Month: September 2013

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serious questions

In case you were unaware, the Intramuralist has at times been quite specific about the love of grammar.  In fact — hands down — my favorite punctuation mark is the question.  Asking questions.  I love it.

 

To ask a question implies humility.  It’s the only punctuation mark that invites a response.  And unless only asking to hear oneself think — and yes, I am making the almighty assumption that the asker actually listens to the answer — to ask means to acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers.

 

Friends, the situation in Syria is serious.  If you aren’t paying attention, I would strongly encourage you to quickly take note.  The situation is intense and evolving, and the potential consequences and results from both action and inaction are ambiguous at best.  Hence, the Intramuralist has many questions.  Why?  Because we don’t have all the answers.

 

One caveat prior to the asking…

Military conflict is not a partisan issue.  There should be no politics involved.  While “shame on you” is a phrase not in my vernacular, if there was a place for the consideration of employment, it would undoubtedly be here.

 

Hence, the questions…

 

What’s new that has led to this level of seriousness?  This conflict has been ongoing since 2011.  According to the latest estimates by the United Nations, more than 70,000 Syrians have died.  Why consider getting involved now?

 

Syrian Pres. Bashar al-Assad has led Syria since 2000, succeeding his deceased father, who was president for 30 years.  What is Assad’s agenda?  Are any of his motives hidden?  What are they?

 

What role do Islamic extremists play?  The terrorist group, Hezbollah, has supported Assad’s government, while the Associated Press has been reporting that a primary rebel group in Syria has pledged allegiance to the terrorist group, al-Qaeda.  Are we aligning with terrorists?  Whose side are we on?  Whose side should we be on?

 

We must therefore extend our questions to address American involvement.  Pres. Obama is advocating interference due to the believed use of chemical weapons.  Pres. Bush advocated involvement after the believed existence of chemical weapons.  Let me ask now:  where did Syria actually obtain their chemical weapons?

 

Should America be involved in the civil war of another?  Is that our job?  Is that our role?    Are we capable of being effective?  And if we aren’t certain it’s effective, should we even entertain the role?

 

Attacking anyone will cost us millions.  Billions.  Maybe more.  We are a country that is continuously spending more than we take in.  Few others in the world have affirmed an attack and committed to support any military intervention.  That means the role is ours; the lead is ours; and the expense is ours.  And the reality is that the cost may mean more than money; it may mean military lives.  Is that too much to pay?

 

Is it America’s calling to be the world’s police?  Was it right under Pres. Bush?  Is it right under Pres. Obama?  Is it ever right?

 

Friends, I have a lot of questions.  I don’t have a lot of answers.  We must acknowledge we don’t have all the answers.  The situation in Syria is serious indeed.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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baaaaaaaaack

In the words of one infamous, fairly muscular Arnold, “I’m baaaaaackkkk!”

And I’m thrilled and psyched to be here!

Friends, what a joy it’s been…

 

First allow me to affirm our excellent guest writers…

They offered insight and opinion that was spoken from their point of view.  Please note… I have never avowed that my perspective or point of view is always right.  I have never opined that my way is the right way nor my thoughts, the right thoughts.  But I have sworn that if any opinion is not respectfully stated, both the opinion and opinion’s holder lose significant credibility.

 

Thank you, writers and loyal readers, for participating during this time.  You spur me — and others — on.

 

Nonetheless, so much has happened.

 

From Syria to sequester’s impact to seasonal summer events, we have witnessed much.  In the past month, the Intramuralist has also toured Boston, NYC, the shore and the shows.  My family has travelled the East Coast.  I have observed and reflected on much, watching people, interacting with many, witnessing both pitfalls and potential, and being both encouraged and challenged.  I want to fire you up! 🙂

 

Hence…

 

I have so much to say.

(…shocking…)

 

Going to war.  Attacking Syria.  What’s our role?  Is it necessary and/or effective for the United States to be the world’s so-called “police”?  What are the long term ramifications?  What’s the cost?  Is it appropriate for us to be the avengers of wrong?

