Different Points of View

With all the polarization in our country today, it’s interesting to see how the NFL protests are reported by CNN and Fox News. Both news networks have commentators providing different viewpoints, but both have a predominant way they frame the issue. CNN speaks more about the underlying protest of African-American players against violence to African-Americans, and Fox focuses on patriotism. Both are valid points and need to be brought out in civil discussion.

I’m also struck about the discussion over free speech. The problem is that on either the extreme left or right, proponents are in favor of free speech for their point of view not for the other point of view.

We need to get to a point where we can discuss different points of view without villainizing the opposition.

I'm a Pain in the Back

Have any of you suffered from lower back pain? I’ve been a pain in my own back for the last week. When I was younger, occasionally I pulled a muscle while playing sports, but there was an event that caused pain. Now I have pain in my lower back with no discernable event causing it. One of the things that occurs as I get older. A massage helps and I’ve been doing back exercises.

It makes it difficult to sit at the keyboard for very long, therefore this will be a short post.

 

Lessons from Two-Year-Olds at a Playground

I’ve learned a lot lately when taking our two-year-old grandson to the playground. We’re fortunate in Lakewood, CA, where we live to have a number of excellent playgrounds for little kids. Our favorite is at Bolivar Park. It’s a new playground with excellent climbing, swinging and sliding equipment designed for two to five-year-olds in a fenced-in area with both sand and soft rubber material to protect when children fall. And best of all for a grandpa, there are many benches and shade.

Since our grandson is an only child, playgrounds are a good place for him to interact with peers and learn how to share toys. Two-year-olds are at that age where they start interacting with other kids and are learning to communicate. Several observations:

1. They always want to play with the other kids’ toys. No matter what we bring, our grandson is attracted to a ball, car or truck of another kid.
2. They like to chase each other. Great exercise and lots of enjoyment.
3. Sometimes they want to play together and sometimes they want to play alone.
4. There are altercations, at times, when two kids want to play with the same toy. This leads to trying to grab a toy away or stalking the other kid until he puts the toy down. All the kids are starting to learn to share, some more successfully than others.
5. Most of the kids are well-behaved with supervising parents or grandparents there to encourage sharing. Once in a while there’s a bully and typically the “responsible” adult is on a cell phone.
6. The kids play with everyone no matter the gender or race. A real demonstration how biases are taught and not inherent.

Trumpeteers

Who's the leader of the gang,
That's made not for you but me?
D-O-N-A-L-D  T-R-you-M-P!
Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!
Immigrants are unwelcome as can be,
D-O-N-A-L-D  T-R-you-M-P!
Donald Trump!

Mickey Mouse!
Donald Trump!
Mickey Mouse!
Forever build a border wall
High, high, high. High!

Come along let’s sing his praise
While all the country pays!
D-O-N-A-L-D  T-R-you-M-P!
Trumpeteers!
Trumpeteers!
We'll have fun, we'll reject different faces.
We'll do things and send them other places.
All around the country we’re strutting.
Who's the leader of the gang,
That's made for mediocrity?
D-O-N-A-L-D  T-R-you-M-P!
Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!
Fake news is as welcome as can be,
D-O-N-A-L-D  T-R-you-M-P!

Donald Trump!
Mickey Mouse!
Donald Trump!

Mickey Mouse!
Forever watch medical insurance rates go
High, high, high. High!
Come along let’s blame Obama
And fight diversity!
D-O-N-A-L-D  T-R-you-M-P!
Yay Donald!
Yay Donald!
Yay Trumpeteers!