monkey too. But I would suggest that you take the Four-Way Test recited in every Rotary meeting (my addition is in blue):
- Is it the truth? Are the facts backed up by reliable witnesses and unbiased reporting?
- Is it fair for all concerned? If the tables were turned, would you accept the rules if it were imposed on you? Don’t be a hypocrite. Would you prosecute any of your political allies if they broke those same rules?
- Will it bring goodwill and better friendship? Is there any room for grace?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Is this a win-win situation?
If your position misses any of these marks, think of the possibility that you’re listening to someone who has more opinion than actual wisdom and the possibility that you’re on the wrong side of the fence.
(Very sleepy now. No more energy to think straight. Be good. See you next week).
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
— James 3:17
TGIF people!
Danger: Millenials Traveling Unsupervised
Shared by Don of Kelowna. B.C.
Watch out! This is really long.
(Of course I couldn’t find any proof that this is a true compilation … unless you consider Huffington Post as legit so my apologies to all you Millennials for this stereotype.)
Abbot and Costello Math Trick
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre
These guys talk a mile a minute. Smoothless performance. At one point, it seemed like Costello actually made sense. Clean, intelligent, classy humor — the best kind!
Reality Check in “Crazy Rich Asians”
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA
Some interesting trivia about the movie.
Don’s Puns
From Don’s collection of puns
Parting Shot
Thanks to Naomi of North Hollywood who shared this photo