 

When does international law apply?  Does international law apply without willing submission?

 

Congressional recess.  (They sure seem out a lot.)

 

Blurred lines.  Blurred with or without Miley Cyrus.  Blurred lines that have nothing to do with music.

 

Obamacare.  What’s happening with that?  Are you watching?  Is it all good?  Could we admit what’s good? … and what’s not?

 

Cost.  Too high a cost on far too many things.

 

The Little League World Series. The importance of little league.  The importance of play.  Have we forgotten how to play?

 

What about smiles?  Have you seen how few smile on our city subways?  We look down.  Look smug.  Avoid eye contact at all costs.  Why do so many — so many even of us — avoid eye contact?

 

Family.  Loving them.  No matter what.  (No matter what.)  Blood.  Water.  Thickness.

 

Having life figured out.  Not.

 

Balanced opinion. Learning from others.  Learning from the expression of opinion that’s different than ours. Those clever guest writers.  From beats to baseball and family bartenders… from parenting to privacy and uncanny prophecy.  Sitting still long enough to listen and hear what they say.

 

Summer. Yes, summer.  It was grand.

 

There is much to say in the days ahead, friends.  There is also much to learn.

 

Respectfully… always… (and so psyched to be back…)

AR

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blurred lines

[Note:  this post was penned prior to last week’s provocative, public dance by Miley Cyrus. In other words, the lines were already blurry.]

 

Everybody get up!

 

I’m up. I’m dancing like any good un-retired disco queen of the late ’70’s. I love, love, love the beat of this song. It’s being called the song of the summer by media. I’ve watched the Robin Thicke/Jimmy Fallon version of Blurred Lines on YouTube an embarrassing number of times. This version uses school instruments and has a PG-rated solo. It’s a super fun vibe. The band is smiling, jamming, rocking, kidding around and having a terrific time. Then I read the original lyrics on several popular lyric websites.

 

Hey, hey, hey. 

 

Prude would never be a word used to describe me. Each day less and less things make my chin drop. But some of those lyrics… oh, my! Now I know this isn’t the first rap song to use offensive (to me) words but it’s the first nasty rap I really have fun listening to. I want to buy it so bad.

 

You know you want it.

 

There exists controversy over whether or not the song is “misogynistic” or “rapey”, and when I read the words rapper TI sings, I wonder who really resonates with this sex slang. Why does any song any where in any language need to say what he says? This is where I get really confused. And then there is the original music video with nude dancers. They chose to do a remake on that one. Wonder why?

 

If you can’t hear what I’m trying to say. 

 

Why add the obscene? Life can be sad and hard and even cruel all on its own. Why throw more violence and crass images into the universe? But I love the bounce of this song. Perfect for car dancing but I don’t have it on  my iphone because I can’t justify some really bad lyrics in part of the song.

 

Maybe I’m out of my mind.

 

This isn’t about nasty rap; it’s about me trying to convince myself that if the beat is good, I can overlook the really negative message of the words. There is a disconnect with the fun loving, smiling men wearing wedding rings, everything-is-alright-then group singing this terrifically fun song. I actually had that argument in my head. They all look too nice and happy for it to be wrong!

 

Can’t let it get past me.

 

So now I wonder how many other things I excuse the nasty because I like the beat? Books, movies, TV shows, gossip, certain friendships, idle thoughts. Apparently I have selective vision, only focusing on the good and fun stuff when the obscene side is right there as well. It’s just a song, right? No big deal. What’s the real harm in buying the tune and ingraining the lyrics in my head?

 

Maybe I’m going deaf.

 

After 50 plus years I can recognize the little voice that whispers “good choice/bad choice. Sometimes I listen to the voice and sometimes I conveniently ignore it. This time I’m hearing the old adage, “garbage in, garbage out.” I combat that one in my head with “don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.” I really, really  like this song…sort of.

 

I hate these blurred lines.

 

Respectfully,

CB