Yeah, I know this belongs in 'The Bar' but the attempted car bombing in NYC's Times Square is just another painful reminder of the kind of potential world our kids and grandkids are inheriting. What on earth happens to people to make them want to go out and kill strangers en masse? Whatever their gripe (or political ideology), what makes them think that an act such as this is going to garner any kind of sympathy or support for their position? In some ways, it's the ultimate expression of insisting that everyone else come around to YOUR way of thinking. Sure, it's a stretch, but we can certainly see mini-models of this type of behavior even here on SZ. We need to keep in mind that the other guy may have a valid point of view as well.

chas

"See Something.......Say Something"

I'm sitting at the kitchen table with my grandson having breakfast. We have so much to be thankful for, and it's wonderful just to have him with us. He'll be 3 years old in June, he so smart it's scary.

I agree with much of what Chas said--I only wish I could do more to change a lot of things that are going on today, things that will impact his world in the near future.

Gary

Yeah, Gary. I know what you mean. I spent a delightful afternoon with my two (and their dad) which is probably what prompted these feeling. As to your grandson being smart, let's hope that he and his generation are smart enough to see the folly of following OUR generations mindset, and make a safer world for themselves than what we provided for them.

chas

Couldn't believe it. Last night i had a rare gig in NYC at the NYC Athletic Club on Central Park. When I came out at 11PM to load up (and thats another story!! But I did learn that I can fit my whole setup on my mini rack & roller and move it in one shot, so thats a plus ), I kept hearing sirens coming from one direction. Got out of the city no problem and didn't know a thing about it until I put the news on at home.
Scary stuff. NC or Fla. is looking better all the time

Bill in NJ

I find that negative conversations, although at times they are needed do not help but they can bring you down. If I present a negative situation I also give a solution. If there is no immediate solution I keep myself focused on what I can do (personally) to improve my side of the world.

For my wife and I it is marriage counseling and helping those that find it difficult to handle this world.

Chas, this is no reflection on you, it’s just what your post triggered off in me. Too many people complaining and few are doing much about it.

IMHO, John C.

Chas, that is a good questions which we fail to ask and answer to our selfs. If we actually
did that i dont think things like this would be happening, our ignorance does this.
I dont really wanna get into this, it will be heated but just my two cents.
And in my own opinion noone out of boredom will just go out to kill people.
They are not justifiable and very wrong reasons but those reasons trigger them
and those people become with animal instincts in them, this world is a very bad place.

John, I'm going to acknowledge your point of view and respectfully disagree. Refusing to acknowledge the negative things in life is hardly a solution to anything. Also, I wasn't exactly "complaining" and I DID propose that we could begin by respecting the other persons point of view (and by so doing, respect the other person).

My post probably does NOT belong here, but it was not a "negative conversation" as much as an observation about the human condition, along with a suggestion on how we might improve upon it. Again, I respect your opinion and appreciate your comments.

chas

Hey, Chas (you old softee)! You nailed it again, as did Gary. I just picked up my new "adopted" little guy (Andress) from school (didn't feel well).

He's from Mexico and just old enough to begin to worry about the political issues, hate and harassment he's noticing.

Let's ALL do what we can to make the world a better place for our current and future "little ones".


Russ (proud; worried adopted Grandpa) Lay

While I watch an oil disaster creep slowly towards some of the most beautiful beaches in the States (maybe in the world!), potentially ruining not just this season (already hit hard enough by the recession) but potentially devastating the region for decades to come, I am wondering whether 'See something, say something' actually works...

We have been 'saying something' for decades about the risks involved in drilling for oil in one of the most ecologically sensitive, seafood industry important, and tourist intensive areas of the country. Important safeguards are ignored, oil-friendly governments have slashed oversight budgets to the point that it's 'do anything you feel like' for the multi-billion dollar oil industry, and warning after warning are drowned out in a Teabagger rant of 'Drill, baby, drill!'...

'See something, say something' only works if someone is LISTENING.

Pray for us all on the Gulf Coast. We are watching potentially our livelihoods destroyed by the greed and incompetence of Big Oil and an uncaring nation. I guess as long as YOUR gas prices stay low, it's just the cost of doing business, eh?