According to scientists, there have been five times on earth when a “great extinction” has occurred. During those times, much of life on earth was wiped out. It is believed we are now in the sixth great extinction. Humankind seems to be at least partially responsible.

Species are dying off at an alarming rate right now. Numerous species are considered endangered or threatened or have recently died off altogether. By my calculations, none is more endangered, at the moment, than the emotionally adult human capable of responsible, rational thought and behavior. There are a few of these creatures left, but they tend to keep an extremely low profile for reasons of self defense, as they are so severely outnumbered.

They, like so many other things in this modern world, have been deemed obsolete. They are the dinosaurs; but unlike the dinosaurs that perished 75 million years ago, attrition will likely be their ultimate doom; as it is with any other being not replicating itself at a viable pace.

It seems some people cannot live happily without knowing everything. I’m not like that. All I have to do is look up at the stars to realize I know as much about anything as an ant knows about the nuclear workings of the sun; and I accept that. Yet, some folks claim they know the answers to the unknowable. These are generally the dangerous people.

Religion: Please understand I have nothing against religion. In fact, I envy those who have faith in a higher being who created the universe. Personally, though, I’m like Sgt. Shultz from “Hogan’s Hero’s”. “I know nothing!”

Strict adherents to religions, whatever the religion might be, believe they have the one true answer. Everyone who doesn’t believe exactly what they believe is wrong…and often believed to be evil. Since every religion can’t be hitting the nail on the nose, this is dangerously problematic.

I remember hearing of instances, during war, when soldiers were unable to sort out who the enemy and the innocent residents were in a village, they decided to kill everyone and “let God sort it out”. But what if there is no God in the sense they imagine?  Their scheme wouldn’t work. That seems like a big chance to take.

I’ve heard that ISIS fighters will, if they are martyred, go to heaven and be rewarded with the company of 72 virgins. Or 50, or 70. I’m not sure what the Koran actually promises. There seems to be some discrepancy. But, what if the Koran is correct, but those virgins were  groups of women with all the femininity of Bea Arthur, the honest warmth and humility of Hillary Clinton, the singing wiles of a tone deaf Ethel Merman and as snuggly as Nancy Pelosi? Again, that’s way too a big chance to take.

Scriptures weren’t written by God. They were written by men. For example, the Bible contains writings, the selection and inclusion of which, were decided upon by men and doesn’t include other scriptures men decided against. These were men who believed they knew the unknowable.

My point is: Considering the sheer number of religions, it is statistically unwise and arrogant to waste a life in the name of God. If a cognizant God actually exists, I think there’s a really good chance He’d be pissed off.

Of course, if God turns out to be a “She”, rather than a “He”, I will probably have some ‘splainin’ to do regarding my wise cracks about the virgins.

Axioms are by their very nature and definition, true. They embody the wisdom of the ages so readily ignored by those who have come to believe they are smart.

I wish everyone the comfort and security a child feels in their parent’s arms. Merry Christmas.

“THIS PAGE DELIBERATELY LEFT BLANK”

Why do some of my bank statements end with  this printed on the final page? Not only is this a waste of paper, but the words void the message.

I’m always curious how so many people put an emphasis on money. It’s only paper. The only real value it has is that of fuel for the fireplace. It is the faux middleman of economics.

What money represents does have value. Money, when it was based on precious metals could, theoretically be exchanged for a comparable value of the actual metals themselves. Gold and silver are crucial in the manufacture of many products. That is why they have value. Tobacco was used as currency for awhile. It was a product unto itself.

When someone says the rich have more money than their fair share, they point to money as valuable. Those same people rarely complain about the tangible items the rich own. Perhaps this is because the tangible items represent the money the rich have already spent and no longer have sitting in a bank somewhere. The fact is, the tangible items are the wealth. The bank balance is only potential wealth. It becomes wealth when it is spent. Those same complainers also represent potential wealth. They just have to get up off their butts and translate that potential into tangible wealth.  This couldn’t be simpler.

I think many university students base their political perspectives on theories learned in the classroom. Perhaps it’s important to remember the practical sides of things. Never assume you can change a flat tire without actually having changed one. Theory makes a lousy lug wrench and has no muscles.

I was treated to a sound bite from Dianne Feinstein replayed on the radio today, the 29th anniversary of two high profile shooting deaths  in San Francisco.

Referring to the 1978 murders of Harvey Milk and S.F. Mayor, George Mosconi, by (then former supervisor), Dan White, Senator Feinstein said, ” I was the one that found Supervisor Milk’s body, and I was the one to PUT A FINGER IN A BULLET HOLE, TRYING TO GET A PULSE”.

Question:                                                                                                                                                                       Is that how one checks for a pulse?

Answer:                                                                                                                                                                     Yes! (assuming one is an ignoramus whose knee-jerk reactions to critical events are chronically based on little, no, or faulty information.)

Both Liberal and Conservative ideas can have great merit, but great ideas lose their value when promoted by liars and cheats.

The frustration of youth is being too busy to think.

The frustration of seniors is time to think.

My thoughts ,above, are hardly original. Winston Churchill put it best when he said, “Show me a young Conservative and I’ll show you someone with no heart. Show me an old Liberal and I’ll show you someone with no brains”.